OU professor proposes modular hydropower pilot on Illinois River; estimates $1M startup, 8–10 year payback

Dr. Reza Sayedkandezi, a University of Oklahoma power-systems researcher, on April 7 told the Tahlequah City Council he has prepared a conceptual plan to deploy modular vortex turbines, microscale pumped storage and solar photovoltaic integration along the Illinois River as an eco‑friendly pilot project and “living laboratory.”

“The estimation is somewhere around 1 million dollar,” Dr. Sayedkandezi said, adding that the pilot could generate about $110,000 a year and “have a breakeven of 8 to 10 years.”

The proposal, introduced during the council’s announcements and presentations segment, emphasizes minimizing construction impacts on the river. Dr. Sayedkandezi described inverter‑based power electronics, AI control and filtration modules to reduce environmental disruption and to improve water quality by filtering pollutants. He said the system would be modular and “passive” so it would not require dams or major in‑stream construction.

Why it matters: the project combines renewable generation with on‑site monitoring and education opportunities, the presenter said. Dr. Sayedkandezi described uses for K–12 and university research, workforce development and potential priority energy access for tribal and low‑income users in expansion phases.

Key technical and budget details offered by Dr. Sayedkandezi include:

- Core components: modular vortex turbines, microscale pumped storage, inverter‑based control, solar PV and filtration modules to protect turbines and improve river water quality. - Pilot budget breakdown (presenter’s estimate): roughly $200,000 for vortex turbines; $200,000 for pumped hydro; $300,000 for PV; $120,000 for engineering/permits/contingency; $90,000 site work. - Estimated annual revenue for the pilot: about $110,000; estimated breakeven: eight to 10 years. - Midline scale target: a 2.5 MW expansion by 2028 that the presenter said could supply “about 10% of residential demand” (presenter’s estimate) for the locality.

Funding and next steps: Dr. Sayedkandezi said a combination of grants and partnerships would be needed. He identified the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) for early‑stage support and said the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation had relevant funding opportunities for larger demonstrations. Councilor Josh Mallon asked whether the presenter would help pursue grants; Dr. Sayedkandezi said yes and described a collaborative, multi‑partner proposal strategy.

Council and public response: reporters and councilors asked technical and funding questions during a short public Q&A. Lee Guthrie, identified as media, asked how construction would avoid disturbing the river; Dr. Sayedkandezi replied the design would “branch out from the river” and return flow so the project would “not eliminate any flow from the river.” Council members and staff expressed interest in additional briefings and follow‑up meetings.

Limits and next actions: the council did not take any formal action on the proposal at the April 7 meeting. Dr. Sayedkandezi and Councilman Keith Daigle said they would gather stakeholder feedback, pursue feasibility study funding and schedule follow‑up meetings. The presenter described the plan as conceptual and said a 2025 feasibility study and a 2026 pilot installation (if approved and funded) were part of his suggested timeline.

Quotes (exact):

“I am Reza Sayedkandezi. I’m a faculty at University of Oklahoma specializing on power systems and renewable energy resources,” Dr. Sayedkandezi said when introducing himself. He later summarized the pilot budget: “The estimation is somewhere around, 1, million dollar. Okay? That could create an annual revenue of hundred and 10 k. So, basically, this, project could have a breakeven of 8 to 10 years.”

Councilor Josh Mallon asked: “Are there grants associated with this? Because that’s a lot of money for this community.” Dr. Sayedkandezi replied that OCAST, DOE and NSF programs were potential sources and that a collaborative proposal would strengthen chances for funding.

Ending: City staff and the presenter agreed to share the proposer’s PDF and to set a follow‑up meeting to collect input from the Cherokee Nation, local environmental stakeholders and other partners. No votes or funding commitments were made at the meeting.