US 12,410,573 B2
Hydroelectric power generation and desalination
Ilan Sadeh, Herzliya (IL)
Filed by Ilan Sadeh, Herzliya (IL)
Filed on Jul. 5, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/857,331.
Application 17/857,331 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/784,267, abandoned, previously published as PCT/IB2020/061222, filed on Nov. 27, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/217,852, filed on Jul. 2, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 271296 (IL), filed on Dec. 10, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2023/0059325 A1, Feb. 23, 2023
Int. Cl. E02B 9/00 (2006.01); F03B 13/10 (2006.01)
CPC E02B 9/00 (2013.01) [F03B 13/10 (2013.01); F05B 2220/62 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A hydroelectric power generation system comprising:
at least one conduit extending from beneath the sea surface a predetermined depth into the ground below the sea floor level, wherein said at least one conduit conducts gravity-induced seawater flow;
a turbine connected to an underground distal end of each of said at least one conduit to convert gravitational energy of all seawater flowing down said at least one conduit into rotational mechanical energy, wherein all said seawater flowing down said at least one conduit directly is directed onto said connected turbine during hours of high electricity demand;
a generator connected to said turbine to convert said rotational mechanical energy into electrical energy;
a power transmission means to transfer electricity generated by said generator to an electric grid;
an underground seawater reservoir in fluid communication with said at least one conduit and said connected turbine, said underground reservoir configured to:
collect all said seawater flowing down through said at least one conduit and said connected turbine,
dispose of at least a portion of said collected seawater by seepage into the ground to reduce a need for active pumping and enhance energy efficiency, and
store residual seawater not disposed of by seepage for desalination or later controlled release into the sea;
an underground desalination system to desalinate said residual seawater collected in said underground seawater reservoir; and
an underground pumping system, wherein said underground pumping system is configured to:
be selectively activated during low electricity demand hours, and
pump into the sea residual seawater in said underground seawater reservoir and not used for desalination, thereby minimizing energy consumption and optimizing system efficiency.