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How do micro-hydro generators work?

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Answers to other micro-hydro power questions below.

How do micro-hydro generators work?

Micro-hydro power is making a comeback for electricity generation in homes. Even though there may be few people that have this energy production option, we decided to include it for those that may not have realized that they could utilize their stream, pond, or irrigation this way. Finding a place for a hydro system is much more site-specific than a wind or solar energy system. A sufficient quantity of water must be available, with enough drop in elevation to create pressure.

INTRO TO MICRO HYDRO

Hydroelectric power is produced through the kinetic energy of falling water, or water under pressure. In the most common application, water is diverted from a river or stream, or held by a dam and then routed through a pipe where it develops pressure. This pressure is forced through a properly sized nozzle. The nozzle develops a jet stream force of concentrated water to rotate a paddle wheel connected to a turbine. The turbine is forced to rotate by the force of the water pressure and water flow. The turbine is mechanically connected to a generator, which is then forced to rotate, generating AC or DC electricity.

The amount of power available depends on the head pressure and the amount of water flow. The vertical distance the water falls is called head and is usually measured in feet, meters, or units of pressure. The quantity of water is called flow and is measured in gallons per minute (gpm), cubic feet per second (cfs), or liters per second (l/s). More head pressure is usually better because it requires less flow. The greater the distance water has to fall, the more head pressure is developed, thus requiring less water. High flow and less head can add up to the same amount of power generated as high head with low flow. The difference will be in the cost of the equipment, because high flow/low head equipment is larger and more expensive than high head/low flow equipment.

Here are some simple rules for evaluating your site.

Rule #1 - you should have at least 6 1/2 feet (2 meters) of head for a hydro turbine.

Rule #2 - use a water flow you can count on year-round.

 

To consider a site for a potential hydro system, you must first determine the head and flow of the site. They must fall with in certain parameters for a micro-hydro system to work.

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