Hydro power is an olde stablished method of energy production.
Water is captured via a filter
/ intake structure and passes
downhill in a pipeline to the
turbine. The water exits the
pipe under pressure through
a nozzle and strikes a water
wheel (runner). The force of
which spins the runner
which is direct coupled to an
electricity generating
permanent magnet alternator
or enhanced performance
induction generator. The
electricity is then
electronically regulated and
transmitted via cable for use.
How much energy can be produced?
This depends on the water pressure and volume available.
Pressure is measured in terms of "head". Head is the
vertical
distance, in meters, from the water take-off point to the
turbine. The volume is measured as "flow" in litres
per second. Once accurate head and flow figures are available
potential energy can be calculated. Accurate site evaluations
and system design are
just some of the services available to you.
How much of the creek flow should be used?
Generally speaking less than 50% of the flow at the driest
time of year. This will allow water for the fish, other creatures
and the environment.
The greatest fall over the shortest route. It is easier and
cheaper to transmit electricity than to pipe water. A micro hydro
can be situated up to 2km from the facility it is supplying.
However when systems are designed this distance is kept as short
as
possible.
A permanent water supply is needed and a turbine site that
is above high water. Also look at the terrain, to choose the
best
route and method of running the pipe.
The higher the flow that is available the less head is needed
to produce a given amount of power, and vice versa. See performance
curves for figures.
Does Micro Hydro offer value for money?
Micro hydro is the most cost-effective way of generating
electricity where there is a reliable supply of water. Maintenance
is
minimal and there are no fuel costs. Electricity is generated
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The average hydro electric generator costs only one-tenth
as much as a solar system of equivalent output.
Each site is different so civil works and pipe costs vary
tremendously. For turbine prices see 240 V AC and Battery Charging
pages. The return on your investment is determined by how
much your electricity is costing at present, including fuel,
fuel
transport costs, maintenance, reliability, capital investment
in equipment and running costs.
Our technically advanced equipment offers quality and performance
with simplicity and reliability.
Can old systems be upgraded?
This equipment is ideal for upgrading old or abandoned micro
hydro sites. Obsolete, complicated regulators using multiple
dump loads and synchronous generators have caused many equipment
failures in the past. The modern IEESR2 regulators
(with single dump load resistance) in combination with the
hardy Platypus enhanced performance induction generators have
superseded this old technology. They offer far superior reliability
and life.
What is the difference between AC and DC units?
DC units are generally smaller and are used where the combination
of head and/or flow aren't sufficient to use an AC unit.
They produce a smaller amount electricity than AC systems
but it is collected and stored in batteries.
AC micro hydro systems have no storage (batteries). They
have to produce as much power as you intend to use at any one
time. If you start a motor eg. in a fridge or pump, you may
for example need 10,000 watts for a split second. After starting,
the
motor requires only a fraction of this power to run eg. 1,000
watts. Your AC system must be sized so that it will start your
peak electrical loads at any time. If the power is not required
it is dumped by the governor as heat.
With DC systems energy is accumulated 24 hours a day and
stored in the batteries. Energy is only dumped when the batteries
are fully charged. When a lot of energy is needed the extra
electricity is drawn from the batteries.
What type of system should I use?
Quite often your system options are determined by your site.
Site evaluation is the first step. Another factors is electrical
load.
AC systems have the ability to supply much larger loads than
DC units. There is usually a larger investment in the pipeline
for
AC systems but this is offset by the fact that no inverter
or batteries are required.
How much power do we need?
This is an individual question. A load analysis will determine
this. The "typical" Australia household requires between
250 to
350 watts continuous from a DC system or 1500 watt from a
direct 240 volt AC system.
This will run all appliances and lights in an average household,
including a fridge and washing machine. Stoves and hot water
are usually powered by gas, wood or solar hot water systems,
unless more electricity is available.
What are some of the advantages of this equipment?
In brief the technology developed in the last 20 years allows
simplification and size reduction along with a corresponding
cost
reduction. See product information for more comprehensive
information on turbine and governor features, including
use of a single resistive dump load for three and single
phase
use of enhanced performance induction generators
proven electronic regulators
. Other areas of progress include
reliable filter designs
availability of large diameter long lasting poly pipe eg.
125 mm poly in 70 m rolls.
Hydro equipment is designed to run continuously for years
before maintenance is required. Attention to detail during
installation of the pipeline, turbine and axillary equipment
are key area to ensure reliability along with proper water filtering.
About Platypus Power
Platypus Power manufacture quality micro hydro electric turbines
and control equipment that provide renewable, reliable and
cost effective electricity in remote locations. Our systems
supply homes, farms, villages, tourist resorts, telemetering
sites etc,
in rural areas not served by grid electricity. Platypus Power
also offer a site evaluation and system design service.
Platypus Power specialise in Micro Hydro design and manufacture.
They have turbines across Australia, in New Guinea, New
Zealand, Vanuatu, and Zimbabwe. The company has full accreditation
for design and installation of remote area power
systems from the Solar Energy Industries Association of Australia
(SEIAA).
What size turbines do they manufacture?
A range of off the shelf units are available from small DC
battery charging turbines to 20 kWatt AC models. Above this size
site specific turbines are manufactured .
How do I get more information?
Just E-mail us.
Indicate if you require information on how to do a preliminary
evaluation of your site.
Would you like to know our nearest approved agent who will
be able to conduct an accurate site assessment and system
design.
Send us your site measurements. Head, flow, pipeline length,
transmission distance and electrical load (if possible) Along
with any additional information you have. From this we can
calculate the potential power at your site.
TURGO IMPULSE WHEEL
The Turgo wheel is basically an improved version of the Pelton.
It was
designed by Eric Crewdson in 1920. The maximum efficiency
of an
impulse wheel is achieved when the velocity of the runners
at the center
line of the nozzle is half the velocity of the incoming water.
To achieve
the highest velocities the ratio of the diameter of the wheel
and the
diameter to the center of the nozzle should be as small as
possible.. The
Pelton wheel has a minimum ratio of 9:1, the Turgo has a
minimum ratio
of 4:1. The Turgo is half the size of the Pelton and operates
at twice the
speed. This makes the unit cheaper and reduces the amount
of gearing
necessary. The Turgo has an efficiency of over 80% and runs
on head of 40 feet or more.
Using Induction Motors as Generators
Using induction motors as generators is a very
cost effective way of providing a generator for a turbine system.
It especially works well with single phase or three phase systems
that are interconnected to the utility, as an induction system
requires no governor controls. The induction motor, instead of
consuming energy, is driven at 50 RPM over its rated speed and
the motor becomes a generator. Induction generators are much less
expensive than other types of generators, but require excitation
to operate. This is why they are ideally suited to interconnected
utility applications. It is possible to utilize induction motors
as generators in stand alone applications, utilizing the residual
magnetism in the windings, as well connecting capacitors to supply
continual excitation. Research is being done by Morehead Valley
Hydro Inc. and Thomson and Howe Energy Systems for larger stand
alone induction systems, utilizing a synchronous generator to
supply constant excitation.
In single phase operations, it is possible
to utilize induction motors as generators and get near three phase
efficiency by connecting capacitors to the other unused leg of
the motor. This can result in a very smooth running generator,
operating at 100% Power Factor (PF). The extra efficiency is gained
by the motor (generator) running balanced on all three legs, which
is actually less heat (friction) output. A tachometer is mounted
to the end of the generator shaft, which sends a signal to the
computer to maintain 60 Hz. As more water is put through the turbine,
the generator tries to speed up but is locked in at 1850 RPM,
and the net result is more power output.
MICRO HYDRO PAGE
Email Factory for
all technical
