Nando, I knew that you or somebody would disagree with my suggestions. Just because the water is there does not mean we should take as much as we can. My perspective comes from installing off-grid PV systems, where efficiency is paramount and system design starts with the loads.
Re-read Brian's original query. He emphasizes "small requirement for electricity" and also "as turnkey as possible". With those desires in mind, the DC battery charging system I described would meet his needs quite well with off the shelf components and relatively simple wiring and installation that could be easily approved by an electrical inspector. Also, using a modest flow from the river would only require a small diameter penstock, say 2". This could be done with polyethylene pipe in 300' rolls and brass couplers. This cheap and easily installed pipeline would also allow greater flexibility in where to site the generator, perhaps moving it closer to the cabin for ease of service, less wiring distance and the additional uses of pressurized water for domestic, irrigation or fire suppression needs. A 5 - 10kW AC synchronous generator would need at least a 4" penstock, possibly larger, which could quickly become the most labor intensive and expensive part of the installation. Also the frequency and voltage regulation package would probably need to be custom designed and built for this installation, it is definitely not a "turn-key" solution. An electrical inspector would also be unlikely to approve a system built without UL listed components and with the higher voltages and currents involved. Not to mention what a Fish and Wildlife or Department of Ecology type of enforcement officer would say to an instream diversion taking, say 200-400 gpm from the stream for a larger system. If this were to be a full-time residence with winter occupancy, where electric heating would be valuable, then a larger AC direct system might be a good choice. However my sense from Brian's question is that a small DC based system might meet his needs more easily and efficiently. Who knows, it is hard to speculate so much with limited information. Eric ----- Original Message ----- From: "HYDRO" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, July 16, 2005 12:00 PM Subject: Re: [microhydro] [Fwd: lots of water...no electricity] > Eric: > > To suggest 1 KW hydro charging batteries with DC/AC converters, for this > set up, where the water can provide many kilowatts, I think, it is a > dis-service. > > The setup can be made without batteries and many KILOWATTS. > > We do not know the head, but Brian is indicating that the river has great > capabilities, therefore for a natural direct generation of AC Voltages > with > capacity, if needed, for electrical heating and cooking, in addition of > being able to start and run motors for his wood working tools. > > Including capacity to run air conditioning if needed. > > A Turgo turbine driving a generator directly . > > Nando > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Eric Youngren" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Saturday, July 16, 2005 11:19 AM > Subject: Re: [microhydro] [Fwd: lots of water...no electricity] > > >> Hi Brian, >> >> >> I would suggest that you browse the RE Directory at www.homepower.com to >> find a renewable energy professional in your area who could help you >> design >> and install a good system to meet your needs. >> >> If you're into to doing it yourself. I'd suggest getting a copy of >> "Microhydro" by Scott Davis. Find it here: >> http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0865714843/qid=1121529348/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-4284025-3495910?v=glance&s=books&n=507846 >> >> >> With the amount of water and head that you describe you could generate a >> great deal of power, but with the loads you describe you don't really >> need >> that much. A DC battery charging system generating 500 - 1000W >> continuously >> would be good. Check these out: >> >> www.harrishydro.com >> www.hipowerhydro.com >> >> >> With that kind of system you'd use the hydro to keep a battery bank >> charged, >> with a diversion load to dump excess power as heat. You'll need a power >> system with an inverter to create AC power for your loads. Here I >> recommend >> Outback Power: >> >> http://www.outbackpower.com/PS2.htm >> >> >> The intake will be one of the most important parts of the system to >> design >> correctly and build in a way that is low maintanence and low impact on >> the >> river. This product is the best for intake screens: >> >> www.hydroscreen.com >> >> >> It sounds like you have a beautiful spot there. Good luck with your >> project! >> >> Eric >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Wim Klunne" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> To: <[email protected]> >> Sent: Saturday, July 16, 2005 8:00 AM >> Subject: [microhydro] [Fwd: lots of water...no electricity] >> >> >>> >>> Dear group, >>> >>> Please find below some correspondence from Brian Campbell regarding a >>> piece of remote land be bought that seems to have hydro potential. >>> >>> Any member of the group that is able to assist Brian, please contact >>> him directly at [EMAIL PROTECTED], cc to the group when >>> relevant.. >>> >>> Brian, >>> I have forwarded your message to the microhydrogroup, an email >>> discussion forum with 1500+ members with a professional and/or >>> personal interest in microhydro. I hope you will get some useful >>> reactions from some of the members. For more information on the >>> forum, please see http://microhydropower.net/mhp_group >>> >>> Kind regards, >>> >>> >>> >>> Wim Klunne >>> group moderator >>> >>> -------- Original Message -------- >>> Subject: lots of water...no electricity >>> Date: Thu, 28 Apr 2005 14:11:37 -0700 >>> From: "Campbell (PROGRAMMING), Brian E." >>> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >>> To: "'[EMAIL PROTECTED]'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >>> >>> Hi folks: >>> >>> My name is Brian Campbell.....I just recently purchased 280 acres >>> of >>> remote mountain country....I've got a rushing mountain river that >>> never >>> stops...it's 3 feet deep and 17 feet wide....I own a half mile stretch >>> of this mountain river with a tremendous amount of fall in elevation >>> from where the river comes onto my property and where the river >>> leaves....so to say I have endless amounts of water is true.....I am >>> in >>> the process of building a cabin back in there and don't want the >>> continous hum of a generator.....I only want to power my >>> cabin....maybe >>> a couple small kitchen gadgets inside and of course power tools (saws, >>> drills, sanders, typical woodworking tools) outside.....there will be >>> no >>> use for A.C. >>> >>> With endless amounts of water and a very small requirement for the >>> amount of needed electricity, I believe I have an ideal situation for >>> turning to Hydro electricity. >>> >>> So, with all of that in mind, who can I talk to about finding just >>> about the smallest micro hydro plant they make and possibly purchasing >>> something as close to turnkey as possible. >>> >>> Help >>> >>> Brian >>> >>> (916) 201-8573 >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> Does your company feature in the microhydro business directory at >>> http://microhydropower.net/directory ? If not, please register free of >>> charge and be exposed to the microhydro community world wide! >>> >>> NOTE: The advertisements in this email are added by Yahoogroups who >>> provides us with free email group services. The microhydro-group does >>> not >>> endorse products or support the advertisements in any way. >>> >>> More information on micro hydropower at http://microhydropower.net >>> >>> To unsubscribe: send empty message to >>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>> Yahoo! Groups Links >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> Does your company feature in the microhydro business directory at >> http://microhydropower.net/directory ? If not, please register free of >> charge and be exposed to the microhydro community world wide! >> >> NOTE: The advertisements in this email are added by Yahoogroups who >> provides us with free email group services. The microhydro-group does not >> endorse products or support the advertisements in any way. >> >> More information on micro hydropower at http://microhydropower.net >> >> To unsubscribe: send empty message to >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> Yahoo! Groups Links >> >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > > > Does your company feature in the microhydro business directory at > http://microhydropower.net/directory ? If not, please register free of > charge and be exposed to the microhydro community world wide! > > NOTE: The advertisements in this email are added by Yahoogroups who > provides us with free email group services. The microhydro-group does not > endorse products or support the advertisements in any way. > > More information on micro hydropower at http://microhydropower.net > > To unsubscribe: send empty message to > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > Does your company feature in the microhydro business directory at http://microhydropower.net/directory ? If not, please register free of charge and be exposed to the microhydro community world wide! NOTE: The advertisements in this email are added by Yahoogroups who provides us with free email group services. The microhydro-group does not endorse products or support the advertisements in any way. More information on micro hydropower at http://microhydropower.net To unsubscribe: send empty message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/microhydro/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
