Leviathan Energy Hydroelectric Ltd. to develop with EUREKA grant

Gadi of Leviathan explains the working of the BenKatina hydroelectric turbine

Leviathan Energy Hydroelectric Ltd. was awarded a grant from the EUREKA program to develop an in-pipe turbine aimed at providing a power-generating solution for water transported from mountainous areas.

One of 250 projects each year that received the EUREKA label, Israel-based Leviathan Energy Hydroelectric has partnered with two Italian companies, Fontana SRL and ENCO Engineering Consultants SRL, to develop a model that is to deliver up to 50KW per hour.  The BenKatina turbine is typically installed within a pipe and generates electricity by utilizing the water flowing through it. The model is to be tested in the Alps of Northern Italy.

EUREKA, a pan-European industrial R&D network, is comprised of 40 European governments, including the European Union, as well as commercial and research entities within the member countries, EUREKA promotes the principle of partnership aimed at advancing civilian industrial research and development. Its core concept is to promote marketable technologies for non-military application. Israel is its only non-European member, joining in 2000 which holds this year’s EUREKA’s rotating presidency, voted in three years ago.

BenKatina hydroelectric turbine for downhill water flow system

Leviathan is now set to develop and several models according to the specifications supplied by partner businesses partners Fontana SRL and ENCO Engineering Consultants are to supply specifications for Leviathan to develop. Leviathan’s highly-efficient patent-pending hydroelectric turbine performs in a wide range of conditions. The BenKatina was designed to generate electricity under conditions that were previously considered uneconomic. It was meant to be integrated into any existing or planned downhill flow system. These systems can be fresh water or waste water. They can be from industrial output or municipal flows, gutters, and more.  The BenKatina design can be offered in different sizes, each providing power generation accordingly.

In association with the office of the Israeli Chief Scientist, Leviathan hopes that it will lead to further cooperation among the partners who are operating projects in Italy. The current project is expected to proceed over a period of a year and a half.

The BenKatina is named for a High Priest at the time of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, who found a way to transport fresh water from the Gihon Spring to Jerusalem’s Temple Mount.

‘I am proud of the accomplishments of our team in finding ways to bring more renewable energy into the world from a previously neglected source,’ says Dr. Daniel Farb, founder of the Leviathan Energy group.

The Leviathan Energy Group, a member of iConsortium, the Israel Energy and Security Consortium, also develops and markets other renewable energy innovations. The prototype small-wind turbine, the Wind Lotus deployed at the Sde Boker Field school was recently connected to the Israel national power grid and its next generation small-wind turbine the Wind Tulip is slated to go into mass production in the near future. Other leviathan innovative technologies include harnessing ocean energy and augmenting large-wind turbines for higher efficiency. At the recent  international Cleantech Open 2010 competition for the best ideas in clean technology, the Leviathan Energy group, won both second and third prizes for the Israel branch of the competition for two of Leviathan’s wind energy companies.