Published: 5 hours ago

Two Harare-based engineers have developed a groundbreaking hydropower engine and pump that promises to generate electricity without relying on rivers, lakes, or dams. The invention, which harnesses water stored in tanks mounted on tall buildings, could revolutionize Zimbabwe's energy sector and reduce reliance on imported power.

Electrical engineer Edmas Gozo and water engineer Jeremia Sundire, the minds behind the innovation, explained that their system uses turbines placed between water tanks. The movement of water within the system powers the turbines, producing electricity continuously while recycling the water through the mechanism.

"Unlike in other common hydropower plants, the water is not wasted away, but keeps rotating in the systems of our new power model, as it infinitely generates electricity," Gozo told NewsDay Weekender.

The concept was first developed in 2010, with the complete model finalized by 2013. On Tuesday, the inventors launched the system in Harare, demonstrating its capabilities at an event attended by representatives from the Ministry of Energy and Power Development.

Gozo and Sundire said their invention could generate an average of 300 megawatts, with the potential for higher outputs depending on demand. They are now seeking investors to produce a commercial prototype and showcase it at international energy expos.

"Three hundred megawatts of electricity is our average production, but we can produce more electricity using our invention depending on the demand. We will be able to produce energy not only for Zimbabwe, but for the whole of SADC," Gozo said.

Sundire added that the current demonstration is a dummy model, highlighting the need for funding to build a fully operational prototype.

The engineers also emphasized the environmental benefits of the system. "The energy we produce is clean. We are not burning anything. We are not polluting anything and, therefore, ours is green energy conversion," Gozo said.

The invention is registered with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) under application number PCT/AP2011/000003. Zimbabwe currently imports 300MW of electricity from South Africa and 100MW from Mozambique to meet local demand, highlighting the potential impact of this homegrown solution on the country's energy security.
- newsday

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