Cascade Hydropower Concept
Optimise Lowland Rivers With Cascade Hydropower
The Cascade Hydropower Turbine was created by Tomislav Tesla with the vision of harnessing lowland rivers to their maximum potential.
While conventional hydroelectric power plants typically harness only up to 60% of a river's available kinetic energy, the Tesla Cascade Turbine is engineered to capture up to 90%, dramatically increasing renewable energy generation from the same water resource. Specifically designed to operate efficiently with a head of just 2–4 metres, it unlocks the vast untapped potential of low-head rivers that have traditionally been unsuitable for conventional hydropower systems.
The turbines can be strategically placed in parallel along a river channel to optimise energy capture. Additionally, where riverbeds allow, they can be positioned side by side, effectively doubling energy output.
Example : A 1mw system could easily be expanded to a 2mw system running side by side and could be expanded even further due to water availability.
The turbines are equipped with remote monitoring capabilities and will incorporate AI-driven data management systems, providing real-time performance insights and energy generation analytics.
A 1 MW Tesla Cascade Turbine operates at just 10 revolutions per minute RPM), a design choice that minimises wear and tear, extends service life, and ensures low maintenance costs. Thanks to its low-speed operation, friction and mechanical fatigue are significantly reduced. Unlike traditional hydroelectric plants, this turbine does not retain sediment, and its design makes it highly resistant to abrasive sediment movement at flow speeds averaging 3 m/s.
A small-scale prototype of the Tesla Cascade Turbine has already been developed and tested, validating its efficiency and potential for commercialisation.
Proposed Project For The River Danube- Serbia - 168MW
The proposed cascade hydropower plant on the Danube River is
designed to harness a water drop of 3.2 meters with a flow capacity of up to 5,600 m³/s.
Key Specifications
✅ Installed Capacity: 168 MW.
✅ Annual Production: Over 500 GWh.
✅ Turbines: 56 units × 3 MW.
✅ Generators: 28 units × 6 MW, strategically installed below water level.
Strategic Advantages
✅ Lifespan: With proper maintenance, the plant can operate for more than 500 years.
✅ Maintenance Model: Allocation of up to 10% of annual revenue ensures timely equipment replacement, overhauls, and distribution network upgrades.
✅ Efficient Construction: Factory-built components allow for assembly within 1 year directly in the riverbed.
✅ Land Ownership: The riverbed is classified as state land, simplifying construction permit acquisition.
Environmental & Operational Benefits
✅ Sediment Flow: Free passage of river sediments preserves ecosystem balance.
✅ Clean Energy: Utilizes natural river flow for sustainable electricity production.
✅ Waste Capture: Integrated system collects plastics and waste, automatically transferring them downstream to barges.
✅ Smart Operations: Advanced sensors and mobile applications monitor water levels to the centimeter, ensuring optimized output, navigation stability, flood control, and land reclamation.
✅ Flow Management: Water flow is temporarily halted at night to maximize electricity generation during the day.