Micro hydro

Micro-hydro power is just what it sounds like: energy produced by small-scale hydro-electric power installations. Just how small can vary: an individual station can produce anywhere from just a couple kW up to 100 kW of power. It's an efficient way to produce energy because only a small flow of water is required to generate electricity--and we're talking small, like two gallons per minute, or a drop of as little as two feet. Electricity generated with micro-hydro power can be transported up to a mile. That may not sound like a long distance, but along with everything else local , it goes a long way to sustain individual communities in an eco-friendly way, as well as frees us just a bit from thepower grid . Not only does micro-hydro produce cleaner electricity than fossil fuels, but as the water passes through the generator, it is directed back into the stream and leaves almost no impact on the surrounding environment. It's a great resource for developing countries to tap, given the longevity of the equipment and the low costs involved (installation can be as low as $1,000, and maintenance costs are smaller than for other technologies). And in the U.S., if your site produces a surplus of energy, some power companies will even buy that electricity from you.

Micro-hydro
Micro-hydro schemes produce power from streams and small rivers. The power can be used to generate electricity, or to drive machinery. Micro-hydro can bring electricity to remote communities for the first time, replacing kerosene for lighting, providing TV and communications to homes and community buildings, and enabling small businesses to start. Micro-hydro schemes are already benefiting many remote communities in the Himalayas and Andes, as well as in hilly parts of China, Sri Lanka and the Philippines. In the developed world, micro-hydro schemes supply power to existing mains electric grids. Read on for more information about micro-hydro, or go to our database for films and case studies of Ashden Award winners who use micro-hydro. How micro-hydro works The power available in a river or stream depends on the rate at which the water is flowing, and the height (head) which it falls down. Hydro schemes are classified by the output power which they produce as approximately: Large scale: 2 MW and above Mini: 100 kW to 2 MW Micro: 5 kW to 100 kW Pico: less than 5 kW but the basic approach is similar for all. The core of a micro-hydro scheme is the turbine, which is rotated by the moving water. Different types are used, depending on the head and flow at the site (see box). For example, Ashden Award-winner Practical Action Peru uses Pelton, Francis and Cross-flow turbines. The turbine rotates a shaft, which is often used to drive an electrical generator.
Pelton turbine (for high head, low flow) consists of a set of small buckets arranged around a wheel onto which one or more jets of water are arranged to impact. Francis turbine (lower head and higher flow) has a spiral casing that directs the water flow through vanes on a rotor.

Cross-flow or Banki turbines (even lower head and higher flow) are made as a series of curved blades fixed between the perimeters of two disks to make a cylinder. The water flows in at one side of the cylinder and out of the other, driving the blades around. They are much easier to make than most other designs. Propeller turbine (very low head and large flow) has fixed blades, like a boat propeller. A more complex version, the Kaplan turbine, has blades that can be adjusted in pitch relative to the flow. River current turbine, which is like a wind-turbine immersed in water, can be used to extract power from with a large flow in a river, where there is virtually no head.

Most micro-hydro systems are run-of-river which means that they dont need large dams to store water. Howe ver, they do need some water-management systems.

Penstock and turbine house for micro-hydro scheme installed by SITMo at Bokiawan, the Philippines

A small dam in the river bed directs the water to a settling tank. This allows silt to settle out of the water, and the clean water to flow into a canal or a pipe to a second settling tank called the forebay, which is sited above the power house. The canal or pipe can be fairly long, 1 km or more, if a suitable stream is distant from where the power is required. The outlet from the forebay has a screen to trap silt and floating debris. Water flows out into a pipe called the penstock, which is made as steep as possible to transfer water to the turbine. Water leaving the turbine is led back to the stream through the outlet pipe or tail-race.

Penstock and turbine house for micro-hydro scheme installed by SITMo at Bokiawan, the Philippines How micro-hydro systems are used Many micro-hydro schemes are remote from the mains grid, and a local grid is then constructed to distribute the electrical power. In the local grids installed by Practical Action Peru, the voltage output from the generator is stepped up to about 10 kV using a transformer, for transmission to the village, because this reduces electrical losses. At the village the voltage is stepped down to 220 V for distribution to individual customers. The output from the generator must match the demand for electric power, otherwise the voltage and frequency can vary suddenly, which can damage some electrical equipment. The demand for power in an off-grid system is often very variable, because people switch lights and machines on and off, so the supply from the micro-hydro system must be varied to keep close control. This can be done by varying the water flow, or by using an electronic load controller. Micro-hydro schemes can be connected to a mains grid if available. CRERAL is an electricity supply cooperative in southern Brazil, which has installed two grid-connected mini-hydro schemes with total capacity 1.9 MW to reduce the amount of electricity which it has to purchase from the national grid, and also improve the reliability of the supply to its customers In some micro-hydro schemes, the rotating shaft directly drives machinery such as a grain mill. SITMO in the Philippines has installed micro-hydro mills for rice and coffee. CRT-N upgrades water mills in Nepal, so that they can grind more flour and in some cases run oil expellers and other machines as well.

Grinding maize using an improved water mill in Nepal

What are the benefits of using micro-hydro? In remote areas, micro-hydro schemes can bring electricity for the first time to whole communities. This provides lighting, TV and communications for homes, schools, clinics and community buildings. The electrical power from micro-hydro also is sufficient to run machinery and refrigerators, thus supporting small businesses as well as homes. For SITMo, a major reason for installing micro-hydro was to provide a more pleasant life with increased employment opportunities in rural areas, and discourage young people from drifting to the cities. Practical Action Peru also found that young people were more likely to stay in villages with micro-hydro, and that business activities grew

Two benefits from micro-hydro in the village of Conchan, Peru: running a sewing business and watching TV The main environmental benefit of micro-hydro is reducing greenhouse gas emissions and local pollution from fossil fuels. This includes kerosene for lighting, diesel for driving machinery, and diesel and other fossil fuels for generating electricity, There are concerns about the environmental impact of large-scale hydro schemes, because they require large areas to be flooded to provide reservoirs, and can have serious impact on water management. Carefully-designed microhydro schemes take only a limited amount of water from a river or stream, have a small storage volume, and return the water a short distance downstream, thus have very little environmental impact. Several small hydro systems have less environmental impact than a single large hydro scheme supplying the same power. Cost The cost of micro-hydro varies significantly with location. Schemes installed by Practical Action Peru provide an average of 33 kW for about 100 households, and cost about US$3,400 per kW (equivalent to US$1,000 per household) to install. About 55% of the cost is subsidised, and the remainder provided through labour and as a loan. Users pay per kWh of electricity used, at a rate which covers the management and maintenance of the micro-hydro scheme, and pays back the loan. CRERAL costs are lower because the schemes feed an existing grid and there is no additional cost for distribution and management. CRERAL earns carbon finance for displacing electricity generated by fossil fuels with its microhydro schemes. Numbers Globally, hydro-power is the largest source of renewable electricity, providing about 16% of the worlds electricity (3,100 TWh in 2008), but most of this is from large-scale systems. In 1995, the micro-hydro capacity in the world was estimated at 28 GW, supplying about 115 TWh of electricity. About 60% of this capacity was in the developed world, with 40% in developing areas.

The main micro-hydro programmes in the developing world are in mountainous countries, such as Nepal (around 2,000 schemes, including both mechanical and electrical power generation) and other countries in the Himalayas. In South America, there are micro-hydro programmes in the countries along the Andes, such as Peru and Bolivia. Smaller programmes have been set up in hilly areas of Sri Lanka, the Philippines, China and elsewhere. The future There is substantial potential for supplying off-grid communities with electricity from micro-hydro schemes. A study in Peru suggested that less than 5% of the economic hydro potential in the Eastern Andes had been used. Micro-hydro systems were used in the Europe and the USA from the end of the 19th century, but most were abandoned as grid power became available. Their potential for supplying power to the grid is now recognised, in particular where there is carbon finance or preferential tariffs for low-carbon electricity. New schemes are being installed and some mill owners like the South Somerset Hydropower Group in the UK are refurbishing old water mills to generate electricity.

Lead author: Dr Anne Wheldon

Micro-hydro systems

Micro-hydro systems use flowing water to turn a water turbine that generates electricity in an alternator.
On this page:

Micro-hydro system configuration Types of turbine Penstocks Capacity Static head Dynamic head Water flow rate Turbine capacity Installation Electricity supply connection Environmental impact The efficiency of most micro-hydro generators ranges from 3070%. They are viable as small-scale electricity generators that can provide electricity to a building or property. The main requirements are that the micro-hydro system has:

sufficient water head and flow rate access to a regular water source (stream or spring).

Micro-hydro system configuration

Typical micro-hydro electricity generation system

A micro-hydro system typically includes:

a water source a continuous flow of water such as a creek, stream, waterfall, small dam or spring-fed dam, with a drop in level, and that can be wholly or partially redirected through a micro-hydro system a turbine turned by water acting on the blades of a runner or wheel a water intake or forebay a catchment area that directs water into the turbine inlet pipe, while allowing sediment to settle and maintaining the water pressure head examples of intakes include a dam, weir, bin, box or channel race from a stream

a filter mesh to catch leaves, sticks, stones and debris and stop them entering the water intake pipe, where they may otherwise block the pipe, reduce water pressure, cause rapid pressure fluctuations, or damage the turbine water inlet pipeline or penstock the pipe transferring water from the water intake pipe to the turbine, which should be fully submerged at the inlet water outlet pipeline or tailrace or draft pipe the pipe discharging water from the turbine back to the stream or creek note that a water outlet pipeline may not be required with an impulse turbine as it generally sprays out water alternator alternating current is generated by rotor windings connected to the shaft from the turbine turning inside the stator windings of the alternator body rectifier converts AC to DC for electricity that is being sent to a battery storage system the generator initially produces AC, but is called a DC generator if the output electricity is immediately sent through the rectifier electricity cables transfer the electricity from the generator to the electricity supply or storage system a spill way or bypass for excess water to be able to flow past the system or allow the system to be shut down.

Types of turbine

The two main types of micro-hydro turbine are

impulse turbines

reaction turbines.

An impulse turbine Impulse turbines have wheels as their turbine blade unit. They run freely in air, with a water jet directed on to the wheel blades. They run in an open (i.e. not sealed) unit, and with an open-air connection to the water inlet pipe. An impulse turbine may or may not have a connection to a water outlet pipe. This type of turbine needs protection from water flooding. They are typically installed in higher water head applications, of up to 10 metres water pressure head, and are more common than reaction turbines for domestic applications.

A reaction turbine Reaction turbines have runners as their turbine blade unit. They are fully immersed in the water flow, and have a sealed case around the runner blade unit and a closed connection to the water inlet and water outlet pipes. They are typically installed in low water head applications.

Penstocks
The penstock inlet should be located as low as possible in the water so that it remains submerged when water levels are low. However, if it is too low, it may get blocked by sediment building up in front of it. An air vent may be required near the intake to prevent damage if the intake blocks and a vacuum is created. Penstocks must slope downwards or an air lock may form, affecting performance.

A penstock should include a shut-off valve to stop water flow during maintenance of the turbine. They must be strong enough to resist the design water pressures and be protected from rapid starting and stopping of the water flow. They must also be protected from impact damage and exposure to the sun by being buried or enclosed in a box structure.

Capacity

Electricity generation of micro-hydro systems is directly proportional to the head of water and the water flow rate, e.g. the same power generation can potentially be achieved by a generator with a low head and high water flow rate (e.g. flat terrain with a large water catchment) or a high head and low water flow rate (e.g. steeper terrain with less water catchment area).

Static head
The static head (or gross head) is the vertical distance between the water level at the intake and the discharge point. Both these levels are where the water has contact with air. The water discharge level for an impulse turbine is where the water leaves the inlet pipe and enters the turbine. For a reaction turbine, the discharge level is where the water is discharged from the outlet pipe.

The static head increases as the water level at the intake increases. Minimum static head is where the water level aligns with the top of the inlet pipe keeping in mind the inlet pipe entry needs to remain submerged.

Micro-hydro static head The static head (or gross head) is the vertical distance between the water level at the intake and the point at which the water is discharged.

Dynamic head
The dynamic head (in metres) is the static head (or gross head) less the losses in the pipework. The losses are summed and converted to a pressure head value in metres. The dynamic head is therefore the actual amount of water pressure head available to generate electricity.

Friction losses should be minimised by:

short pipe lengths large pipe diameters few pipe bends high-radius pipe bends steep gradient. Friction losses will also occur when the intake gets blocked.

Water flow rate

The water flow rate (in litres per second) is the amount of water moving through a pipe in a specific period of time. As the water flow rate increases, the turbine spins faster and more electricity is generated.

The main water flow will typically vary during the year and between years and may be dependent on:

seasonal rainfall snow and ice melt in the mountains cycles of flooding or drought blockages higher up the water source. Micro-hydro generators work best where there is reasonably continuous water supply, giving a reasonably constant static head. It is important to determine what the average year-round water level is at the intake, as this will be used for the static head to determine the year-round power output.

Any intake water storage system (e.g. dam, bin) with a reasonably constant water flow into it will maintain a consistent or equilibrium water level. When storage water levels are:

higher, the generator flow rate increases until the level drops lower, the generator flow rate decreases until the level rises. This equilibrium water level will be the design static head for the system. However, it can be difficult to determine initially as it is related to the water flow rate through the generator and in the main water source. The water flow rate at a site is not simple to measure and may require the temporary installation of a weir. The water flow rate through the generator can be determined by iterative design techniques for different water heads.

Turbine capacity
The micro-hydro generation capacity specific to the installed system depends on the effectiveness of converting the linear water pressure force into turbine rotary inertia and then electricity. This increases with:

larger pipe diameter and turbine size allowing a higher water flow rate appropriate turbine blade profile for the average water flow rate and pressure lower friction losses in the turbine shaft assembly.

Installation

The micro-hydro system:

will require a building consent and a resource consent should be installed as close as possible to the electricity supply or storage system, to reduce line power losses must withstand the water loads must have protection from impact, particularly for the less solid pipework

generally requires little maintenance as it has few moving parts the main issue is normally having to replace the alternator brushes and flushing the turbine may need regular cleaning of the filter, depending on the amount of debris in the water supply must incorporate a means of restricting the natural outward flow of water to build up reserve capacity must incorporate a bypass overflow in case of flooding of the reservoir.

Electricity supply connection

output AC may be:

Electrical power from the micro-hydro generator system can be available continuously at consistent output levels. The

transferred as AC to the building for immediate use, via a controller that gives a 240V AC at 50 Hz power supply, or converted by a rectifier to DC for storage in batteries. The choice between AC supply and DC storage is dependent on the reliability of electrical generation and the capacity of the generator to meet peak demand.

Options include:

output all the AC directly to the building, where electrical generation is continuously guaranteed and generator capacity is greater than peak demand output some of the AC directly to the building, with the rest converted to DC storage, where peak demand is occasionally a little higher than generator capacity or there is occasional reduced electrical generation convert all of the AC to DC storage, where electrical generation is inconsistent, or peak demand greatly exceeds generator capacity.

Environmental impact
Micro-hydro generator systems have an impact on the water course. They may potentially affect:

plant and fish life in the water plant and animal life beside the water other users of the water further down stream the stability of the surrounding land thought the excavation for the reservoir.

Water diversion for micro-hydro system

Even small dams can have a significant impact both downstream and upstream as they are a break-point in the water system. It is therefore more usual, and more acceptable to the consenting authorities, to temporarily divert a portion of the main water flow into the micro-hydro generator. The water is returned downstream, and there is no block in movement up or down stream.In general, the amount of water used for the micro-hydro system should be no more than 50% of the minimum seasonal flow rate of the water source.

More information

www.energywise.govt.nz - small-scale hydro generation www.electricsystems.co.nz - microhydro www.cat.org.uk - MicroHydro Systems (PDF) Natural Resources Canada - Hydro Buyer's Guide (PDF)

Micro-hydro power

Using water power to fight poverty

Micro-hydro power is the small-scale harnessing of energy from falling water, such as steep mountain rivers. Using this renewable, indigenous, non-polluting resource, micro-hydro plants can generate power for homes, hospitals, schools and workshops. Practical Action promotes small-scale hydro schemes that generate up to 500 kilowatts of power. The microhydro station, which converts the energy of flowing water into electricity, provides poor communities in rural areas with an affordable, easy to maintain and long-term solution to their energy needs. We have developed micro-hydro systems with communities in Peru, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, and Kenya. These systems, which are designed to operate for a minimum of 20 years, are usually 'run-of-the-river' systems.

How it works Impact How you can help Further Info

Micro-hydro: the basics

"Run of the river" systems do not require a dam or storage facility to be constructed. Instead they divert water from the stream or river, channel it in to a valley and drop it in to a turbine via a pipeline called a penstock.

The turbine drives a generator that provides the electricity to the local community. By not requiring an expensive dam for water storage, run-of-the-river systems are a low-cost way to produce power. They also avoid the damaging environmental and social effects that larger hydroelectric schemes cause, including a risk of flooding. Water from the river is channelled through a settling basin, which helps to remove sediment that could harm the turbine. The water then flows into the Forebay Tank where it is directed downhill through a pipe called a penstock. When the water reaches the bottom, it drives a specially designed turbine to produce the electricity.

Whats the environmental impact?

Unlike traditional power stations that use fossil fuels, micro-hydro generators have practically no effect on the environment. And because they dont depend on dams to store and direct water, theyre also better for the environment than large-scale hydro-electric stations. In fact, by reducing the need to cut down trees for firewood and increasing farming efficiency, micro-hydro has a positive effect on the local environment.

The power to recharge communities

Micro-hydro power can also be supplied to villages via portable rechargeable batteries. People can use these convenient sources of electricity to fuel anything from workshop machines to domestic lighting and there are no expensive connection costs. The batteries are charged at a station in the village, thus providing the local community with a clean, renewable source of power.

For industrial use, the output from the turbine shaft can be used directly as mechanical power, as opposed to converting it into electricity via a generator or batteries. This is suitable for agro-processing activities such as milling, oil extraction and carpentry. Micro-hydro schemes are owned and operated by the communities they serve, with any maintenance carried out by skilled members of that community. So they provide employment in themselves, as well as providing the power to re-energise entire communities.

What does it cost?

Costs are different for every case, and it is impossible to give an accurate figure without knowing the specifics of the site. From our experience, the cost varies from approximately 1,200 to 4,000 per installed kW, when using appropriate technologies, which are much cheaper than using conventional approaches and technolgies.

Micro-hydro projects on video

Practical Action's micro-hydro work in Peru Adam Hart-Davis reports on a micro-hydro project in Kenya

Why is it needed?
Of course, every communitys particular needs are different. But in general, access to energy is a vital stage in the development of remote villages like these. It can lead to swift and significant improvements in education, sanitation, healthcare and the overall standard of living. These benefits are achieved both directly - as in the provision of light - and indirectly - as the time and money that people save is redirected into other projects. Micro-hydro systems like these are designed to operate for a minimum of twenty years if they are properly looked after. Thats why we train local people to build and maintain their own system. And by making a small charge for use, communities can accumulate enough money to pay for the replacement of the unit at the end of its useful life. Once schemes are set up, they should continue to function indefinitely without any more external funding.

Tungu-Kabri micro-hydro power project in Kenya

The Tungu-Kabri micro-hydro power project in Kenya is a cheap, sustainable and small-scale technology that harnesses the energy of falling water to make electricity. This project was the first of its kind in Kenya. Funded by the United Nations Development Programme and developed by Practical Action East Africa and the Kenyan Ministry of Energy, the project benefits 200 households (around 1,000 people) in the Mbuiru village river community. The project is a cheap, sustainable and small-scale technology that harnesses the energy of falling water to make electricity. It also alleviates the environmental problems associated with using wood and dung for cooking, diesel for milling and kerosene for lighting - and keeps on working, even in the face of drought.

The problem
Life is hard for the women and men in rural Kenya and the need for access to modern, clean energy is acute. 96 per cent off Kenyans live without access to grid electricity. In rural homes, families spend at least a third of their income on kerosene for lighting and diesel for the milling of grain. Kenyan women also devote a huge amount of time collecting, processing and using wood and dung for cooking - time which could be spent on child care, education or income generation. And according to the UN, in a country where nearly 80 percent of the population rely on farming for a living, poor farmers face declining yields and incomes in the traditional coffee and tea growing areas which pushes them into even more biting poverty. Just to survive, they will be forced to clear forests in higher, cooler, areas. This can only add to environmental damage, which in turn can lead to increased poverty, hunger and ill health.

Putting the power in peoples hands

Mbuiru village - 200 kilometres north of Nairobi - is a typical rural village in Kenya. It is very poor, with few opportunities for change. However, villagers in Mbuiru had the will to help themselves to generate the power to beat drought and poverty. Step 1 The project site is assessed. Many rivers do keep flowing, however bad the drought. Practical Action looked at flow records going back 40 years, to ensure the water power project will work. The River Tubgu, near Mbuiru is perfect. Step 2 Practical Action explains its intentions at a village meeting. The villagers have many questions - the only hydro-power people know about means big dams. Practical Action explains how a small scheme could help them, how it works and how it would belong to all the villagers. Everyone is eager. Step 3 Villagers hold back the river and start to build an intake weir and canal, giving up every Thursday to labour for months. Families work together, digging, shifting stones and laying concrete. The canal alone takes many weeks to build. Step 4 Groups of villagers toil to make bays to clean dirt out of the water, and build a tank to hold the water before it goes through penstock pipes into a turbine. People learn to mend as they build, so they can do repairs themselves. Step 5 Two years later, power! The powerhouse goes up, in goes the machinery. Now the river can be released. The villagers hold their breath. It works and all that effort seems worthwhile.

Impact on the future

"This power is wonderful, says villager Mrs Kaburu. All of us will feel the benefit for many years to come. The project generates an estimated 18 kilowatts of electrical energy. This amount can light 90 homes and Practical Action estimates that the power the system generates will benefit about 200 households. In the months ahead, the villagers will be able to light their homes, save time and run small enterprises with this power. This will bring them a little vital money, to help buy clothes, food, and even schooling for their children. Also, water power also means less wood is used - so the environment benefits.

Water-powered computers in Sri Lanka

For a school facing an energy crisis a small pico hydro scheme installed with help from Practical Action has come to the rescue. Pico hydro manages to produce energy from the smallest of river streams - typically a pico hydro scheme can produce upto 5Kw of energy. The Batuwangala Maha Vidyalaya school in Galle Sri Lanka has transformed the lives of its pupils and villagers by introducing the internet and providing online access to the modern world. A computer centre with 23 desktop computers has been funded through the Secondary Education Modernisation Project (SEMP). But there remained a problem. The SEMP grant only covered the cost of the equipment and the monthly internet bill. It did not stretch to paying for the electricity. As most of the students came from poor families, they were unable to contribute to the cost of powering the centre that had had such a positive impact on their lives. With a rising electricity bill, the school faced being cut-off from their link to an online world of knowledge and resources.

The schools plight was brought to the attention of Practical Actions Enhancing Renewable Energy Options (EREO) project. The team set to work to secure an alternative power source. A visit to the school revealed lots of natural nearby water sources and the plan for a pico hydro energy scheme was hatched. Pico hydro can produce up to 5KW of energy from the smallest of streams. A power house was built by students of the local Open University of Sri Lanka and materials were sourced from a pico hydro machine manufacturer. On completion, the power centre could produce 650-watts of electricity - a small amount but just enough to power the computer lab and save the school. The Batuwangala Maha Vidyalaya school is now considered a sustainable energy pioneer. No longer does it rely on the main Sri Lanka grid. The pico hydro system can power four computers and all the light-bulbs in the school at the same time. The schools overall electricity bill has been halved as a result. The students have gained not only a sustainable source of electricity, but also learnt how they can produce their own energy. Theyve now set up a maintenance committee which takes turns in making sure the pico hydro system is working properly. If you want to see the impact the computer centre has had visit the blog set up by the school.

"You have brought us something great. We can only call it a miracle."

Electricity is the miracle that Francis Mwai, a resident of Kathamba, Kenya, described to Practical Action visitors. Kathamba, 130 kilometres north of the capital Nairobi, and Thima are villages involved in a pilot scheme bringing electricity to remote areas where national grid connection is costly and difficult. Thanks to Practical Action, Nottingham Trent University and members of Kathamba Self Help Group 2000, a pico-hydro power unit is now providing electricity for 30-plus homes with another 35 awaiting connection. Thimas scheme already covers 66 homes with more connections planned. This scheme aims to highlight how these smaller versions of micro-hydro systems can generate electricity from very small streams. The Kenyan Energy Ministrys Department of Renewable Energy, dubbed it "wonderful". No more travelling to buy or recharge batteries for lighting, radios or televisions. No more buying fuel for lighting homes. Kathamba villager Sebastian Wakone previously used kerosene for lighting, but now pico-hydro power means that savings on fuel can go towards other essential family budget areas, particularly his childrens education. "No longer will our children fail to study due to lack of ten bob for purchasing paraffin," said Kathamba Self Help Group 2000 chairman, James Muchira.While Practical Action helped provide power generation equipment, technical knowledge and support, the local people contributed

the hard physical work. "It has really helped us as a community," according to Thima resident Polly Murimi. Access to energy offers communities simple yet life changing opportunities such as education, sanitation and healthcare. Which, lets face it, are all any humans right. Providing electricity costs so little compared to the life changing assistance it can offer; which is ultimately the opportunity to overcome poverty. You can help turn this into a reality for so many more people by making a donation or by making your point:

Micro Hydro Power Pros and Cons

News Energy | Biofuels | Environment | Hydrogen | Solar | Transportation | Wind Share on twitterShare on googleShare on facebookShare on emailShare on printShare on redditMore Sharing Services October 26th, 2006 - View Comments Small-scale micro hydro power is both an efficient and reliable form of energy, most of the time. However, there are certain disadvantages that should be considered before constructing a small hydro power system. It is crucial to have a grasp of the potential energy benefits as well as the limitations of hydro technology. There are some common misconceptions about micro-hydro power that need to be addressed. With the right research and skills, micro hydro can be an excellent method of harnessing renewable energy from small streams. This article will attempt to outline some of the advantages and disadvantages of small scale water turbines. YouTube: Micro Hydro Power Micro Hydro Pros Advantages Efficient energy source It only takes a small amount of flow (as little as two gallons per minute) or a drop as low as two feet to generate electricity with micro hydro. Electricity can be delivered as far as a mile away to the location where it is being used. Reliable electricity source Hydro produces a continuous supply of electrical energy in comparison to other small-scale renewable technologies. The peak energy season is during the winter months when large quantities of electricity are required. No reservoir required Microhydro is considered to function as a run -of-river system, meaning that the water passing through the generator is directed back into the stream with relatively little impact on the surrounding ecology. Cost effective energy solution Building a small-scale hydro-power system can cost from $1,000 $20,000, depending on site electricity requirements and location. Maintenance fees are relatively small in comparison to other technologies. Power for developing countries Because of the low-cost versatility and longevity of micro hydro, developing countries can manufacture and implement the technology to help supply much needed electricity to small communities and villages. Integrate with the local power grid If your site produces a large amount of excess energy, some power companies will buy back your electricity overflow. You also have the ability to supplement your level of micro power with intake from the power grid. Micro Hydro Cons Disadvantages Suitable site characteristics required In order to take full advantage of the electrical potential of small streams, a suitable site is needed. Factors to consider are: distance from the power source to the location where energy is required, stream size (including flow rate, output and drop), and a balance of system components inverter, batteries, controller, transmission line and pipelines. Energy expansion not possible The size and flow of small streams may restrict future site expansion as the power demand increases. Low-power in the summer months In many locations stream size will fluctuate seasonally. During the summer months there will likely be less flow and

therefore less power output. Advanced planning and research will be needed to ensure adequate energy requirements are met. Environmental impact The ecological impact of small-scale hydro is minimal; however the low-level environmental effects must be taken into consideration before construction begins. Stream water will be diverted away from a portion of the stream, and proper caution must be exercised to ensure there will be no damaging impact on the local ecology or civil infrastructure. Misconceptions Myths about hydro power Small streams do not provide enough force to generate power The Truth: Energy output is dependant on two major factors: the stream flow (how much water runs through the system) and drop (or head), which is the vertical distance the water will fall through the water turbine. A large water reservoir is required The Truth: Most small-scale hydro systems require very little or no reservoir in order to power the turbines. These systems are commonly known as run-of-river, meaning the water will run straight through the generator and back into the stream. This has a minimal environmental impact on the local ecosystem. Hydro generators will damage the local ecosystem The Truth: Careful design is required to ensure the system has a minimal impact on the local ecology. A small amount of energy compromise may result, but this will ensure that the project does not have an effect on local fish stocks. The Environment Agency requires that stream levels must be maintained at a certain level in order to sustain the life within. Since there is no loss of water in the generation process, these requirements can easily be met. Micro hydro electricity is unreliable The Truth: Technology advances (such as maintenance-free water intake equipment and solid-state electrical equipment) ensure that these systems are often more reliable in remote areas. Often these systems are more dependable than the local power main. The electricity generated is low quality The Truth: If the latest electronic control equipment, inverters and alternators are used, the resultant power supply has the potential to be of higher quality the main electrical power grid. Hydro power is free The Truth: Micro power development can be cost-intensive to build and maintain. There are some fixed maintenance costs. These costs vary according to site location and material requirements.

Though Hydro power is used over a century, in the past one decade, there is a large growth in mini and micro hydro power in Asia. Several country level government programmes, technical assistance and support from donor organizations and CDM are the key reasons for the development of mini and micro hydro power systems. The definition of micro and mini hydro power varies from country to country. In general micro hydro is less than 100kW capacity. Mini hydro ranges from above 100 kW to less than 10 MW. Pico hydro is a very small scale power generation up to 10kW. The advantage of small hydro power plants is their cost effectiveness and reliability of providing clean electricity. Small and micro hydro power systems can be installed in river or streams with little or no negative environmental impacts and most of the systems do not require a dam.

micro hydro plant in Africa

dam for a micro hydro

micro hydro plant in Laos

stream suitable for micro, pico hydro

Micro hydro power generation is a good option for rural electrification and several such plants are in operation in developing countries serving rural communities. The electric power generation potential is proportional to the height (head) of water, flow rate and hydraulic efficiency of the turbine. The efficiency of these hydro plants range from 60-80%. The efficiency of hydro power plants increases with the increase in size. In general, the operating life of hydro power plants is much higher than the conventional power plants. It also requires considerably less labor for operation. There are several equipment suppliers in India and China supplying low cost mini and micro hydro plants. However, life cycle cost should be taken into account before buying the hydro power plant. For services related to mini and micro hydro power, contact us.