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?