Micro-Hydro

When we examine the many renewable power sources available to us today, the emerging technology of micro hydro power shows a lot of promise. We've known for centuries that running water can be harnessed to provide energy that can be used in a wondrous selection of applications. What our ancestors were unaware of was that the same running water that turned a mill stone can also produce electricity that we can use or store. This is microhydro, literally micro + hydro, or “small water.”

In today's technical language, a micro hydro installation generates hydroelectric energy, usually in amounts up to around a hundred kilowatts of power. Micro hydro generators are ideal in regions with abundant water, not unlike wind power turbines being especially suited for areas with a good amount of steady wind. Small micro hydro systems are useful throughout the world, where micro hydro electric power can make the difference for a small village or a remote homesteader.

Much like small-scale solar power generation, micro hydro power generation is delivering electricity to parts of the world that are still unconnected from a major power grid. Many of these areas are enjoying limited self-generated electrical power many years before their village will be hooked up to a larger power grid.

One of the advantages of micro hydro technology is that with a bit of instruction and the correct materials, homemade micro hydro power is possible for anyone with proximity to running water. Also, areas that are already utilizing solar systems can often use micro hydro during winter when sun exposure is lessened but water flow is increased.

There are more advantages to microhydro. For instance, only a small amount of water flow is required to successfully generate electricity. Also, there is usually very little impact on the stream or river being tapped if the correct procedures are followed. Maintenance costs are small after the modest initial investment, and power can be safely delivered within a one-mile distance.

As running water drops through a micro hydro turbine, the amount of drop (or head) can play an important role. Low head micro hydro power means a smaller water drop through the turbine.

If want to create one of your own micro hydro power plants for your homestead, farm or village, take the time to find and download a free program called MicroHydroCalc.exe that will be of enormous help when it comes to estimating the specific numbers you can expect to achieve from your own micro hydro system.

From the wisdom of our ancient ancestors who watched the water flowing by to the scientific genius of today's engineers, micro hydro comes to us as a method of bringing inexpensive electricity to faraway places.