Best mini/micro Hydro power for poor areas

[nelectrode]

Hey guys,

I am wondering what is the best type of mini hydro power plant to produce between 1 and 5Kw of energy.

From what I understand most micro generator needs high head, and they take advantage of the relief (since power=head*flow*g)

I am looking at an area where the head is very "low", I don't have a precise value for the flow, but its small canal.

(Ideally It will be cheap)

Thanks

 

[berkeman]

Hey guys,

I am wondering what is the best type of mini hydro power plant to produce between 1 and 5Kw of energy.

From what I understand most micro generator needs high head, and they take advantage of the relief (since power=head*flow*g)

I am looking at an area where the head is very "low", I don't have a precise value for the flow, but its small canal.

(Ideally It will be cheap)

Thanks

I did a google search on Micro Hydro Generator, and got lots of interesting hits. You could look through the hit list to see if some match your low-head situation...

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sugexp...94,d.aWc&fp=77c7456ce046cad2&biw=1134&bih=902

I've also seen some discussion of in-river (or in-canal) systems that generate power from just the natural flow. I'll see if I can find those links...

 

[berkeman]

Hah! Found the PF thread I was thinking of...

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=662549&highlight

.