Our History
In 2009, frustrated with the rising cost of electricity and fascinated with the force of water flowing in local irrigation canals Tony Griffin began developing a hydroelectric generating system. Tony, who grew up ranching in Meeteetse, WY has worked with building engines since a young boy. He is a certified Aviation Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic and all-around “motorhead” as his wife, Amanda, calls him. With faith, perseverance, and support from family and friends, Tony is now patent-pending on a drive system that has the capability to generate watts, kilowatts, even up to megawatts of electricity from irrigation canals depending on the size, flow rate and/or head of the site. The system makes it even possible to generate large amounts of electricity in low-flowing ditches with the installation of a series of smaller generators throughout the ditch or in conjunction with step-up transformers.
The concept of using the power of water for energy has been around for centuries. The most common type in use today is hydroelectric dams. Water is forced at great pressure through a turbine which turns a generator and produces electricity. For this process, the water has to be cleaned first by passing through settling ponds and/or screens. The construction of these systems costs millions of dollars and while a few generate megawatts of electricity are not feasible in most areas.
The Griffin Generator works by being suspended above flowing water on a steel frame constructed on the outside of the canal edges. The system can be lowered vertically into the flowing water or horizontally into falling water. Water turns the paddle wheels and the novel drive system, which is completely enclosed and permanently lubricated, transfers the energy from the paddle wheels into a power take-off (pto) shaft to turn a generator, irrigation pump, or any device that can be pto or drive-line driven. The generator then produces electricity that can be put into the grid through a net meter or grid tie.
The prototype installed in a canal within a local irrigation district is currently powering an 11,000 watt, 480 volt, 3 phase generator. The frame can fit four systems making it capable of producing 44kwh for as long as water flows under it. Faster flowing water usually found in drops in the canals has the power to turn even larger generators producing greater kilowatts of electricity. The units are also being tested to run motors for pivot and spray sprinklers.
The most beneficial part of the design is that it does not disturb the water from its natural state flowing through the irrigation canal thus not interfering with this valuable resource so vital to farmers.
The units are being licensed and sold under Griffin Hydrower Inc. which anticipates opening a manufacturing plant in Cody, WY.
The concept of using the power of water for energy has been around for centuries. The most common type in use today is hydroelectric dams. Water is forced at great pressure through a turbine which turns a generator and produces electricity. For this process, the water has to be cleaned first by passing through settling ponds and/or screens. The construction of these systems costs millions of dollars and while a few generate megawatts of electricity are not feasible in most areas.
The Griffin Generator works by being suspended above flowing water on a steel frame constructed on the outside of the canal edges. The system can be lowered vertically into the flowing water or horizontally into falling water. Water turns the paddle wheels and the novel drive system, which is completely enclosed and permanently lubricated, transfers the energy from the paddle wheels into a power take-off (pto) shaft to turn a generator, irrigation pump, or any device that can be pto or drive-line driven. The generator then produces electricity that can be put into the grid through a net meter or grid tie.
The prototype installed in a canal within a local irrigation district is currently powering an 11,000 watt, 480 volt, 3 phase generator. The frame can fit four systems making it capable of producing 44kwh for as long as water flows under it. Faster flowing water usually found in drops in the canals has the power to turn even larger generators producing greater kilowatts of electricity. The units are also being tested to run motors for pivot and spray sprinklers.
The most beneficial part of the design is that it does not disturb the water from its natural state flowing through the irrigation canal thus not interfering with this valuable resource so vital to farmers.
The units are being licensed and sold under Griffin Hydrower Inc. which anticipates opening a manufacturing plant in Cody, WY.
Griffin Hydropower
Inventor Tony Griffin
Tony & Amanda Griffin
