Stand-alone mini-hydroelectric power plant (HPP) with his own hands

The strength of the water flow - it is a renewable natural resource that allows you to get almost free electricity. Donated by the nature of the energy will provide an opportunity to save money on utility bills, and solve the problem with charging equipment.

If next to your house flows a stream or river, they should use. They will be able to provide land and a house with electricity. And if the hydroelectric plant built with his own hands, the economic effect is increased by several times.

In the present article describes in detail the manufacturing techniques of private waterworks. We are told that the need for the device system and connect it to the consumers. Here you will learn about all variants of miniature energy suppliers collected from scrap materials.

Hydroelectric power nonindustrial purpose

Hydroelectric power stations - installations is capable of transforming the energy of water movement into electricity. Alternative "green" electricity suppliers while actively exploited only in the West. In our country, this promising sector only makes its first tentative steps.

Small private hydroelectric power plants can be dams on large rivers, producing from ten to several hundred magavatt or mini-hydro power plants with a maximum output of 100 kW, which is enough for the needs of private house. That's the past, and learn more.

Daisy station with gidrovintami

The design consists of a chain of rotors mounted on a flexible steel cable, a tapered across the river. Cable itself takes the role of the rotary shaft, one end of which is fixed to the support bearing, and the second - activates the generator shaft.

Each gidrorotor "garland" capable of producing approximately 2 kW of energy, however, the water flow rate for this should be at least 2.5 meters per second, and a reservoir depth not to exceed 1.5 m.

Daisy plant successfully used even in the middle of the last century, but then played the role of screws homemade props and even cans. Today, manufacturers offer several types of rotors for different operating conditions.

They are equipped with blades of different sizes, made of sheet metal, and allow to obtain the maximum efficiency from the work station.

But even in the production of the hydro generator is quite simple, its operation involves a number of special conditions, is not always feasible in real life. Such structures block the channel of the river, and it is unlikely neighbors along the coast, not to mention the representatives of environmental services, be allowed to use the energy flow for your purposes.

In addition, the installation in the winter can be used only on the ice-free waters, and in the harsh climate - to preserve or remove. Therefore festoon station temporarily erected and predominantly in unpopulated areas (e.g., about summer grazing).

The modern equivalent of a daisy chain setup - submersible or naplyvnye frame station with transverse rotors. Unlike its predecessor, the daisy, the design does not block the whole river, and It involves only a part of the channel, and they can be set on the pontoon / raft or completely lowered to the bottom pond.

Vertical Darrieus rotor

Darrieus rotor - turbine unit, which has received the name in honor of its inventor in 1931 The system consists of a number of aerodynamic blades fixed on radial beams, and works for account the differential pressure on the "lifting wing", which is widely involved in korablestroitelstve and aviation.

Although such facilities are used more to create wind turbines, they can work with water. But in this case we need exact calculations to choose the thickness and width of the blades in accordance with the force of the water flow.

To create a local hydro vertical rotors are rarely used. Despite the good performance efficiency and apparent simplicity of design, the equipment is rather complicated to use.

Before starting work the system is necessary to "roll out", but stop running and the station will only freeze the pond. Darrieus rotor therefore advantageously used in industrial plants.

Propeller- underwater "windmill"

In fact, this is the easiest air windmill, just set it under water. The dimensions of the blades to provide maximum speed and minimum resistance calculated in dependence on the strength of flow. For example, if the flow rate is less than 2 m / sec, the blade width should be within the range of 2-3 cm.

Such a wind turbine is installed "forward" flow, but its lobes do not work due to the water head pressure, and by producing a lifting force (according to the principle of an aircraft wing or a ship's propeller).

The water wheel with vanes

Water wheel - one of the simplest options for a hydraulic motor, known since the days of the Roman Empire. Its efficiency largely depends on the source type, on which it was installed.

Depending on the depth of the watercourse bed and can set various types of wheels:

• Undershot (or nizhneboynye) - suitable for shallow rivers with fast current.
• Sredneboynye - located in the channels with the natural stages so that the flow got about the middle of the rotary drum.
• Liquid (or verhneboynye) - installed under the dam, pipe or the bottom of the natural threshold, water continued to sloping road wheel through the top.

But the principle works in all versions is the same: the water hits the blades and drives the wheel, which makes rotating generator for minielektrostantsii.

Manufacturers offer ready hydraulic turbine blades which are specially adapted for a certain water flow rate. But domestic craftsmen made the old-fashioned drum design - from scrap materials.

Perhaps the lack of impact on the optimization of performance efficiency, but the cost of home-made equipment will cost several times cheaper analogue purchased. Therefore, waterwheel most popular option for organizing their mini-hydro.

Provision for hydroelectric

Despite the tempting low cost of energy generated by hydroelectric generators it is important to take into account the particular water source, whose resources you want to use for their own needs.

After all, not every watercourse is suitable for the operation of mini-hydropower plants, especially the year-round, so do not hurt to have the opportunity to reserve to the centralized backbone connection.

A few "pros" and "cons"

The main advantages of individual hydroelectric power are obvious: expensive equipment that generate cheap electricity, but still does not harm nature (as opposed to the dam covering river current). Although totally secure system can not be named - after all rotating elements turbines can cause injury to the inhabitants of the underwater world, and even people.

The advantages of mini hydro power plants:

1. Unlike other "free" energy sources (solar, wind), the hydraulic system can operate regardless of the time of day and weather. The only thing that can stop them - freezing pond.
2. To install the optional presence of a large hydro-generator of the river - the same water wheels can be successfully used even in small (but fast!) Streams.
3. Plants do not emit harmful substances do not pollute the water and work almost noiselessly.
4. For the installation of mini-hydropower plants up to 100 kW, it is not necessary to issue approval documents (although it depends on the local authorities and the type of installation).
5. Excess electricity can be sold to the neighboring house.

As for the shortcomings - a serious impediment to the productive operation of the equipment may be insufficient strength of the current. In this case it is necessary to build auxiliary structures, which is associated with additional costs.

If the potential energy of the nearby river is not enough for the production of electricity at approximate calculation of a level sufficient for practical use, it is worth paying attention to ways of construction of wind turbines. Turbine will serve as an effective complement.

Measurement of water flow force

The first thing to do is to think about the type and station installation process - to measure the speed of water flow on favored by the source.

The easiest way - to lower the rapids of any lightweight object (such as a tennis ball, a piece of foam fishing or float) and detect a stopwatch the time in which he swims the distance to any guide. Typical range for the "swim" - 10 meters.

Now we need to distance in meters divided by the number of seconds - this will be the rate of flow. But if the resulting value is less than 1 m / s need to build artificial structures to speed up the flow of elevation changes.

This is actually implemented using a collapsible dam or narrow drain pipe. But without a good flow of ideas with a hydroelectric power station will have to give.

Production of HPS based waterwheel

Of course, to collect "on the knee" and build edifice, designed to serve the business or even the village of a dozen houses - the idea of ​​the realm of fantasy. But to build with their own hands the mini-hydro power plant for electricity savings - is quite real. And you can use as a ready-made components and materials at hand.

Therefore, we consider the most simple step by step manufacturing facilities - water wheel.

Materials and tools

To make their own hands a mini-hydropower plant, you need to prepare a welding machine, grinders, drill and set of support tools - a hammer, a screwdriver, a ruler.

From the materials needed:

• The corners and the sheet metal is not less than 5 mm thick.
• PVC pipes or galvanized steel for the blades.
• Generator (can purchase ready to use or to make like in this example).
• Brake discs.
• Shaft and bearings.
• Plywood.
• The polystyrene resin to fill the rotor and stator.
• Copper wire of 15 mm for homemade generator.
• Neodymium magnets.

Note that the wheel design will be constantly in contact with water, so metal and wood elements should be selected with protection from moisture (or care about their impregnation and painting yourself). Ideally, the plywood can be replaced by plastic, but the wooden parts is easier to get and to give them the desired shape.

Wheel assembly and manufacture of the nozzle

The basis for the wheel can become two steel disc the same diameter (if you can get a steel drum on cable - excellent, it is much accelerate the build process).

But if the metal materials at hand is not found, you can cut circles from waterproof plywood, although the strength and durability even treated wood can not be compared with steel. Then, on one of the disks need to cut a circular hole for the installation of the generator.

Thereafter, the blades are made, and they will need at least 16 pieces. For this galvanized pipes cut lengthwise into two or four parts (depending on the diameter). Then the cutting surface of the blades and the very place you need to be sanded in order to reduce energy losses through friction.

The distance between the two lateral discs should be as close to the length of the blades. To chart the future location for the hub, it is recommended to make a template from plywood, which will be designated a place for each part and the holes for fixing the wheel to the generator. The finished layout can be attached on the outside of one of the discs.

Then, circles are arranged parallel to each other by means of rods with a continuous thread, and the blades are welded or fixed by bolts to the desired position. The drum rotates on bearings, and is used as a support frame parts or pipes of small diameter.

The nozzle is designed for water sources cascade type - this plant will harness the energy of the maximum flow. This auxiliary element is manufactured by bending sheet metal with subsequent welding seams, and after the tube is placed on.

However, if your area takes lowland river with no rapids and other high-altitude obstacles, this detail is not necessary.

Now the wheel is necessary to impose on the axle and install a backup of welded or bolted parts. It remains to make the generator (or set ready) and you can go to the river.

Generator with their hands

For making homemade generator to do stator winding and casting, which need coil with 125 turns of copper wire w each. After the entire structure of the compound is filled polyester resin.

Now you need to prepare a plywood template that matches the size of the brake disc.

On a wooden ring executed and counting the slits are made for the installation of magnets (in this case used neodymium magnets 1.3 cm thick, 2.5 cm wide and 5 cm long). Then, the resulting rotor is also filled with resin, and after drying - is attached to the wheel drum.

Newest mounted aluminum housing with an ammeter, closing rectifiers. The objective of these elements - to convert three-phase AC power to DC power.

To a wheel does not fall leaves, sand and other debris carried with the flow, it is desirable to place the protective net in front of the device.

It is also possible to experiment with the gaps between the magnets and the coils with an increased number of turns to increase the efficiency of hydraulic station.

About all kinds alternative energy sources you will learn by reading an article devoted to the introduction into the life of "green technologies".

Conclusions and useful videos on the topic

Video # 1. An example of running water systems with a homemade generator based on the three-phase motor:

Video # 2. Mini hydroelectric power station, constructed on the principle of water wheels:

Video # 3. Station on the basis of a bicycle wheel - an interesting solution to the problem with power supply on vacation far from civilization:

As you see, to build a water mini power station with your hands is not so difficult. But since most of the calculations and parameters for its components is determined "by eye", should be prepared for possible damage and associated costs.

If you feel a lack of knowledge and experience in this field, it is necessary to trust the professionals who fulfill all the necessary calculations, the best advise for your case equipment and quality of its produce installation.

Please write comments in the box located below. Share interesting information and useful recommendations, leave themed photo. Maybe you want to tell us how built with his own hands the existing hydroelectric power plant on the country site? We will be glad to read your story about the process of design and operation.