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'''Pico hydro''' is a term used for [[hydroelectric power]] generation of under 5kW. It is useful in small, remote communities that require only a small amount of electricity - for example, to power one or two fluorescent light bulbs and a TV or radio in 50 or so homes<ref>[http://www.t4cd.org/Resources/ICT_Resources/Projects/Pages/ICTProject_287.aspx]</ref>. Even smaller turbines of 200-300W may power a single home in a developing country with a drop of only 1 meter. Pico-hydro setups typically are run-of-stream, meaning that dams are not used, but rather pipes divert some of the flow, drop this down a gradient, and through the turbine before being exhausted back to the stream. |
'''Pico hydro''' is a term used for [[hydroelectric power]] generation of under 5kW. It is useful in small, remote communities that require only a small amount of electricity - for example, to power one or two fluorescent light bulbs and a TV or radio in 50 or so homes<ref>[http://www.t4cd.org/Resources/ICT_Resources/Projects/Pages/ICTProject_287.aspx]</ref>. Even smaller turbines of 200-300W may power a single home in a developing country with a drop of only 1 meter. Pico-hydro setups typically are run-of-stream, meaning that dams are not used, but rather pipes divert some of the flow, drop this down a gradient, and through the turbine before being exhausted back to the stream. |
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Revision as of 14:04, 24 April 2009
Pico hydro is a term used for hydroelectric power generation of under 5kW. It is useful in small, remote communities that require only a small amount of electricity - for example, to power one or two fluorescent light bulbs and a TV or radio in 50 or so homes[1]. Even smaller turbines of 200-300W may power a single home in a developing country with a drop of only 1 meter. Pico-hydro setups typically are run-of-stream, meaning that dams are not used, but rather pipes divert some of the flow, drop this down a gradient, and through the turbine before being exhausted back to the stream.
Like other hydroelectric and renewable source power generation, pollution and consumption of fossil fuels is reduced (there is still typically an environmental cost to the manufacture of the generator and distribution methods)
Manufacturers
Two examples of pico hydro power can be found in Kenya, in the towns of Kithamba and Thimba. These produce 1.1kW and 2.2kW, respectively. Local residents were trained to maintain the hydro schemes. The pico hydro sites in Kenya won Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy.[2]
In Vietnam, several Chinese manufacturers have sold pico-powerplants at prices as low as 20-70$ for a powerplant of 300-500W. However, the devices sold are said to be low in quality and may damage connected equipment if connected improperly.
Sam Redfield of the Appropriate Infrastructure development group(AIDG) has developed a pico-hydro generator made from common PVC and a modified Toyota alternator housed in a five gallon bucket. The generator was developed to provide power to communities without access to the electricity grid in developing countries. Envisioned as an energy source to charge cell phones, provide lighting and charge batteries, the generator is designed to be made by artisans with basic skills and can be built for less than US $150.00. The Toyota alternator used in the generator is converted to a permanent magnet alternator allowing it to generate power at low RPM's. The Five Gallon Bucket Hydroelectric Generator was the subject of a work group at the 2008 International Development Design Summit(IDDS) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
See also
References
External links
- Pico hydro publications - from University of Nottingham, UK