#FIELDLINES MICROHYDRO HOW TO#
Hydropower can be a continuous source of energy as long as enough water is flowing, and this publication will discuss hydro energy and how to sustainably harvest it. When farmers possess the rights to use the water resources that are contained on-farm, they usually face fewer obstacles both in permitting and in the efficient use of farm-scale hydropower. On a world-wide basis, however, small-scale, environmentally benign mechanical and electrical hydropower systems are very common.įarms often have easy access to lakes and ponds as well as naturally occurring streams and rivers. When we think of hydropower, we usually think of big dams and large-scale generation facilities. In fact, it is one of the world’s oldest and most common energy technologies. The generation of power from flowing and falling water is no exception. Many of the technologies for converting these renewable sources into useful power have been with us for centuries and are once again receiving widespread attention.
There is a great deal of interest today in using such renewable energy sources as solar power, wind, biomass, and flowing water to produce power to run farm equipment. Contentsĭetermining the Hydro Potential of Your SiteĬautions and Suggestions for the Do-It-YourselferĪppendix: Cost Estimate Worksheet Introduction
This publication is designed to introduce the reader to all stages of a micro-hydro project - from first considering the idea all the way through to producing power. Micro-hydro systems - those that produce less than 100 kilowatts of electricity - can offer a sustainable and continuous source of renewable energy on farms. Photo: Leif Kindberg, NCAT Abstractįarm hydropower projects have existed for many years, from waterwheels used for grinding grain and forging to modern hydroelectric turbines designed to run compressors and motors.
Micro-hydro projects operate efficiently on small streams.
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