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Home > Archive > Alternative Power sources > November 2005 > Need suggestions for hydroelectric project.
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Need suggestions for hydroelectric project.
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| Charles Lyttle 2005-11-24, 10:21 pm |
| I am buying a place with 44 ac. of wood and an old mill dam. The Mill
has been sold/given by the previous owners to an historical restoration
project.The dam has about 10' head and flow will be in 5 digits ( well
over 10000gpm). I have no interest in selling power to the grid or
getting tax benefits.
I'm looking for suggestions that would permit me to do all my heating
and cooling without the local utility. I am on a fixed budget, so the
projects must be economical.
thanks.
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| Harry Chickpea 2005-11-24, 11:21 pm |
| Charles Lyttle <lyttlec@centurytel.net> wrote:
>I am buying a place with 44 ac. of wood and an old mill dam. The Mill
>has been sold/given by the previous owners to an historical restoration
>project.The dam has about 10' head and flow will be in 5 digits ( well
>over 10000gpm). I have no interest in selling power to the grid or
>getting tax benefits.
>
>I'm looking for suggestions that would permit me to do all my heating
>and cooling without the local utility. I am on a fixed budget, so the
>projects must be economical.
>
>thanks.
A trompe would probably handle your cooling at very low cost.
Before you buy, the big issue that you want to explore is the
liability involved with the dam itself. Dams require maintenence or
they fail. That work can be quite expensive. There are also state
and Federal agencies that will be wanting to live in your pocket, and
possibly environmental and special interest groups like fishermen that
will want their way.
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| Eric Sears 2005-11-25, 4:21 am |
| Hi Charles
As others have said, you may need to check on what use you are allowed
to make of the dam/water by local authorities - especially at that
flow level.
Here (this part of NZ), local authorities don't take much notice if
your usage is under 25 litres per sec and doesn't actually affect
anyone else - but it can depend on the official you speak to!
Nevertheless, to answer you questions about equipment - I have a "one
off" (made locally) Kaplan runner at my holiday home, which uses up to
about 14 litres a sec at 6 metres of head. (I have 62 acres there)
For the 3 m head that you have, a Kaplan would probably be the most
efficient, though I think it might be difficult to find anything cheap
enough, which would handle even 1000 cub ft per min (=around 460
litres/sec) at 3 metre head.
A better (cheaper) solution for you would probably be a crossflow
turbine. I have been involved with designing (ie modifying) a small
crossflow system that was installed locally, using about 25 l/sec with
a 2m head. Diagrams for building these are available on the web
(search for Shoal Creek Light & Power or just for crossflow turbine).
Its also called a Banki Turbine.
Your potential power available is immense compared with most small
systems - but tapping into it is going to have to cost some dollars!
Best wishes with your project.
Eric Sears
On Thu, 24 Nov 2005 20:25:41 -0500, Charles Lyttle
<lyttlec@centurytel.net> wrote:
>I am buying a place with 44 ac. of wood and an old mill dam. The Mill
>has been sold/given by the previous owners to an historical restoration
>project.The dam has about 10' head and flow will be in 5 digits ( well
>over 10000gpm). I have no interest in selling power to the grid or
>getting tax benefits.
>
>I'm looking for suggestions that would permit me to do all my heating
>and cooling without the local utility. I am on a fixed budget, so the
>projects must be economical.
>
>thanks.
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| m Ransley 2005-11-25, 9:21 am |
| Post at alt.energy.homepower But with that flow you could make alot of
money and done right not even do it your self, companies would do it,
run it, and pay you for the water. I would exploit the situation you
have, its $
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| Michelle P 2005-11-25, 11:21 am |
| http://www.waterwheelfactory.com/
Michelle
Charles Lyttle wrote:
> I am buying a place with 44 ac. of wood and an old mill dam. The Mill
> has been sold/given by the previous owners to an historical
> restoration project.The dam has about 10' head and flow will be in 5
> digits ( well over 10000gpm). I have no interest in selling power to
> the grid or getting tax benefits.
>
> I'm looking for suggestions that would permit me to do all my heating
> and cooling without the local utility. I am on a fixed budget, so the
> projects must be economical.
>
> thanks.
| |
| Charles Lyttle 2005-11-26, 12:21 pm |
| The dam exists. It was built in 1907 and used up into the 1970's. It is
pretty silted up, so storage is low. The down stream neighbors would
like it cleaned, if possible, to help with some of the local flood
problems. Others miss the old mill and wheel that once stood there.
As things stand any flow that doesn't go through the gate, goes over the
top, so I won't be affecting normal down stream flow. I do have a
lawyer looking into my making non-commercial use of the dam.
Harry Chickpea wrote:
> Charles Lyttle <lyttlec@centurytel.net> wrote:
>
>
>
>
> A trompe would probably handle your cooling at very low cost.
>
> Before you buy, the big issue that you want to explore is the
> liability involved with the dam itself. Dams require maintenence or
> they fail. That work can be quite expensive. There are also state
> and Federal agencies that will be wanting to live in your pocket, and
> possibly environmental and special interest groups like fishermen that
> will want their way.
| |
| Charles Lyttle 2005-11-26, 1:21 pm |
| Thanks everyone.
I have decided to use a classic water wheel rather than a turbine. That
is purely emotional : It can be made to look good and will make some of
my older neighbors happy. I also think I can get some grants to do the
work if I keep things visually "historical".
I guess my next step is to get some actual flow data starting now up to
placing any orders. Also any links to site-preparation for a water
wheel project would be a help.
I've got an EE, ME, Biologist, and CE on the project (me, #2son, #1
daughter, #2 daughter), but none have done anything less than 500Mw.
The dam has had a considerable impact on the stream. It has built up
abut 15 acre of flat bottom land behind it. If I clean up part of the
pond, it will affect the life in the stream, possibly the water table,
and plant life in the area.
Charles Lyttle wrote:
> I am buying a place with 44 ac. of wood and an old mill dam. The Mill
> has been sold/given by the previous owners to an historical restoration
> project.The dam has about 10' head and flow will be in 5 digits ( well
> over 10000gpm). I have no interest in selling power to the grid or
> getting tax benefits.
>
> I'm looking for suggestions that would permit me to do all my heating
> and cooling without the local utility. I am on a fixed budget, so the
> projects must be economical.
>
> thanks.
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| Charles Lyttle 2005-11-26, 1:21 pm |
|
thanks for the link. I know the wheel at Dollywood, one of my kids works
there.
Michelle P wrote:[color=darkred]
> http://www.waterwheelfactory.com/
> Michelle
>
> Charles Lyttle wrote:
>
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