He's right.
My expertise (37 yrs, 38 in Jan) is in HVAC with air & ductwork (Ventilation Systems) but the Laws of Physics don't change. The principles for pipe, water and 'Head Pressure' for a Turbine is the same as for air, ductwork and 'static pressure' for fans (or Air Handling Unit).
This 'plan' is a boondoggle of the Nth degree.
I’ll bet Nikola Tesla would have had some interesting ideas about this!
NO different than ethanol then.