Nowadays, water wheels are being recognized once again as a promising technology , especially in the micro hydropower field for electricity generation (installed power typically lower than 100 KW). Water wheels work well with very low heads and flow rates, for example in irrigation and mill canals, where conventional turbines (such as Kaplan turbines) are economically not viable. Water wheels are eco-friendly machines because fish can pass through them unharmed. Furthermore, their payback periods are shorter (7-12 years) concerning Kaplan installations. The European Small Hydropower Association estimates that in Europe about 350,000 sites suitable for similar micro hydropower plants exist.https://www.prescouter.com/2016/10/water-wheels-hydropower/