Micro-Hydro Power - A Clean Source of Energy You Take From Water

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.

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

The Penstock

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 micro-hydro power 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

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

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

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.

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