Nano-Scale Hydro Power Generation

Once again, I must confess that my perceptions continue to be challenged. Previously, I had posted that I wasn't particularly interested in Hydro Power generation, as I always perceived it as requiring a huge capital investment, usually by some government body. Further, I was very concerned about the upstream ecological impact of implementing a dam. I thought it was a requirement.



But I have since done some more research, and find out that smaller-scale hydro power has gone on for years. The classic water-wheels that were used for their mechanical potential in grinding wheat into flour are one example. More recently, instead of mechanical potential, they are used for the creation of electricity. In fact, they are many multiples more efficient than either wind or solar, owing largely to the density of the water itself !

Typically, simple implementations divert a portion of the flow (20% is considered more than reasonable) into a large pipe, which is then incrementally decreased. This increases the water pressure without changing the volume. The resulting "jet" of water flows past some form of turbine, which in turn adds mechanical potential to the generation of electricity. Finally, the water rejoins the original flow of water.



The other variables which in turn help determine how much electricity can be generated include head - how far the water falls, and friction-losses - does the flow of water slow down owing to turns or a pipe that's too narrow.

Since my focus is on renewable energy, hydro is remarkably attractive. Presumably, a stream or small river will almost always have some flow. The fact that it flows at all indicates it must have some head. And a stream-side implementation returns the water back to the stream or river. It is clean, non-polluting, and won't cause any upstream damage.

Couple a hydro system with wind & solar, and you have a system capable of creating electricity year round, regardless of what climate you live in !


The opinions expressed in this post are purely those of the author. Opinions are like noses; everyone has one and they are entitled to it !