1.0 Mini/Micro-hydro systems have the following components:

Ø  A water turbine that converts the energy of flowing or falling water into mechanical energy that drives a generator

Ø  A control mechanism to provide stable electrical power

Ø  Electrical transmission lines to deliver the power to its destination 

Depending on the site, the following may be needed to develop a Mini/Micro-hydropower system:

Ø  An intake or weir to divert stream flow from the water course

Ø  A canal/pipeline to carry the water flow to the forebay from the intake

Ø  A forebay tank and trash rack to filter debris and prevent it from being drawn into the turbine at the penstock pipe intake

Ø  A penstock pipe to convey the water to the powerhouse

Ø  A powerhouse, in which the turbine and generator convert the power of the water into electricity

2.0   Why Mini/Micro-Hydropower?

If planned and designed properly, a Mini/Micro-hydropower system has many advantages over most conventional means of electricity generation. Some of the most important advantages are as follows:

• The energy to run hydropower systems is almost free once they are built, even though they usually cost more to build than systems that generate electricity using fossil fuel or natural gas.
• Hydropower systems are inflation-proof because the cost of using the water in the river and stream is not likely to increase, and the cost of fuel for other systems could increase over the years.
• Hydropower systems last 20 to 30 years – longer than most other kinds of generating systems.
• Smaller projects such as Mini/Micro-hydro systems can be built relatively quickly.
• There is no need for long transmission lines because output is consumed near the source.

3.0 How to Plan for a Mini/Micro-Hydropower System

If you are thinking seriously about installing a Mini/Micro-hydropower system, you will want to plan a system that is sure to meet your energy and power needs. There are also various planning stages that you will need to consider. Many factors contribute to a successful Mini/Micro-hydropower system.

Ø  local, provincial/territorial and federal legal restrictions on the development of the hydro- electric site and the use of the water 

Ø  the potential for hydropower at the site 

Ø  your requirements for energy and power 

Ø  environmental impact and approvals

Ø  equipment options 

Ø  costs and economics 

Keep in mind that each Mini/Micro-hydropower system’s cost, approvals, layout and other factors are site-specific and unique in each case. In order to make you well built a miniature hydropower station, complete with a feasibility study is very important. The feasibility study should answer as many of the following questions as possible:

Ø  How much head is available?

Ø  How long does the canal/pipeline have to be in order to reach the head? 

Ø  What are the minimum and maximum flow rates, and when do these occur? 

Ø  How much power can be generated with the available flow rates? 

Ø  Who owns the land? 

Ø  Where are the nearest electricity power lines? 

What would the environmental effects of installing a Mini/Micro-hydropower system be?

Ø  What is the approval process to install the Mini/Micro-hydropower system? 

Ø  What financial incentives are available that encourage renewable energy, and how can you apply for them? 

Ø  How much will it cost to develop the Mini/Micro-hydropower system?