Calculating Electricity from Rainfall: A Project Guide

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the amount of electricity that can be generated from rainfall and greywater for a project focused on energy harvesting. Participants explore the feasibility of converting collected water into electrical energy, discussing both theoretical and practical aspects of the project.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks advice on calculating electricity generation from estimated monthly rainfall.
  • Another participant requests additional details about the project, specifically how the water will be retained and converted into electricity.
  • A suggestion is made to start with the formula for potential energy of mass in a gravitational field, indicating its relevance to the project.
  • Clarification is provided that the project involves a greywater energy system, focusing on energy harvesting from water used in residential settings.
  • There is a discussion about the difference in volume between rainfall and greywater, highlighting the importance of specifying which source is being considered for energy generation.
  • A reference to a paper titled “Rainfall as an Energy Source” is provided as a potential resource for the original poster.
  • Participants express uncertainty about the project's scope, particularly regarding the distinction between rainfall and greywater and their respective implications for energy calculations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the specifics of the project, as there are competing views regarding the focus on rainfall versus greywater and the methods for calculating electricity generation from each source.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the need for additional information regarding the project setup and the calculations involved, indicating potential limitations in the current understanding of the project's requirements.

terry1993
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Thread moved from the technical forums to the schoolwork forums
Summary: I want to find out how much electric can be calculated from a certain amount of rainfall

I am doing a project. I have estimated how much water I expect per month but I am not sure how to calculate the amount of electricity I expect to generate from this rain fall can someone give me some advice
 
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Welcome!
We will need you to give us additional information about your project.
How do you plan on retaining that water and convert it into electricity?
 
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Do you know formula for the potential energy of mass in the gravitational field? That should be your starting point.

(And it is basic physics, not much to do with EE, which will come into account later).
 
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Lnewqban said:
Welcome!
We will need you to give us additional information about your project.
How do you plan on retaining that water and convert it into electricity?
well my project is on harvesting energy for a grey water energy system. so I'm trying to show that its possible to store the electricity generated from this water. I need to go into the lab and set up a test rig to show this but I am not really sure what to do on this section
 
Borek said:
Do you know formula for the potential energy of mass in the gravitational field? That should be your starting point.

(And it is basic physics, not much to do with EE, which will come into account later).
thank you ill take a look at this
 
terry1993 said:
energy for a grey water energy system.
As in storm drains/sewers?
 
Bystander said:
As in storm drains/sewers?
so like for a house or a set of apartments. estimating how much water could be used in these scenarios. from things like showers, washing hands, etc. seeing how much electricity could be generated
 
terry1993 said:
Summary: I want to find out how much electric can be calculated from a certain amount of rainfall

I am doing a project. I have estimated how much water I expect per month but I am not sure how to calculate the amount of electricity I expect to generate from this rain fall can someone give me some advice

terry1993 said:
so like for a house or a set of apartments.
Rainfall? Or, Greywater? There are orders of magnitude different volumes you are handling.
 
terry1993 said:
Summary: I want to find out how much electric can be calculated from a certain amount of rainfall

I am doing a project. I have estimated how much water I expect per month but I am not sure how to calculate the amount of electricity I expect to generate from this rain fall can someone give me some advice
Maybe, the following might be of help: “Rainfall as an Energy Source” by Curt Harting, November 28, 2010, Submitted as coursework for Physics 240, Stanford University, Fall 2010

Rainfall as an Energy Source - Stanford

 
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Lord Jestocost said:
Maybe, the following might be of help: “Rainfall as an Energy Source” by Curt Harting, November 28, 2010, Submitted as coursework for Physics 240, Stanford University, Fall 2010

Rainfall as an Energy Source - Stanford

ahh thank you
 
  • #11
Bystander said:
Rainfall? Or, Greywater? There are orders of magnitude different volumes you are handling.
well the main project is grey water is I would go with that. but have mentioned rainfall as like a back up
 

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