Northumberland England, in 1878, was the site of the first micro hydroelectric generator that powered a single electric light bulb.
The first commercial hydroelectric plant in North America was in operation in 1881 at Niagara Falls.
Simple physics allows the power of gravity, acting on water, to make a usable form of energy.
This power has become a mainstay of modern civilization.
Presently in Canada, we have some 88.974 GW of installed capacity, making us second only to China in hydroelectric production.
Micro-hydroelectric generators are typically defined as producing 22.5 kW or less of power.
This small size makes them cost effective for the average person, be it a homeowner or any remote lodge fortunate enough to have the topography and an adequate water supply available for power production.
Fast-flowing springs are fairly common in the foothills and parkland of west Central Alberta, the mountains of the Easter Slopes and, if you live in B.C., small streams and vertical real estate are abundant.
Micro-hydro, as the name implies, is a small hydroelectric generator designed for the homeowner.
The beauty of a small water turbine is its continuous power production. Twenty four/seven, the turbine is driven by the force of gravity pulling water relentlessly downhill.
Economics and energy requirements determine the size of water turbine and alternate energy system essential to power the off-grid home.
Again, location and potential of the water source are the physically constraining points to consider, and it’s these factors that also play a large role in installation costs.
The simplest and cheapest is one where the height of land allows for a spring or natural pool to be tapped and a two- or three-inch pipe installed to deliver the water to the turbine at a somewhat lower elevation.
A site in Alberta has a disadvantage to one on the coast of British Columbia, that being freezing temperatures.
Freezing temperatures pose problems but none that with a little planning and foresight are insurmountable. Mount the intake below normal ice level in you reservoir with a screen designed for remote cleaning; insulate the inflow “penstock” piping and having an insulated building for the micro turbine will assure trouble-free operation.
If you are lucky enough to possess a spring with a strong enough flow, a dam system may not be necessary.
And if your vertical drop is steep enough, the insulation may not be required.
Once topography is addressed, the second consideration would be the design and procurement of the hydroelectric equipment.
Canada has a number of suppliers of micro-hydro equipment so procurement is not a large concern, but care has to be taken in the design of the system to match available resources to energy requirements.
Similar to a solar array, charge controllers, batteries for storage and inverters for electrical control and distribution complete the system.
In the right situation, the production of energy from a micro-hydro unit is a viable alternative for your energy needs.
Lorne Oja is an energy consultant, power engineer and a partner in a company that installs solar panels, wind turbines and energy control products in Central Alberta. He built his first off-grid home in 2003 and is in the planning stage for his second. His column appears every second Friday in the Advocate. Contact him at: lorne@solartechnical.ca