A low-head dam is defined as one having an elevation difference of less than 15 feet

There are over 72,000 low-head dams across the United States.

These were primarily constructed prior to 1950 on non-commercially navigable rivers to provide flood control and a reliable source of water for adjacent industries.

There is very little standardization in the design of the dam structures.  Most are operated and maintained by local government agencies or the Army Corp of Engineers.

The water turbulence on the downstream side of the dam is considered extremely dangerous and inhibits recreational use of the river.

The Williams Cross-Flow Turbine is a patented hydroelectric generation system specifically engineered for low-head dams with less than 15 feet of head. It captures energy from river flow by channeling water through a cross-flow turbine design that operates at low rotational speeds (under 50 RPM), producing clean electricity efficiently while minimizing environmental and safety impacts.

The technology is designed for low-head dams, defined as dams with an elevation difference of less than 15 feet. These dams are typically older, constructed before 1950, and are found across the United States. The Williams Cross-Flow Turbine adapts to various non-standard dam geometries to convert existing infrastructure into renewable energy assets.

Independent laboratory testing at Central State University has demonstrated hydraulic energy conversion efficiencies exceeding 80%, which is comparable to or better than many conventional hydroelectric technologies but optimized specifically for low-head dam applications.

The primary audience includes electric utilities, dam owners and local authorities, renewable energy developers, infrastructure investors, and academic or policy stakeholders interested in low-head hydroelectric generation and infrastructure reuse.

No, the company operates fully online as an information-driven business without direct retail transactions or bookings. The website serves to engage stakeholders such as investors, utilities, and project developers by providing technical data and research results rather than processing orders or service appointments.

The turbine operates at low rotational speeds and features a cross-flow design that reduces harm to aquatic life. The system uses biologically inert composite materials to minimize ecological impact and is designed to improve river safety by mitigating hazardous downstream hydraulics commonly found at low-head dams.

The turbine's modular construction allows for single-truck transportability and single-point crane lifting, simplifying logistics and reducing installation costs. This design flexibility supports adaptation to various dam geometries, facilitating quicker and more cost-effective field deployment, especially at smaller or remote sites.

The leadership team combines over 30 years of utility engineering and project management experience with expertise in renewable energy finance and infrastructure investment. CEO Paul R. Kling, PE, PMP has extensive utility-sector experience, while board members bring backgrounds in patent innovation and global renewable energy finance, ensuring sound technical and commercial execution.

Yes, kW River Hydroelectric is developing a full-scale prototype based on university research, with plans to install and interconnect a pilot system at a low-head dam in the City of Hamilton, Ohio. This includes managing environmental permits and regulatory coordination for commercial operation.

The company's patented Williams Cross-Flow Turbine is uniquely designed specifically for low-head dams rather than adapted from high-head or traditional technologies. It features high efficiency, low RPM operation, modular design for easy deployment, and integrates improved river safety and ecological compatibility, setting it apart in the renewable hydroelectric market.

The turbine design re-engineers water flow to reduce dangerous downstream turbulence, a common hazard at many low-head dams. This improves recreational safety for boaters and anglers while converting these sites into productive clean energy assets.

The company is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, and primarily focuses on the Midwest U.S. states including Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois, with plans to expand nationwide as it commercializes its technology.

The company provides design consultations, manuals, technical support, and comprehensive project management services to guide stakeholders from prototype development through commercial installation and grid interconnection.

kW River Hydroelectric actively pursues non-equity government grants to support early project development, which can help reduce risk and improve returns for private investors and project sponsors.