Micro-hydro Power

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Micro-hydro Power

• Alvin Chan, Benjamin Garber, Lance Stratton,
  Philip Pulitzer
• Advisor G Flo

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(No Transcript)
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Outline

• To install a microhydro system at Springfield
  Plantation Guesthouse.
• Reasons for installation
• Standard microhydro sighting
• Calculate flow rate and head
• Power calculations based on flow rate and head
• Location of system
• Training
• Power usage and economical/environmental
  advantages
• Other organizations
• Maintenance and training (personal and locals)

• Equipment
• Turbine (hydro unit)
• Pipe
• Costs (limitations)
• Funding

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Standard Micro-hydro Sighting
Prior Measurements needed to take before
installing -Head and flow rate (Potential
Energy) -Expect fluctuations in flow (80-120
gallons/minute) -Turbine must be able to handle
flow rate how to take flow rate 1) use a
bucket and stopwatch to measure (small) 2)
Float method (large)
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The Stream
This is a picture of the stream taken from the
road. ? The pipe and the intake are on the other
side of the road and that is where the majority
of the work will be done.
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Partially Completed Intake
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Choosing a Location

• Location avoid damage over time to areas
  geography
• Site Problem flooding by nearby Check Hall
  River
• ? chose location a few feet from the river

Second proposed project few feet from river,
actual chosen location
First proposed project site deemed too dangerous
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Training Protocol
?Standard training will be provided by UVM. ?
More information will be provided by the
equipment manufacturer.
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Economic Advantages

• Cost effective back-up energy production
• Initial investment could be recovered in less
  than 3 years
• Turbine could last decades with proper
  maintenance

Environmental Advantages

• Micro-hydro system diverts less than half of
  stream flow
• Renewable energy source that does not pollute
  the air or water
• Operates over wide range of head and flows

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Equipment
Needed Turbine (SES-P175 Turbine
Unit) Generator PVC Piping Wire to connect to
load governor Wire conduit Dump
load Intake Foundation and housing for turbine
unit
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Why use this type of turbine?

• Designed to operate on wide range of head and
  flow conditions
• Covers head and flow calculated previously
• Turbine sized for specific site based on head and
  flow conditions.
• System can be used to augment power and as
  back-up power supply.

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• HYDRAULIC COMPONENTS OF TURBINE
• hydroelectric generator

• WATER DELIVERED TO TURBINE BY PVC PIPE
• Length is approx 480 ft.
• 4 inch diameter
• Approx cost 1600

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Other Equipment

• Belts for the belt drive
• To be purchased separately
• Generator
• Included with turbine unit
• Oil filled pressure gauge at the inlet to the
  turbine
• To measure water pressure
• To be purchased separately
• Voltmeter
• Included with turbine controls
• Gate Valve
• To be purchased separately

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Funding
Funding has been provided by several different
sources State University of New York College
of Environmental Science and Forestry University
of Vermont CDAE Clemson University Archbold
Consortium SCEPTRE (Springfield Center for
Environmental Protection, Training, Research and
Education)