Hydropower Turbine Market Research Report: By Type (Reactive, Impulse, Gravity, Others), By Capacity (Less than 1 MW, Between 1 – 10 MW, Above 10 MW) and By Application (Power Generation, Power Storage, Marine, Aeronautics) – Forecast to 2030

Hydropower Turbine Market Scenario

Hydropower Turbine Market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 3.01% and cross USD 2.86 Billion by 2025.

Hydropower Turbines are highly energy-efficient and have the capacity to convert almost 90% of energy into electricity. These turbines do not need fuel for operating and their maintenance is also very easy and costs less. A type of turbine named reaction turbine is used to develop energy from the moving water and combined pressure action. These turbines can produce maximum power even from a low available water load and high speeds. In hydroelectric power plants, nearly 60% of the turbines are reaction turbines.

Hydroelectricity is the essential renewable energy source responsible for more than 16% of civilian power generation. Hence, hydropower turbines are very useful for this generation of energy. The advanced innovations are introduced in hydropower turbines that can provide energy drawn from small water sources and gives clean energy for small towns, villages, and for personal use which is expected to accelerate the market growth. These turbines are extensively used in ventilation, cooling systems, marine industry, aeronautical sector, and heating in building automation. High demand & potential for hydroelectric power generation, low maintenance cost, outstanding energy conversion, and requirement of zero fuel are the major factors boosting the growth of the market

By Region

• North America: This region is heavily vested in the generation of hydropower as well as releasing the potential application of hydropower turbines in the marine and aeronautics field.

• Europe: Europe has some of the most developed hydroelectricity generation sectors in the world. Norway generates more than 90% of its energy needs via hydropower. Europe prioritizes renewable energy and consequently it is boosting the European market.

• Asia-Pacific: The largest and fastest growing region for this market, Asia-pacific has excellent hydropower potential along with a huge energy demand. The low cost of energy conversion and the renewable nature of hydroelectricity are the chief reasons for its adoption in this region. China leads the world in production of hydroelectricity and India has tremendous hydropower potential that it is just realizing.

• Middle east & Africa: Though a small market, this region boasts the most untapped hydropower potential in the world. The growing industrialization and urbanization within this region are responsible for a growing energy demand which can be met through hydropower. International agencies such as UNIDO are heavily promoting the setting up of micro and small hydroelectric plants throughout this region.

• South America: South America has limited hydropower potential when compared to other regions, but that too is very underutilized. This acts as a driver for the market in the region.

Key Players

• General Electric


• Andritz


• Toshiba Energy


• Kirloskar Brothers Ltd.


• Siemens


• Canyon Industries Inc.


• Hitachi Ltd.


• Cornell Pump Co.


• Canadian Hydro Components Ltd.


• WWS Wasserkraft GmbH


• Capstone Turbine


• Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon

• In July 2017, one of the leading enterprises, NTN Corporation launched NTN Micro Hydro Turbine which is an independent power type compact hydroelectric generator. This innovative turbine offers electricity efficiently by placing it in the existing water channel.


• In February 2019, a world-famous company, GE Renewable Energy secured the contract to supply seven 60MW Francis turbines for the latest power plant named Nachtigal hydropower plant in Cameroon. GE Renewable Energy took this contract worth $87 million conducted with Elecnor in the consortium.


• Moreover, a highly populated organization WEG introduced a new hydro generator for hydropower plants, GH20 Hydro compact design hydro generators that offer high optimization and are supplied with an assembled sliding turbine.

Market Synopsis

The global move towards renewable sources of energy is causing the growth within the global hydropower turbine market.

Hydropower turbines are extremely energy efficient, being able to convert almost 90% of the energy to electricity. They are easy to maintain and require no fuel to function.

Hydroelectricity is the most dominant renewable energy source, responsible for more than 16% of civilian power generation. The use of hydropower turbines is essential for this energy generation.

Newer hydropower turbines are being innovated which can supply energy drawn from small water sources and provide clean energy for small towns, villages and even for personal use, ensuring a growth for this market.

Hydropower turbines are finding utility in cooling systems, ventilation and heating in building automation as well as in the aeronautical sector.

Market USP

Hydropower turbines are extremely energy efficient.

Market Drivers

• The high demand and potential of hydroelectric power generation.


• The excellent energy conversion offered using hydropower turbines.


• Very low maintenance cost


• Increased applicability in building automation, marine industry and the aeronautical industry.


• Requires zero fuel


• Design and manufacture of hydropower turbines is not overtly complex

Market Restraints

• High cost of setting up hydropower turbines due to the need for supporting infrastructure.


• Lack of policy standardization concerning hydropower turbines.

Segmentation

By Type

• Reactive: The largest market within this segment, reactive hydropower turbines are used for low head and medium head applications. The water pressure hitting the turbine varies according to the volume of water available, thereby making it ideal for use where reservoirs can provide water and constant pressure to ensure steady supply.

• Impulse: Impulse turbines ensure a constant water pressure using a nozzle. Thus, the kinetic energy of water is used on the turbine instead of the potential energy. This has application for very high head dams which generate tremendous water pressure that must be regulated.

• Gravity: This turbine coverts rotational energy generated from a liquid vortex. It is ideal for low head applications for typically small energy generation. The rotation improves water quality as well. Perfect for villages and houses next to moving water sources, this is a segment that is growing.

• Others: This includes pump hydropower turbines, turbines use in building automation, etc.

By Capacity

• Less than 1 MW: A growing sector with very little of its full potential being realized, micro hydro power plants can negligible impact on its environment and are an excellent source of power generation for use in the immediate vicinity of the plant. UNIDO is currently implementing these projects throughout Africa, China and India.

• Between 1 – 10 MW: An excellent source of power for developing nations, they are currently underutilized due to the emphasis on first developing large power generation plants. Their potential is tremendous, and they require a moderate amount of capital to build.

• Above 10 MW: This is the fastest and largest segment within this market due to the huge amounts of renewable energy that can be generated without the use of fuel. The Three Gorges dam in China has an installed capacity of 22500 MW and is responsible for supplying over 1.5% of China’s energy need.

By Application

• Power Generation: The largest and fastest growing sector is power generation. Countries like Norway have almost all their energy demands met through hydropower generation and the top countries producing hydropower are China, Canada, US, Russia and India. This segment has tremendous potential worldwide.

• Power Storage: power storage is critical to meet power demands during peak energy consumption times. The bulk of power storage (more than 99%) comes through pumped storage hydroelectricity. This sector completely dominates the power storage segment and continues to grow concurrent with the growth of energy requirement worldwide.

• Marine: Hydropower turbines are increasingly being used to generate power from marine sources through wave energy generation and pumped hydroelectric storage. Special precautions are necessary due to the difference in water properties of marine water (more salinity and other dissolved substances). Though a niche segment, it has the potential to generate enough energy to satiate global demand.

• Aeronautics: Aeronautics are increasingly using hydropower turbines within their ambit due to the fluid dynamics which retain many similar application formulae across liquids and gases.