Hydroelectric energy systems, and related components and methods

A hydroelectric energy system comprising:

• a stator comprising a first plurality of electricity-generating elements;
• a rotor comprising a second plurality of electricity-generating elements, wherein the rotor is disposed radially outward of an outer circumferential surface of the stator and configured to rotate around the stator about an axis of rotation, wherein the rotor is a flexible belt structure having a variable radial thickness in an axial direction of the rotor;
• and
• at least one blade portion extending radially inward with respect to the rotor and at least one blade portion extending radially outward with respect to the rotor, wherein the at least one radially outward extending blade portion extends radially from a base, the base extending axially along and being fastened to a surface of the rotor.

A method of manufacturing a hydroelectric energy system, the method comprising:

• assembling a concrete stator;
• sliding a plurality of composite arcs forming a rotor around a radially outer circumferential surface of the concrete stator, wherein sliding the composite arcs comprises sliding the composite arcs over a plurality of teeth on the concrete stator;
• and
• bolting the teeth to the concrete stator.