Could hydraulic rams increase our hydro power potential

Much energy is going to waste on many rivers throughout the world due to the fact that development of the power would not be economical or practicable because of the non-availability of an adequate head for conventional turbine-generators. However, the head might be quite adequate for a hydraulic ram installation if in fact a suitable ram mechanism can be developed. The output from the rams might be arranged to flow directly to a surge tank which in turn would supply conventional generating sets, or a storage feature might be introduced, depending on circumstances. In most cases run-of-river sites would be developed through the use of the tunnel system, in which a tunnel would by-pass a rapids or fast water section of river. As a component of a tidal power system, the ability of the hydraulic ram to operate efficiently under very low heads makes it appear very attractive as a means of providing a supply of water to prolong the periods during which the turbines would have an adequate head for their operation. Wave energy, too could be exploited with the aid of a ram. For instance, by means of an array of check gates, high and low-level pools mightmore » be established within a suitable enclosure or caisson, with hydraulic rams arranged to be operated by the available flow from the high to the low pool, the rams delivering water to a surge tank from which, in turn, conventional turbine-generators would operate. (MCW)« less