History tells us the "American garage" is and has been the inception of great innovation. In 2015, we (Brian A. Nedberg and Gerald D. Hartford, Jr., PE), formed (DES) Dakota Energy Systems, LLC. For years, they designed, built and tested prototypes for a clean, green carbon-free Hydro Electric Power System (HEPS) technology that will "harvest" electricity from flowing water (or low viscosity fluids) in an open-loop or closed-loop piping system. They achieved and received their US Utility Patent in December 2017. The DES Hydro Electric Power System is true example of a breakthrough, simple "garage" innovation!
The HEPS can be implemented within a municipal utility system, water and wastewater treatment plants, industrial or manufacturing facilities as well as commercial buildings that operate (constant volume) for any extended period of time, i.e. 12/16/24 hours per day, through a highly-efficient turbine and generator system, "harvesting" energy from the otherwise inefficient pumping/piping system, in order to enhance our sustainability efforts. The "harvested" energy can be used internally or sold back to the grid.
We are confident the "market" will embrace this energy harvesting technology because it is so simple to apply, while at the same time accommodating a low first cost, it allows for a rapid return on investment (ROI), it requires a small footprint, and it offers low annual maintenance costs.