What Lies Beneath

By Chris



For many years inventors and alternative energy enthusiasts have dreamed of tapping into the energy of fast-flowing rivers. During the previous year, Verdant Power harnessed the force of the East River, which surges through New York City. The company placed six 16-foot-tall turbines on the river floor, which generates 7100 kilowatt hours of electricity at a slightly higher cost than traditional sources. The project stopped for technical reasons, but the turbines will be refitted next month, says Trey Taylor, Verdant's president. He predicts that the project could eventually supply electricity to more than 8,000 homes.