MINI-HYDRO. GOING WITH THE FLOW

Andrew Gonzales, Candace Kaiser, Andrew Cannard

RAIN RUNOFF DOES PRODUCE ENERGY…

A significant amount of water can be collected and used for alternative use. King Street Center:

44,000 ft.^2 roof 37 inches annual rainfall 1.4 million gallons collected annually[1]

Micro Hydro systems are becoming increasingly common in small developing communities. Most systems are run by streams or other natural water flow systems.

Questions about rain water runoff: Is there enough runoff water to produce energy? Can we make a low cost turbine with re-purposed materials? Will this homemade turbine produce any energy?

CAN WE COLLECT ENOUGH RUNOFF WATER TO PRODUCE ENERGY?

H1-Yes, there will be enough water to produce a useable amount of energy.

H2-Yes, energy will be produced but not much

Null Hypotheses- No, there will not be enough water to produce energy

CAN WE MAKE A LOW COST MINI-HYDRO SYSTEM WITH RE-PURPOSED MATERIALS?

H1-Yes, we can build a system with only re-purposed materials.

H2-Yes, we can build a system but not solely with re-purposed materials

Null Hypothesis-No, we cannot build a functional system with re-purposed material

http://www.thestonestore.com

WILL THIS HOMEMADE TURBINE PRODUCE ANY ENERGY?

H1- Yes, but homebuilt not as efficient as professional

H2- Yes, but homebuilt is extremely inefficient

Null Hypothesis- No, so inefficient that it will not produce energy

http://www.doradovista.com/DVPower2.html

HOW CAN WE TEST OUR HYPOTHESES?

Calculate ideal energy production from a given water source (roof top).

Compare prices of commercially available turbines with our homebuilt turbine.

Measure energy production with our homebuilt turbine measured with a multi-meter.

Compare values from calculations and measurements.

http://www.renewcanada.com http://www.renewablesfirst.co.uk

BUDGET

Repurposed and Recyclable Materials Old bicycle for water wheel- cheap on craigslist Used automotive alternator- $25 Miscellaneous household items for water wheel-$50 Copper wire- $5

Lab Stores Free for rent or low cost Multi meter Water flow meter

Ingenuity Manipulating materials in an effective way to make

them have a new purpose

BENEFITS OF MICRO HYDRO

Uses an abundant natural resource in our area to produce energy.

Micro hydro systems using rain water runoff from buildings will have no environmental impact on natural habitats.

http://www.dropyourenergybill.com/archives/1546

OUTCOME

Our goal is to create a micro hydro turbine which can be used to demonstrate the possibilities of micro hydro energy on campus.

OUTREACH AND EDUCATION

Stepping Stones First step to utilizing the abundant natural resource of

rain in our local community

Design for Others Replicable design for creating multiple units

Mobility Easy to use by other Evergreen Students in the Future

Inspiration Future Projects Discovery of low-cost renewable electricity

CAMPUS SUSTAINABILITY GOALS

Promoting Education and Research for the Future Laying the groundwork Future students would have a resource as to the

effectiveness of on campus micro-hydro

100% of Electricity at evergreen is BOUGHT from renewable energy sources Micro hydro could increase renewable energy

production on campus More money for other areas of the Climate Action

Plan

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1.Haidar, A.M.A., Senan, M.F.M., Noman, A. & Radman, T. Utilization of pico hydro generation in domestic and commercial loads. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 16, 518-524 (2012).

Heather Kinkade-Levario and ebrary, Inc, Design for Water Rainwater Harvesting, Stormwater Catchment, and Alternate Water Reuse (Gabriola Island, B.C. : [Lancaster: New Society ; Gazelle Drake Academic, distributor], 2007).Page 17

http://media.onsugar.com/files/2011/01/01/5/89/898472/c6ad4c6e7afa83f7_digital_multimeter.jpg

Thank You