Micro-hydro power: a clean way to utilize running water and get off the grid

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	Micro-Hydro Power - A Clean Source of Energy You Take From Water Micro-hydro power - for those fortunate to live near a river or stream - seems a bit like a gift from heaven. For one thing, unlike solar power or wind power, you aren't at the mercy of the weather for your power. As long as you have a constant flow of water and there is sufficient pressure, you will have a constant source of energy. But running water alone won't be enough. You also need pressure - the type made by water pouring on top of water. So you'll need running water, and it must be running downhill steep enough to produce pressure. You'll need to place a pipe that is 2-4 inches upstream. The water will be forced through the pipe running downhill where it will create pressure naturally. At the bottom of the hill, the water shoots out of the pipe into a turbine that will generate electricity. Then the water returns to the stream, unchanged except for the loss of a little kinetic energy. Micro-hydro Power Equipment: What You Will Need: Piping 2-4 inches in diameter to carry the water to the turbine (the technical term is penstock) A turbine-generator A regulator and a diversion load Batteries and an inverter I'll discuss each one of these in detail. The Penstock This can be made from any type of material. The most popular is PVC because it is the cheapest. But it can also be made from steel or plastic piping. You want your pipe to run as straight as possible. Any bends or turns will slow down the water and reduce the pressure of your system. At the top of the pipe, where the water comes in (the water intake), you'll need to place a strainer to keep debris from entering the penstock and plugging the nozzles supplying water to the turbine. Also, if you live in an area where temps get to 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below, your pipe should be either buried or insulated, to keep it from freezing. The Turbine-Generator This generator is made to run with water. High-pressure jets of water turn a propeller, which is also known as a runner. This creates your micro-hydro power. The runner is attached to a shaft that runs through the generator (also known as an alternator) that spins a powerful magnetic rotor. The spinning magnet produces electricity which is stored in a battery bank. The Regulator and Diversion Load The great thing about a constant current of water is it never stops. The big problem with a constant current of water is it never stops. This can be a problem when your battery is full. You don't want your batteries to become overcharged. That's where a regulator comes in. It makes sure that your batteries don't overcharge. When they're full, the regulator shunts the power over to a diversion load. This is something that will bleed off the excess Micro-hydro power. A space or water heater is a good way to use up the excess power your micro-hydro power system creates. Batteries and the Inverter The power that comes out of your generator will be a direct current of electricity. Because most of your appliances will run on alternating current, you will need an inverter. Store the power you collect from the water into the battery box in direct current (DC) form. Then when you need it,run it through the inverter to convert it. Want More Information? A great book that discusses all sorts of renewable energy in detail, including micro-hydro power is Rex A. Ewing's excellent book, Power with Nature. He discusses solar, wind and Micro-hydro power and makes all of it understandable with great, specific instructions. Learn More About Going Off the Grid Learn how to make your own solar books with this helpful program. It's not just for a great day at the beach, but the sun can be a great source of energy as well. Learn about harnessing power from the sun. Is it always breezy where you live? You can use all that air to save money. Learn how harnessing the wind is becoming an increasingly viable source of electricity. If you have a small stream nearby, you not only have a source of water, but you could also have a potential source of energy. Learn more here. Want to use that rain on days when it's dry? You can with a rain barrel. Learn why a cistern is great source of back up water for emergency purposes. Find out if solar power is right for you. If you don't have water pumped into your house, you will need an alterative way to deal with waste. Enter the Composting Toilet - How it works and why you should have one. Learn how to make a solar-powered hot water heater with this helpful guide. For the hard-core, off the gridder: The Methane Digester and How it Works. Do you have a drilled well and still want to use it, even when you have no power? Then learn more about a deep well hand pump. Learn the importance of going off the grid. If you live in the country now, or you are considering country life in the future, you will soon realize you don't always have a reliable source of power for your home. That's why knowing a little bit about generators and owning one is so important. Learn more. So what separates the portable propane generator from other generators? You'll find that a propane generator is less expensive to run than the gasoline version, saving you money. Also propane is a much cleaner fuel that produces fewer toxic fumes, making it safer to use around the home. Read more. Using windmills may not be the easiest way to provide power for your home, but if you have the right system and are willing to put in the work, you could have an energy source that will last for years and save you thousands of dollars. Learn more. If you live in a sunny area, solar panels could be a great way to get off the grid. Learn more. Wood burning cook stoves are the epitome of self reliance when it comes to heating your home and cooking food. But be aware there is a learning curve to using this appliance from the past. Learn more. New! Comments Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. Return from Micro-Hydro Power to the home page.	Build Your Own Chicken Tractor! *You Can Build a Chicken Tractor* Provides you with step-by-step instructions on how to build a chicken tractor and also provides helpful information on how to get free wood and how your chickens can pay for themselves. Click Here learn more. Search This Site: Subscribe to my free ezine! Successful Homesteading is a bi-weekly e-zine covering everything about self-reliance and the healthy, frugal life. Imagine! Great tips on organic gardening, self reliance, frugal living and frugal recipes on a regular basis and sent straight to your ebox! Click here to subscribe. 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