Learning Micro Hydro Power in depth

Summary

This video explores the untapped potential of micro hydropower as a decentralized renewable energy source. The narrator shares their personal journey with micro hydro power generation, starting in the 90s with a direct drive system powered by spring water. After facing challenges due to drought, they upgraded to a more robust system using a creek. The video highlights the importance of education, as the narrator's confidence in system design came from attending a comprehensive micro hydro course at Solar Energy International. The course, taught by experienced instructors, covers all aspects of micro hydro system installation, from theory to hands-on practice, and inspires others to harness the power of water effectively.

Takeaways

• 🌊 Water power has been used for centuries to simplify physical tasks, with large-scale industrial applications like dams and reservoirs being the most common.
• 🌿 Micro hydropower is a decentralized and often overlooked method for harnessing electric capacity, which can be a viable alternative to large-scale power generation.
• 🏞️ The speaker's journey with micro hydropower began in the 1990s on an off-grid property in Colorado, utilizing spring water for power generation.
• 🔄 After 18 years, the original system faced challenges due to a mega drought and changes in water flow, leading to an upgrade to a creek-based system.
• 🔧 The upgraded system involved a significant investment, including building a new powerhouse, penstock, bridge, and power transmission line.
• 💡 The speaker gained foundational knowledge and confidence in micro hydropower systems through a course at Solar Energy International (SEI) in 1993.
• 👨‍🏫 The SEI course, taught by Ken Gardner and Gabe Stevens, provided comprehensive training on micro hydropower, including practical and theoretical aspects.
• 📏 The course covered essential topics like measuring head and flow, turbine types, load control systems, and common pitfalls to avoid.
• 👷‍♂️ Hands-on instruction and site visits were part of the course, allowing participants to see real-world applications and installations.
• 🌟 The speaker encourages others to attend such comprehensive training to gain knowledge and avoid costly mistakes in micro hydropower system installation.
• 📹 The speaker documents various micro hydropower systems on his YouTube channel, 'Mr. Hydro Head,' to share knowledge and inspire others.

Q & A

What is the most common application of hydropower mentioned in the script?

The script mentions that the most common application of hydropower is on a huge industrial scale, which has resulted in the centralization of power generation with enormous dams and reservoirs.

What is the significance of micro hydropower according to the speaker?

Micro hydropower is significant because it represents a decentralized and viable means of harnessing electric capacity, as opposed to the centralized power generation methods like large wind farms and huge solar arrays.

When did the speaker's journey with micro hydro power generation begin?

The speaker's journey with micro hydro power generation began in the early 90s.

What was the source of water for the first micro hydropower system installed by the speaker?

The first system, installed in 1996, was supplied with spring water collected from two separate springs and transported in nearly a mile of four-inch pipe.

Why did the speaker decide to upgrade their micro hydropower system in 2013?

The speaker decided to upgrade their system in 2013 because the springs began to lose their abundant flow due to an extended mega drought in the west and the installation of a pond which may have directed water away from their underground aquifer.

What was the output of the new system the speaker installed in 2013?

The new system in 2013 was expected to have a far greater output of power, utilizing the original Pelton turbine and generator that the speaker had purchased in 1996.

What is the mr hydro head YouTube channel and how did it come into being?

The mr hydro head YouTube channel came into being as a result of the speaker's decision to document in over 20 videos the two-year process of designing and building a new powerhouse for their upgraded micro hydropower system.

What did the speaker learn at the course specific to micro hydro at Solar Energy International?

At the course, the speaker gained a broad and solid basis of knowledge about micro hydro, and the instructors helped them design their first system and get a good deal on the equipment needed.

Who teaches the micro hydro training course at Solar Energy International?

The micro hydro training course at Solar Energy International is taught by Ken Gardner, a licensed engineer, and Gabe Stevens, who has worked with Ken on numerous and varied projects.

What kind of practical instruction is provided in the micro hydro training course?

The course provides hands-on instruction in techniques for determining accurate head measurements, measuring flow with specialized equipment and simpler techniques, and demonstrating how different types of micro hydro equipment are installed, adjusted, tested, and function.

Why does the speaker urge others to attend the micro hydro training course?

The speaker urges others to attend the course because it provided them with the knowledge and confidence to install their own systems and can likely help avoid a wide range of mistakes which can be both frustrating and costly.

Outlines

00:00

🌊 Harnessing Micro Hydro Power: A Personal Journey

The speaker reflects on the historical use of water power for physical tasks and the common perception of hydropower as a large-scale, centralized industry. They introduce micro hydropower as an underutilized, decentralized method for generating electricity. The speaker shares their personal experience with micro hydro power, starting in the early 1990s with a remote off-grid property in Colorado. They discuss two different micro hydro systems installed over 26 years, the first using spring water and the second upgraded to utilize water from a creek. The speaker credits their knowledge and confidence in system design to a course at Solar Energy International, which they revisited to update their skills. The video also introduces the 'Mr Hydro Head' YouTube channel, which documents the process of designing and building a new powerhouse, penstock, bridge, and power transmission line for the upgraded system.

05:01

📚 Comprehensive Micro Hydro Training at Solar Energy International

The speaker details their experience attending an updated micro hydro training course at Solar Energy International in Paonia, Colorado. The course, taught by Ken Gardner and Gabe Stevens, covers a wide range of topics including system analysis, site location, design, and installation. It includes both classroom instruction and hands-on practical work, teaching methods for measuring head and flow, understanding different turbine types, and managing AC and DC loads. The course also involves site visits to see real-world system installations and operations, providing valuable insights from system owners. The speaker emphasizes the importance of such comprehensive training for those considering installing their own micro hydro systems, highlighting the potential to avoid costly mistakes and gain confidence in system design and operation.

Keywords

💡Hydropower

Hydropower is the use of water power to generate electricity. It is a renewable energy source that harnesses the kinetic energy of flowing water to turn turbines, which then drive generators to produce electricity. In the video, the speaker discusses the common misconception that hydropower is only viable on a large scale with massive dams, but they advocate for the potential of micro-hydropower as a decentralized solution.

💡Micro-hydropower

Micro-hydropower refers to small-scale hydroelectric power generation systems that can be used in remote or off-grid locations. These systems are typically more accessible and affordable for individuals or small communities. The video details the speaker's journey with two micro-hydropower systems, emphasizing their decentralized and sustainable nature as opposed to large-scale hydroelectric projects.

💡Decentralized power generation

Decentralized power generation refers to the production of electricity from multiple small, distributed sources rather than a few large, centralized power plants. This approach can increase resilience, reduce transmission losses, and allow for more localized control over energy resources. The video highlights the speaker's experience with micro-hydropower as an example of decentralized generation, providing electricity to their off-grid property.

💡Pelton turbine

A Pelton turbine is a type of impulse turbine used in hydroelectric power generation. It is designed to extract energy from high-velocity jets of water, making it suitable for locations with high head and low flow rates. The video mentions the use of a Pelton turbine in the speaker's upgraded micro-hydropower system, indicating its efficiency in converting water power into electricity.

💡Off-grid property

An off-grid property is a location that is not connected to the main power grid and relies on alternative energy sources for its electricity needs. The video script describes how the speaker's off-grid property in Colorado, with its abundant water resources, was an ideal site for implementing micro-hydropower systems.

💡Head (in hydropower)

In hydropower, 'head' refers to the vertical distance through which water falls, which is a measure of the potential energy available to turn a turbine. The greater the head, the more potential energy can be converted into electricity. The video discusses the importance of accurately measuring head as a critical factor in the design and efficiency of a micro-hydropower system.

💡Flow (water flow)

Water flow, or the rate at which water moves, is another critical factor in hydropower generation. It is typically measured in gallons per minute (GPM) or liters per second (LPS) and is essential for determining the power output of a hydroelectric system. The video script mentions the speaker's efforts to measure and maximize water flow in their micro-hydropower projects.

💡Direct drive system

A direct drive system in hydropower refers to a setup where the turbine is directly connected to the generator without the use of a gearbox. This configuration is often used when there is sufficient water pressure to drive the generator efficiently. The video describes the speaker's first micro-hydropower system as a direct drive system, utilizing spring water with adequate pressure.

💡Mega drought

A mega drought is an extended period of unusually dry weather that can have severe impacts on water resources, agriculture, and ecosystems. The video script mentions a mega drought in the western United States that affected the water flow from the springs feeding the speaker's initial micro-hydropower system, necessitating an upgrade to a more reliable water source.

💡Solar Energy International (SEI)

Solar Energy International is an organization that offers education and training in renewable energy technologies, including solar and micro-hydropower. The video script recounts the speaker's experience attending a micro-hydro course at SEI, which provided them with the knowledge and confidence to design and implement their own micro-hydropower systems.

💡AC load control

AC load control in the context of micro-hydropower systems refers to the management of alternating current (AC) loads, which is the type of electricity commonly used in homes and businesses. The video discusses the importance of understanding AC load control for effectively using the electricity generated by micro-hydropower systems.

Highlights

Man has used water power for centuries to simplify physical tasks.

Hydropower is often associated with large-scale industrial applications and centralized power generation.

Micro hydropower is a decentralized and viable alternative for harnessing electric capacity.

The speaker's journey with micro hydro power began in the early 90s with a remote off-grid property in Colorado.

The first micro hydro system installed in 1996 used spring water and was a direct drive system.

After 18 years, the springs began to lose flow due to a mega drought and a pond installation.

In 2013, an upgrade was made to a creek system with a greater power output using the original Pelton turbine and generator.

The Mr. Hydro Head YouTube channel documents the two-year process of designing and building a new powerhouse.

The new system includes a six-inch penstock, a bridge, a new collection system, and a power transmission line.

The speaker gained confidence in micro hydropower systems through a course at Solar Energy International.

Solar Energy International offers a comprehensive micro hydro training course.

The course covers analyzing, locating, designing, and installing micro hydro systems.

Practical methods for measuring head and flow are taught, along with turbine types and system designs.

The course includes hands-on instruction and site visits to see real-world micro hydro installations.

Attending the course provided the knowledge and confidence to install both of the speaker's systems.

The speaker encourages others to attend the course to avoid costly mistakes in system installation.

The course takes place in the beautiful surroundings of western Colorado.

The speaker plans to document other micro hydro systems and invites viewers to subscribe and engage with the channel.

Transcripts

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over the ages man has used water power

to simplify many physical tasks the most

common application of hydropower has

been on a huge industrial scale which

has resulted in the centralization of

power generation with enormous dams and

reservoirs when you hear about renewable

power you generally hear about

technologies of large wind farms which

are again centralized power generating

on a massive scale and huge solar arrays

which are of the same utility grade

scale

i have said before that the movement of

water on earth is the largest movement

of mass on earth and something we would

be wise to capture when hydropower is

mentioned it is usually said that the

resource has already been maximized

there is seldom any mention of micro

hydropower as a decentralized and viable

means of harnessing electric capacity in

this video i'd like to discuss how i

became proficient in the process of

harnessing power from water my own

journey with micro hydro power

generation began in the early 90s we

were fortunate to locate a remote

off-grid property in colorado which had

abundant water flowing over it in the

last 26 years we have harnessed micro

hydropower with two very different yet

very similar systems

the first system we installed in 1996

was supplied with spring water collected

from two separate springs

and transported in nearly a mile of four

inch pipe

it was a direct drive system because we

had adequate pressure and it also fed a

pond where we could raise trout after 18

years of use the springs began to lose

the abundant flow due to an extended

mega drought in the west and the

installation of a pond which may have

directed water away from our underground

aquifer which fed our springs in 2013 we

decided to make a substantial investment

to upgrade the system by moving to a

creek which ran on a piece of land which

we purchased in the mid 90s the new

system would have a far greater output

of power utilizing the original pelton

turbine and generator we had purchased

in 1996.

that is how the mr hydro head youtube

channel came into being and in over 20

videos we chronicled in detail the

two-year process of designing and

building a new powerhouse building a new

six-inch pen stock which would carry up

to 300 gallons per minute

and also required a bridge we built

across the creek

we created a new collection system in

our upper meadow

and installed a new power transmission

line with a 480 volt transformer in the

house

we also installed beneficial ways to put

the power to use

supplying all our power needs

how did i feel confident enough to know

that moving to the second system would

work in 1993 i was fortunate to discover

and attend a course specific to micro

hydro at a place called solar energy

international it gave me a broad and

solid basis of knowledge and the

instructors actually helped me design my

first system and get a good deal on the

equipment i would need this past spring

i decided to re-attend the updated

course at sei their facility is located

in peonia colorado

where they offer classes primarily

focusing on solar education and

certification

however they also offer this class in

micro hydro training the course is

taught by ken gardner who is the

licensed engineer you've seen in other

videos on this channel and gabe stevens

who has worked with ken on many numerous

and varied projects i was pleased to see

how detailed and comprehensive the new

micro hydro course was it went into

depth on every aspect of analyzing

locating designing and installing the

necessary components of a microhydra

system there is a good amount of

classroom instruction where the

practical methods of measuring head and

determining accurate measurements of

flow are explained

there is discussion of various kinds of

turbines and when it is best to use each

of these designs

systems for ac load control dc charging

of batteries and diversion loads are

also explained some of the best

information provided are the pitfalls

and mistakes to be avoided all of this

instruction is not just theoretical but

is followed up with hands-on instruction

in the many techniques of determining

accurate head measurements

along with several methods of measuring

flow with specialized equipment and

other more simple techniques

this practical lab work extends to

demonstrating how different types of

micro hydro equipment are installed

adjusted

tested

and how they function

there are numerous site visits to

install functioning systems in the local

area where the principles presented in

the classroom are examined in real-world

applications

the owners of the systems discuss how

they were installed and how they operate

it's an opportunity to see a wide

variety of installations

for me it was a pleasure to meet other

people who had taken the initiative to

install their own systems i strongly

urge anyone looking to install a system

to avail themselves of this very

comprehensive training attending this

course is what gave me the knowledge and

the confidence to install both of my

systems you can likely avoid making a

wide range of mistakes which can be both

frustrating and very costly all of this

takes place amid the beauty and splendor

of western colorado on this channel i

have recently begun to locate and

document other systems which are not my

own

i will continue to do this and if you

are new to the channel i invite you to

subscribe comment and most importantly

hit that bell icon to be notified of new

uploads

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