A small hydroelectric power plant is an excellent way to get off-gridThe purpose of a small hydroelectric power plant in a creek is to make electricity. Basically, you’re transforming the potential of flowing water into rotational energy. There are several ways to do this, you can build a Grand Coulee Dam size project, but on the other hand, maybe you’d better develop a small outback power system. If you’re still not sure, consider this; does your water source approximate the size of the Columbia River and do you have a few billion $$$$$ bucks lying around? Unless you do, I suspect you’re best bet is to opt out for the micro hydro project. Okay, with that said, let’s get back to the details of small hydroelectric power plants. Take a look at how one couple manages.
To begin, I’ll try to avoid over using technical terms to describe the small hydroelectric power plant, however several do need to be mentioned. Fortunately, there's only a few: the Impulse type and the Reaction type. Reaction types consist of two versions: the Frances and the Kaplan. And the impulse type is the Pelton or Turgo. Each variety will operate in the vertical and horizontal positions. The Frances receive energy from high-pressure water flowing inward through a spiral shaped guide tube into the turbines vanes. The low pressure water is then discharged out the base of the dam.
The Kaplan variety is where high-flow low-head production is required. It has a propeller positioned in a scroll-shaped tube that wraps around wicket gate. The wicket gate is a series of moveable (shutters) valves that control the volume of water flow spiraling across the propeller. Like the Frances system, the low pressure water is discharged out the base of the dam. The Pelton and Turgo are basic impulse types. A Turgo is really just a modified version of the Pelton. One or more nozzles direct high-pressure water at a series of spoon-shaped buckets mounted around the edge of a wheel. The energy in the jetted water striking the buckets is thus an impulse that transfers the energy to a rotating shaft. You can choose the type that provides optimum performance for the water flow and head height available. Basically, there's three: first the Penstock second: the Head Gate and third: the Pelton Wheel All three are essential to maintain and control hydroelectric power generation. Okay, let’s see what we need to do to get started. If you are serious about building and installing a small hydroelectric power plant, you’ll need to plan a system that will produce your power needs. The following initial steps are very important in order to have a successful system. Obviously, the foremost requirement is flowing water in some kind of natural channel. Important Notice
If you’re inclined to construct a decorative water feature, then you may need to provide a Forebay Tank to either catch rainwater or divert water and construct a simple water wheel of some sort. Nonetheless, should you choose to generate electricity, your water wheel should be hefty enough to handle the load of a generator. Adequate housing for the generator and electronics should also be provided.
However, should a functional low head power generating system be desired, some kind of water turbine will be required. I could also construct a Forebay Tank. In either case, a generator; usually a Pelton or Turgo will be used. Also the usual belts, pulleys, regulators and rechargeable batteries, etc, will be needed. First Step Second
Third Fourth Fifth
Sixth If you’re a DIY addict, you can build your own micro hydro turbine, generator and the various water devices you’ll need. Or you can purchase them. The chart below gives general hydroelectric dam sizes, from very very large to nano-hydro systems and the power they usually produce.
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