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From our humble beginnings over a decade ago PowerSpout turbines have developed into world leading products. We make each one specifically tailored to your site and energy needs. Sustainably manufactured here in New Zealand in our off-grid workshop using up to 68% recycled materials.
PowerSpout turbines are modular so if you have an appropriate water resource installing multiple units has many advantages. All hydro turbines require periodic maintenance and if multiple units are installed the power generation doesn''t need to stop during this time. Keeping our turbines modular and lightweight means they can be affordably air freighted anywhere in the world.
Once you have collected your site data you can use one of our advanced calculators to accurately predict how much power your water resource can produce. Our calculators will also show you the impact of different design considerations such as pipe length and diameter, system voltage, cable size and material.
It is well known that energy is generated by building dams over giant underwater turbines; however it is possible to use micro hydro generators (<100kW) or pico hydro generators (<5kW) on more modest water flows. In this section we explore where the technology can be used in a small scale area, for example the home or a community project. More about industrial size dams and solutions can be found in the green commercial section.
Obviously, there is a fundamental requirement on a steady stream of moving water, however they have an advantage over solar power (both solar PV and solar heating) and wind, in that they can run day and night and in any weather conditions provided the we don''t have a prolonged drought period where streams and brooks can dry up.
The amount of energy produced is reliant on two things:
The flow of water is simply the quantity of water flowing in the water source, which is measured in litres per second.
The other key factor is the head – this refers to the pressure at which the water hits the turbine blades, and is the vertical distance from the water source to the generator. The larger the distance that the water falls before it hits the blade, the higher the head. Ideally both the flow and the head will be high, however if one of these is particularly high, while the other is low there is still the potential for a rich source of electricity.
You can estimate the number of kilowatts of energy produced by multiplying the flow (litres/sec) by the head (m) and multiplying by 9.81 (gravitational constant). Remember a typical house uses 4500kWh per year.
The type of turbine that is used varies depending on the type of flow available, however typically a residential generator uses a pipe to collect water from a river or a stream. Using gravity the water moves through the pipe ''downhill'' and a generator situated within the pipe acts to change the kinetic energy from the water flow into electrical energy.
When you have high head (the vertical distance from the water source to the generator), you are best using an impulse turbine (such as a Pelton turbine). This turbine is not submerged in the water, instead it sits in the air, and consists of buckets around a central hub. The nozzle at the end of the pipe converts the water into a fast moving jet. This jet of water is directed at the buckets, and the force of the the water causes the turbine to spin generating the power. The smallest type of high head turbine requires a head of at least 10-14 metres, and a water flow of 3-4 litres/ second, and this is rated at producing 200 watts of power.
For medium head water flows, it is best to use a reaction turbine. With a 3-12 metre head and a water flow of 45 litres/ second, you can get a reaction turbine that will produce about 3000 watts of power. Obviously as with the high head turbines, if either the head or the flow increases, you will see dramatic increases in the potential electricity your system is capable of generating.
For low head water flows, you obviously require a high flow rate, and in this situation an old style water wheel is the best. So the water fills the buckets which fill up, then pulling the wheel down, so the next bucket is filled, and this process is continued so the wheel spins (albeit very slowly). However the advantage of this type of system is that any potential blockages just simply wash through the system. Gearing can be used in conjunction with water wheels to increase the speed that the generator spins to help electricity production. Water wheels are also aesthetically pleasing on the eye!
If you are lucky enough to have a water flow source on your property that either has high head or sizeable flow, a micro hydroelectric generating system may be the perfect solution for your energy needs. Despite potential seasonal fluctuations in flow and head, a micro hydroelectric system will provide you with electricity 24/7, with very little maintenance necessary.
hi we have a quickly flowing river at the end of the garden and and own the field at the opposition side. We are looking at renewables and am interested in hydro electric as a supply to a Eco house project and a revenue. We are looking for a company to help us with this project.
Kindly contact me for recommended suppliers of Hydro Power in the U.K.
The document is very much educative has taught me alot.there is a fast flowing stream at my home and I think it is un uterlised resource.is it possible to support me produce electricity from this?
Would you also be able to give me a list of supppllers, I also have a small river inn my garden and would love to use it
Hello, I happened to visit a community in the mountain. They don’t have electricity. I built a paddle wheel conected to a shaft and to a pulley to an alternator. There is an abundantwater but I can’t produce a good rpm. Please help me help this community in the mountain. Thanks
Hi Daniel, its important that the horizontal velocity of the water leaving the launder is about the same as the tangental speed that you want the wheel to turn, water wheel launders usually have a sluice gate in them that holds back some head in the launder so the water coming out under the gate is the required velocity
Hi uld I please have a list of hydro installers/suppliers in the north West England please. I have a head of 13m with a flow of 2.9lps which increases in the winter months and would like to discuss viability. Thankyou
COMMENT (*)hello we have a creek flowing through aur property I will need you’re technical guardence in the selection of the right size of a three phase waterpump to provide electricity at aur school in the village
Your website is really rather misleading with respect to Micro Hydroelectric Power. I called for some general advice and was told that you have no one with expertise to discuss, nor could you recommend anyone. Disappointing response.
Here Davey, take it easy and look, ya scorcher. Just get a solar panel strapped to your heid. That’ll give enough power for all your requirements and you can stop annoying everyone on here.
Hi David, thanks for your comment. Unfortunately micro hydroelectric is extremely rare – we have to concentrate on more common enquiries. Unfortunately we don’t get Funding from the Government or a third party so we have to direct resources where they get the biggest results. I suggest ringing the energy saving trust (who receive approximately £6m of Government funding each year) and see if they can help!
Hi, Where can I buy the ‘quick-install’ pico hydro system that is shown at the head of this page? (painted blue, that looks like a sluice gate chained to the bank)
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