MicrohydroMicrohydro
2006 Environment Summit2006 Environment SummitSustainability in the High Sustainability in the High
CountryCountrySeptember 23, 2006September 23, 2006
Diane PriceDiane PriceBrent SummervilleBrent Summerville
Hydro, It’s Really Solar Hydro, It’s Really Solar PowerPower
Most of that global hydro power is produced by large-scale hydroelectric plants
Today, we will be talking about Today, we will be talking about
micromicrohydrohydro•Small in scale
•Minimum environmental impact
•Site specific: you must have the resource
•Affordable
•Consistent
•Produces continuously, 24/7
These Turbines are turned by water. That turning motion drives a generator which
produced electricity.
With the high head situations we commonly see in the mountains, small pelton wheels and turgo
wheels are commonly used.
You need two things to make You need two things to make powerpower
Head and FlowHead and Flow
Measuring HeadMeasuring Head
Sight level (2 people)Sight level (2 people)
Eye level
Measuring HeadMeasuring Head
Pipe with pressure Pipe with pressure gauge at the bottom gauge at the bottom (1 person)(1 person)
2.31 feet = 1 psi2.31 feet = 1 psi
This gauge reads 38 This gauge reads 38 psipsi
38 psi x 2.31 feet/psi 38 psi x 2.31 feet/psi = 88 ft of head= 88 ft of head
5 gallon bucket5 gallon bucket
This may be tricky…
Small stream, little waterfall
Most typical method for microhydro
5 gallon bucket5 gallon bucket
If the measured flow using a 5 gallon bucket If the measured flow using a 5 gallon bucket and a stop watch was 5 gallons in 1.5 and a stop watch was 5 gallons in 1.5 seconds, how many GPM would this be? seconds, how many GPM would this be?
GPMgal
200min1
sec60
sec5.1
5
Larger StreamsLarger Streams
Float MethodFloat Method WeirWeir
Power EstimatePower Estimate
Power (watts) = Power (watts) = Net Head (ft) * Flow (GPM)Net Head (ft) * Flow (GPM)
9-14 (use 10)9-14 (use 10)
10 assumes a system efficiency of 53%
NozzlesNozzlesFlow through the pipe is controlled by the nozzle size
Harris HydroHarris Hydro
The Harris system is an The Harris system is an efficient, durable, efficient, durable, battery battery charging peltoncharging pelton turbine with turbine with a PM generator.a PM generator. Probably the most abundant Probably the most abundant micro-hydro unit in the U.S. micro-hydro unit in the U.S. The multiple nozzle The multiple nozzle arrangement allows arrangement allows considerably more water to considerably more water to impact the runner, resulting in impact the runner, resulting in greater output at any head, greater output at any head, and usable power at a much and usable power at a much lower head. lower head.
1 nozzle $17001 nozzle $17002 nozzle $18002 nozzle $18004 nozzle $19504 nozzle $1950
www.harrishydro.comwww.harrishydro.com
Energy Systems & DesignEnergy Systems & Design
Stream EngineStream Engine Brushless, permanent magnet Brushless, permanent magnet alternator which is adjustablealternator which is adjustableCapable of outputs over 1 kilowatt Capable of outputs over 1 kilowatt Heads from 6 to 300 feet.Heads from 6 to 300 feet.Equipped with a rugged bronze Equipped with a rugged bronze turgo turgo wheelwheel, universal nozzles (adaptable , universal nozzles (adaptable to sizing from 1/8 to1 inch), and a to sizing from 1/8 to1 inch), and a digital multimeter which is used to digital multimeter which is used to measure output current. measure output current.
www.microhydropower.comwww.microhydropower.com
2 Nozzle Bronze $23952 Nozzle Bronze $23954 Nozzle Bronze $25454 Nozzle Bronze $2545High Voltage Option $200 High Voltage Option $200 High Current Option $100High Current Option $100
Hydro Induction PowerHydro Induction Power
Good forGood for long wire runs, 60' long wire runs, 60' - 500' head, 10 - 600 gpm - 500' head, 10 - 600 gpm The units produce 3-Phase The units produce 3-Phase 120V, 240V, or 480V 'wild' 120V, 240V, or 480V 'wild' (unregulated) AC, which is then (unregulated) AC, which is then stepped down to battery stepped down to battery voltage. voltage. The heavy-duty brushless The heavy-duty brushless alternator is housed on the alternator is housed on the Harris HousingHarris Housing
Uses the Harris bronze Pelton Uses the Harris bronze Pelton Wheel for flows up to Wheel for flows up to 200 gpm200 gpm and the bronze Turgo Runner and the bronze Turgo Runner for flows of for flows of 200 to 600 gpm.200 to 600 gpm.
www.hipowerhydro.comwww.hipowerhydro.com
HV 600 with 2 Nozzles HV 600 with 2 Nozzles $2500$2500
HV 600 with 4 Nozzles HV 600 with 4 Nozzles $2600$2600
HV 1200 with 4 Nozzles HV 1200 with 4 Nozzles $3000$3000
HV 1800 with 4 Nozzles HV 1800 with 4 Nozzles $3500$3500
HV 3600 with 4 Nozzles HV 3600 with 4 Nozzles $5000$5000
Turgo option Turgo option $600$600
Canyon HydroCanyon Hydro
Serious engineeringSerious engineering
1854084
1013335
362415
121665
KWgpm
Canyon 2435
15340
8277
3197
1139
KWgpm
Canyon 751
300
200
100
50
100 KW Canyon Crossflow
www.canyonhydro.com
Make your ownMake your own
www.otherpower.comwww.otherpower.com
Mollies Branch Case StudyMollies Branch Case Study
100 ft of net head100 ft of net head
Stream flow: 300 gpmStream flow: 300 gpm
Design flow: 85 gpmDesign flow: 85 gpm
Penstock: 1200’ of 4” HDPEPenstock: 1200’ of 4” HDPE
Turbine: Harris Hydro 4-Turbine: Harris Hydro 4-nozzle PMnozzle PM
Power: 850 W for nowPower: 850 W for now
Energy: .85 kW x 24 h/day Energy: .85 kW x 24 h/day x 30 day/mon = 612 x 30 day/mon = 612 kWh/monkWh/mon
Cost = about $16,000Cost = about $16,000
ARISE & ASUSES Site Assessment
Measuring Flow
The 4” HDPE arrives in 50’ lengths
Fusing the pipe with the ASU Wind & Hydro Class
Fusion welder
• Shave pipe ends
• Heat with 500 degree iron
• Press ends together to fuse
• Makes a “double roll back bead” as demonstrated by Liz
The penstock gradually drops 100 feet along the 1200
feet of pipe. It is supported along the
bank with steel stakes and aircraft
cable
This log house is moved into place to house the turbine
The wire run and Balance of System is roughed in
A battery box is built to contain the eight Trojan L16 batteries (48V)
A silt trap/intake filter is built from a 55 gallon plastic
drum
The penstock is connected to the turbine house
A stand is constructed for the turbine.
A union and hinge allows the turbine to be tilted back for
servicing.
Screw-type gate valves insures slow operation
The water passes through the floor and returns to the
creek
Water is diverted from the creek to the silt trap
A second silt trap barrel is added to improve performance
The battery bank and inverter are wired. The electrician installs a subpanel for the hydro loads.
The log house does a nice job of reducing the sound level (sounds like a sewing machine)
The Mollies Branch microhydro project serves as an excellent demonstration site for regional farmers and landowners
Questions?