Energy Matters Forums

[MichaelB]

Has anyone dabbled in micro-hydro systems? I'd be interested to hear about your experiences

[Gordon-Loomberah]

I'm in the process of setting one up, to be used as non-battery energy storage.
I have a pelton wheel, alternator, enough water in a tank near the house, 10500l tank 85m altitude up the hill, and mono pump to get the water up there. I'm waiting for the finances to accumulate a bit more before the final splurge on a few hundred metres of 50 and 63mm poly pipe, lower PN8 rating 63mm for the top, higher PN10 or 12.5 rating 50mm for the lower end of the pipe run. I'm still thinking about a surge protector in case the ball valve is turned off too fast - which may result in burst fittings or pipe.
Initially I'll turn the water flow on and off manually, but have figured out how to operate it all automatically if the battery voltage drops below a set point. I've already got the automatic pumping up the hill when the batteries reach the absorb charge stage sorted for the house pressure tank, its just a matter of connecting the new pipe to the T on the pump outlet for the higher hydro pressure tank, along with a 2nd pressure switch and some control wiring. I've calculated that I should be able to recover ~1.7kWh from the 10500l tank, and may add some more storage tanks up there when I can afford to. They will double as a source of high pressure water for fire fighting near the house.

Gordon

[MichaelB]

Thanks Gordon,

As I was typing out the question, I thought to myself, "I bet Gordon has a micro-hydro setup"

I envision a great business for you - charging folks admission to see what you've achieved out on your patch! Seriously, I think quite a few of the community would pay to see it all as it sounds like a renewable energy wonderland

As always, thanks for the input Gordon, keep us updated on how it all pans out!

[mikef]

I am starting the process of setting one up and have done a lot of research.

there is a fantastic program available from this page (energyalternatives.ca) called "Microhydro Power Calculator"

I have played with this calculator for many many hours fiddling with pipe sizes expected flows and static head figures and it really puts into perspective what you will get from your system when you set it up.

One very interesting part is trying different pipe sizes and length and head amounts to optimise the pipe size for the particular money and system size. Also what to expect from different alternators as well.

Will keep you up to date as I slowly put it all together if you like.

[Tracker]

Gordon - just get a 50mm GATE valve..

They can't be "Snapped Shut" -- not ever !
.
.

[Gordon-Loomberah]

yea, got a few of them on tanks, slow to turn off for sure, but not so easy to automate.

[mikef]

Would like to set up this system if I could find the water source and money!!

And it has automated the ball valves and would do it slowly.

http://www.microhydropower.com/images/DSCF0816.JPG

But this system would not suffer the same problem as a single pipe as it would likely not shut it off all at once one would imagine.

[Gordon-Loomberah]

Would like to set up this system if I could find the water source and money!!

Yes its going to be very expensive to set up a large system like that. You must have a source though, or do you live in the desert?

I don't have to look too far for my source, it falls out of the sky onto my roof

Gordon

[mikef]

Ah that is a good source Gordon.

I am far from the desert. I had nearly 1300mm last year though my average is closer to 950mm

I actually have a full time creek which is a definite bonus for where I live. I have access to about 5 liters a second averaged over summer and winter (half its flow) and expect to get about 450 to 500 watts from the system constantly each year after system losses. I have access to about 20 - 25m static head through 75mm poly pipe and into a Canadian designed Stream Engine that is pretty efficient in the scheme of things (85-90% according to their table of figures).

In fact they are the Micro Hydro in the pic above.

I think if one could run 3 of them then it would be self sufficiency plus money for grid tied as well. Might help pay back themselves. They are quite capable of putting out over a 1000 watts when well fed.

On that note, has anyone run one of the Stream Engines and what have they found in regards to their efficiencies? Claimed versus real?

I looked at making my own on many occasions and when it came down to it I just could not find similar efficiencies for converting kinetic energy to power. I have a limited amount of water and head so my conversion rates are quite important.

[gpigeon]

Considering the "premium" now paid (at least in NSW) for renewable power, via the FIT, has anyone thought of using an efficient 3 ph "grid" powered pump (Mono or multi-stage centrifugal) to pump water uphill and then let it run back down through a mini hydro to feed back into the grid.
In fact, why even pump it up the hill? Just out of the pump into the hydro!
Still better, why even pump water.......just have the motor turning an alternator?
If both the motor and alternator are 90% eff. then I get back 80% of what I put in. That is more than compensated for by the "up to 46c/kWh" premium FIT.
Just thought I'd throw this in for debate.
Ethical or not?
Cheers.
Bill W.