Personal Hydro Kinetic Turbines: Hydropower: Eco20/20

Personal Hydro Kinetic Turbines

Hydro kinetics is a potent source of renewable energy, because the energy potential of moving water can be hundreds of times greater per inch of area than the energy potential of flowing air; but the energy of a waterway increases with the cube of velocity, which means the faster it flows, the more power it generates, so if you're planning to build a private power station, location is crucial.

What makes a good Hydro-power site?

* The velocity of water is calculated via measurements of head, which is the vertical distance the water falls, and flow, which is the amount of water falling in a particular space.

* If your property has a river, creek, canal or a stream with superior momentum, if it has a sustainable water supply and a fast slope nearby where you can artificially create water speed, or if it has access to the tidal flow, you've got the necessary setting for one the best alternative power supplies.

o A property with strong snow runoff or frequent rainstorms, where water flows quickly through narrow channels, or a site where water from reservoirs is flowing into irrigation canals could also be suitable for a private hydro-electric turbine.

* Diverting water into a pipeline to improve water speed will increase the cost of the power station, but if the distance is reasonable and the final velocity is fast enough, it may be worth the expense.

The options for harnessing water flow

* Deepening a natural channel, or creating an artificial channel, in order to position turbines to take advantage of tidal flow, is an option for coastal dwellers.

* In-stream turbines are the least expensive option for an inland waterway. They are easy to anchor within the current of a river or creek. A car-sized turbine in a river, or a few tub sized generators in a fast creek, can generate enough power for an average American home or a small village in a developing country.

o If the natural flow isn't fast enough, a pipeline can be used to divert part of the water from a high point in a river, creek or stream and carry it to a fall-away area or steep slope at nearly the same height as the high point, where the water can be gravity-dropped through a turbine before it falls back into the river, creek or stream.

* There are a number of companies who make personal sized hydro turbines that can be deployed in a river with a small boat. No construction is needed for an in-stream turbine, they can be taken out of the water for maintenance, and the operating and maintenance costs are generally much lower than for other sources of private energy.

o Many companies have turbines that mimic propeller designs, spinning in line with the flow, but turbines based on the Pelton wheel are able to harness a greater portion of the available energy.

Hydro-electric equipment is generally less expensive, is easier to maintain, and has a lower operational cost compared to other renewable energy equipment. If your property meets the criteria for a hydro-electric site, and it has a flow that's worth the initial cost of the equipment, hydro-power is the best choice in terms of cost versus results.