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WeeHydro.com - Micro Hydro Energy

Micro hydro is a term used for hydroelectric power installations that typically produce up to 100 kW of power. They are often used in water rich areas as a Remote Area Power Supply (RAPS). There are many of these installations around the world, in particular in the developing world, where they are used for the fight against poverty. Several installations also now deliver around 50 kW in the Solomon Islands, supplying energy for small communities.

Micro hydro is frequently accomplished with a pelton wheel for high head, low flow water supply. The installation is often just a small dammed pool, at the top of a waterfall, with several hundred feet of pipe leading to a small generator housing.

In low-head installations, maintenance and mechanism costs often become important. A low-head system moves larger amounts of water, and is more likely to encounter surface debris. For this reason a Banki turbine, a pressurized self-cleaning cross-flow waterwheel, is often preferred for low-head micro hydro power systems. Though less efficient, the more simple structure is less expensive than other low-head turbines of the same capacity. Since the water flows in, then out of it, it cleans itself and is less prone to jam with debris. Other options include Francis and Propeller turbines.

Micro hydro systems complement photovoltaic solar energy systems because in many areas, water flow, and thus available hydro power, is highest in the winter when solar energy is at a minimum.

Micro Hydro: How it works

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Hydro Energy project video:

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BBC Look North Mini Hydro Electricity Demo Video (£20,000 System - WTF?):

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Whitfield (Northumberland) Micro Hydro Scheme Demo Video:

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Australian Low-Head Micro-Hydro Demo Video:

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Micro Hydro, 200 watt, Cost $130 to make at Mae Klang Luang Thailand:

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Micro Hydro Project, Tak Province, Thailand:

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Micro Hydro, 500 watts, Thailand Mae Klang Luang:

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Brief tour of Banki turbine hydro system:

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Very Basic Hydro System Demo (May be suitable for campers etc):

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