The hydroelectric turbine for rivers which will revolutionize energy production

Salvatore Mancuso, has a considerable wealth of experience and, even today is very active and dynamic with a dream: to see his invention just patented by the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property for Switzerland and Liechtenstein operational.

We meet Salvatore Mancuso in his office in Sementina, Ticino, where he proudly shows us the Swiss patent of the turbine he has developed to produce clean electricity.

To begin, tell us a little bit about yourself….

I was born in Calabria in 1940 into a large family with economic straits. When I was 14, I began my apprenticeship at the offices of the municipal hydroelectric power plant and matured the idea of attending university. My family could not afford to pay for my studies, so when I was 18 I moved to Rho (Milan) where I found part-time employment with a company as an energy transformer which, allowed me to enroll and attend university where, in 1964 I graduated. Upon completion of my studies, I joined an uncle of mine in Lugano and was hired in Locarno at the Schindler company. Meanwhile here in Ticino, I met Rachelina, also of Calabrian origin, with whom I married in 1967 and we had 2 children. In 1970 I qualified as a motor, generator and transformer technician in Lugano. During these years I also opened a real estate company and in 1992 I opened an electrical appliance store. Today I am retired and I dedicate myself with such conviction to my projects that, I believe, are useful for all mankind.

How did the idea for your invention come about?

Today we always hear about clean energy, alternative energy sources, energy scarcity, c02 and so on… My invention would obviate the problem of energy production, at reduced prices and in a totally clean way with 24-hour energy production without being tied, for example, to the wind in the case of wind turbines, or to the sun in the case of solar panels.

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Please describe your innovative project

It is an immersion turbine that produces electricity by harnessing the energy of water flowing in rivers thus obtaining clean renewable energy. The same can be installed at the side of waterways at a distance of 100 meters from each other and combined with transformers for electricity development. The output of each turbine is up to 6 m³ per second.

And in case of a flood, what happens?

My project involves two floats placed on either side of the wheel adjusting its height obviating the flood problem and making it work with every level of the river.

Sounds very interesting…. what size is one of these turbines?

The standard one is about 2.80 meters high and 3.00 meters wide and could produce between 400 and 600 kWh, then you could also produce a smaller one about 1.50 meters high and 2.00 meters wide that could produce about 200 kwh. It then depends a lot on the river where it is installed. In total, the space required for the installation of each turbine is about 20 square meters at the riverside so as to leave space and respect the flora and fauna.

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I see that your invention has been granted a patent by the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property for Switzerland and Liechtenstein as per the documentation here in evidence

Yes this invention of mine has been patented under Certificate 718 815 B1 and it is a reason of pride for me.

Are they installable in any river?

Certainly, as long as there is a good flow of water. I personally would imagine them more in big rivers such as the Danube that crosses as many as 10 countries, the Rhone, the Rhine, the Mississippi, or the Nile that crosses 7 African states indeed, in Africa with my system one could even obviate the well-known drought problem that plagues these countries.

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This would be wonderful! Today, many European countries also face the drought problem especially in the summer months…. How does this invention of yours work?

It would be enough to connect my turbine to a 10-meter high reservoir from which the water, collected through the blades of the wheel, comes down under pressure being able to go up to 15 km away and be collected in a tank from which it is then purified and sent to another silo to be then delivered to the population.

What do you do in your free time? Is there anything you would like to do that you have not yet had the opportunity to achieve, the very famous “dream” of yourself?

In my free time I like to spend my time with my wife, family, friends, read, discover and learn new things because there is always something to learn in life. As a big dream in the drawer, I would like to see this patent of mine purchased by someone who will put it into practice quickly, considering my age and to be able to see the benefits in person. According to my calculations with my invention the climate goals would be achieved long before 2050 considering that producing a turbine I designed takes about 2 to 3 months.