There is a trade-off with archimedes screws and traditional water wheels. Even though they can be made quite efficient, they are not as efficient as some other technologies. Additionally, the slow turning speed must be converted to higher rpm rotational energy for electrical generation. The combined losses of efficiency mean that a given site will generate less electricity and net profit using older technology.
However, it has been demonstrated that the greater mechanical simplicity of these traditional systems, especially in small scale applications, combined with the ecological benefits, make this a viable business model. One way to look at it, a 60% hydrodynamic efficient site that is running generates more benefit than a 90% efficient site that is not running, cannot obtain a necessary permit or is too costly to implement.
For a commercial enterprise to operate multiple small sites would require a fleet of maintenance workers operating over large distances and the operation and maintenance costs often make smaller sites a poor financial investment. Sophisticated high rpm turbines may require factory servicing. Whereas regionally owned, operated, maintained and repaired systems based on older technology are a viable option.
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