Micro Hydro Electric Power System in Colorado

A short tour of some of the parts and how it works. 2 natural springs provide water which falls about 500 vertical feet through a mile of pipe and develops about 220 psi. There are repairs to be made in the Springtime when the ground shifts a bit and a leak occurs in the pipe. Having a renewable power system off the grid is a bit of work, but a real joy to live with. Clean renewable power, year round.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Renewable
• Off-the-Grid
• Micro
• Hydro
• Electric
• Power
• Colorado
• Canyon
• Industries
• Turbine
• High
• PSI
• Direct
• Drive
• AC

[MrHydrohead]

Yes, Canyon Industries of Deming, WA. Good company, good products

[MrHydrohead]

I filed on water rights which took legal fees/time, but all done now. Wattage ranges from 1200-4400 depending on springflow/time of year. Last several years have had decreasing flow due to longer term drought in CO. No grid access 7 miles off grid at $20k/mile to lay lines. All costs are up front, but once in, its easy street! Very satisfying to bake bread, shower, surf net, whatever knowing you add no CO2. Very reliable system. Very Happy with it.

[MrHydrohead]

Burying pipe was the biggest effort as it was about a mile of pipe through wooded areas(8-10 weeks) Building power house 3-4 weeks. Running costs are limited to the occasional pipe repair in springtime(due to ground movement+high psi). Maybe $50-100 for parts, it varies. And I changed an O ring about 5 years ago, that was 50 cents.

[MrHydrohead]

Its about a 500 ft drop over about 4000ft of pipe. Not much head loss due to friction at the flow rates I have. Works out to about 220psi static and 212psi active working pressure.

[sehonggi]

I saw a movie you UPLOAD. Provides a response to questions. Penstock diameter? Flow available? Penstock length? Thank you.

[sehonggi]

Thank you.

[sehonggi]

Question.. Penstock diameter? Flow available? Penstock length?

[sehonggi]

I saw a movie you UPLOAD. Provides a response to questions. 

[5horsepower]

do you have shifty ground or is all ground going to move enough to break pipe

[pelton242]

Is that turbine made by Canyon?

[mik22pik]

Nice setup, love the back ground views!

How long did it take you to build and what's your running costs? Any trouble from the state with diverting the water on your land, some states prevent this.. Also you didn't state your total output in Watts, you only showed the Amps. Do you plan any feed back into the grid? Great job, Keep us posted please!