Alternative Power sources - LF: Microhydro generation Info

Author

LF: Microhydro generation Info

fscott

2006-12-16, 1:25 pm

(I posted this in alt.energy.renewal before I realised this newsgroup
existed)...

I have a reasonably constant flow river running through my property
(upstream
dam), with a 200' foot long segment of rapids (keeping the water open
all winter), approx 5' drop start-finish, typically 2-3' deep (don't
know the flow rate, but as a general indication, its enough to sweep a
person away if they attempted to walk through the rapids). I'm thinking

that I'd like to immerse some sort of turbine in the rapids, and feed
electric heaters in my home (completely separate from the existing
hydro connections) to offset the winter oil furnace costs . Probably
need approx 3KW of continuous power. I'd like to avoid the
cost/complexity of a supporting battery system. I've had a quick look
through the internet, but the micro-power systems seem to be of the 1KW

variety. I'd also like it to be small enough that I could remove it for

the summer, when the water level is much lower (and hence not be an
eyesore for my neighbours). Has anyone had any experieces in this
particular area, and could recommend some product sources? Or any other

general advice on how to proceed...

somebody@somewhere.com

2006-12-16, 1:25 pm

On 16 Dec 2006 08:11:38 -0800, "fscott" <fscott@storm.ca> wrote:

>(I posted this in alt.energy.renewal before I realised this newsgroup
>existed)...
>
>I have a reasonably constant flow river running through my property
>(upstream
>dam), with a 200' foot long segment of rapids (keeping the water open
>all winter), approx 5' drop start-finish, typically 2-3' deep (don't
>know the flow rate, but as a general indication, its enough to sweep a
>person away if they attempted to walk through the rapids). I'm thinking
>
>that I'd like to immerse some sort of turbine in the rapids, and feed
>electric heaters in my home (completely separate from the existing
>hydro connections) to offset the winter oil furnace costs . Probably
>need approx 3KW of continuous power. I'd like to avoid the
>cost/complexity of a supporting battery system. I've had a quick look
>through the internet, but the micro-power systems seem to be of the 1KW
>
>variety. I'd also like it to be small enough that I could remove it for
>
>the summer, when the water level is much lower (and hence not be an
>eyesore for my neighbours). Has anyone had any experieces in this
>particular area, and could recommend some product sources? Or any other
>
>general advice on how to proceed...

You're asking a lot. You have a low head situation on a good sized
river. In the U.S., the bureaucratic crap alone would prevent you
doing much of anything. Even if you don't have that, you have
potential damage from ice flows during warm spells, freezing during
cold spells, and destruction from debris like branches, logs, dead
cows, and other flotsam.

The standard setup would be a weir, trash grate, diversion channel or
pipe, and a vertical frances or maybe kaplan type of broad bladed
turbine. That is a permanent setup, involving poured concrete forms,
etc., and it costs bucks.

Thousand watt microhydro units are common because they are based on
automotive alternators or generators and are sized to work in many
situations. The designs have been worked out, and the large supply
keeps costs down.

There is some playing around you can do, but don't expect to save
money. You could moor a rowboat or float in the middle of the
channel, using steel cables to fix it in position. You would then use
this as a support for an underwater propellor or an undershot
paddlewheel to get a few hundred watts if you are lucky. You would
have to use belts or gears to speed up the rotation to turn the
alternator, then step up the voltage to get it to your house and the
resistance heaters.

Understand that whenever you put a paddlewheel or propellor in a
flowing stream of water, the water is going to find the resistance,
and then flow around it. That cuts or can even eliminate the useful
power.

To do the job successfully, get the permits, use 12" diameter or
greater pipe, and build a solid turbine and generator housing that can
withstand flood stage events. Some of the earlier Homepower issues
have articles on setups like this.

Bernard Bélisle

2006-12-16, 1:25 pm

Go to this site www.electrovent.com and look for hydro-alternator and
picture on how to make your small hydro power system with a waterwheel.

<somebody@somewhere.com> a écrit dans le message de news:
3tf8o2dfdda3e3q8iccmo1ubprbrig1utf@4ax.com...
> On 16 Dec 2006 08:11:38 -0800, "fscott" <fscott@storm.ca> wrote:
>
>
>
> You're asking a lot. You have a low head situation on a good sized
> river. In the U.S., the bureaucratic crap alone would prevent you
> doing much of anything. Even if you don't have that, you have
> potential damage from ice flows during warm spells, freezing during
> cold spells, and destruction from debris like branches, logs, dead
> cows, and other flotsam.
>
> The standard setup would be a weir, trash grate, diversion channel or
> pipe, and a vertical frances or maybe kaplan type of broad bladed
> turbine. That is a permanent setup, involving poured concrete forms,
> etc., and it costs bucks.
>
> Thousand watt microhydro units are common because they are based on
> automotive alternators or generators and are sized to work in many
> situations. The designs have been worked out, and the large supply
> keeps costs down.
>
> There is some playing around you can do, but don't expect to save
> money. You could moor a rowboat or float in the middle of the
> channel, using steel cables to fix it in position. You would then use
> this as a support for an underwater propellor or an undershot
> paddlewheel to get a few hundred watts if you are lucky. You would
> have to use belts or gears to speed up the rotation to turn the
> alternator, then step up the voltage to get it to your house and the
> resistance heaters.
>
> Understand that whenever you put a paddlewheel or propellor in a
> flowing stream of water, the water is going to find the resistance,
> and then flow around it. That cuts or can even eliminate the useful
> power.
>
> To do the job successfully, get the permits, use 12" diameter or
> greater pipe, and build a solid turbine and generator housing that can
> withstand flood stage events. Some of the earlier Homepower issues
> have articles on setups like this.
>

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