Small Generation
Small Generation
(OP)
Hello,
I have the oppurtunity to purchase a piece of land that has a river "running through it". At one point in the land the river has a steep change in head of about 20-30ft. In the 1960's the local utilities actually purchased the land to set up a small generating station (the foundation was poured). Does anyone have any articles on performing feasibility studies for small hydro generation? Also what is the smallest capacity I need to make it viable to connect to the grid (realizing every state/province has different issues)? Any suggestion are appreciated.
I have the oppurtunity to purchase a piece of land that has a river "running through it". At one point in the land the river has a steep change in head of about 20-30ft. In the 1960's the local utilities actually purchased the land to set up a small generating station (the foundation was poured). Does anyone have any articles on performing feasibility studies for small hydro generation? Also what is the smallest capacity I need to make it viable to connect to the grid (realizing every state/province has different issues)? Any suggestion are appreciated.






RE: Small Generation
RE: Small Generation
RE: Small Generation
on hydro plants for another project & came across this- www.ieahydro.org- then there is a link to
www.small-hydro.com
I didn't see how much info was there - just made a note of the sites
RE: Small Generation
I have some documentation here indicating:
-basicaly you would require a minimum head of approx. 8 feet.
- minimum water volume flow of 2m²/sec.
regards,
Danny
RE: Small Generation
The only way you can put a generator around there is to not modify the flow of water (no dams, no alternate water flow).
///Please, how can there be no alternate water flow and no modification of the flow of water while the hydro-project is still realizable?\\\
RE: Small Generation
His biggest obstacle will be getting the permit. Environmental impact studies will take as much time as the design and construction and will be hard to get because of the reputation of hydro plants. Yes they are one of the most efficient but they are also the most damaging to the environement and this is why no new ones have been built in the US for decades.
RE: Small Generation
RE: Small Generation
If this is a 'medium' stream/crick with good-flow, I somehow doubt you are going to be attacked by zoning people. Though, it sounds like this is a full-on river??
I have even seen a slick wood-cutting operation that was water-powered. 6-Foot circular saw blades are scary, BTW...
RE: Small Generation
In making your study watch for high versus low head hydro.
Low head are often un-attractive commercially because they tend to be more expensive, prone to storm damage and subject to trash accumulation problems.
I think you could have a technically viable solution as low as 5 kW.
I think induction generators - induction motor running about 3% about synchronous speed is a common solution. Very simple controls and would probably be ideal if you are permitted to connect.
RE: Small Generation
My understanding (as a foreign observer, yeah anuther dang furiner) on the reason no new projects are being done in US is more to do with politiks, something about not wanting hydro generation to be included as renewable generation because it makes all the others look so bad in comparison, &cetera. And this (recent) "stuff" about GHG emissions from the reservoirs is about as scientific as (unmentionable).
Pechez les vaches.
RE: Small Generation
RE: Small Generation
RE: Small Generation
but a larger unit consisting of dammed up water or diverting large amounts of water will be next to immpossible. Tarzan