Technology
Run of river
Small scale hydro-electric technology
Small scale hydro-electric generation, is one of the most efficient energy conversion options available and also has little environmental impact. Unlike large-scale hydropower schemes, run of river installations do not attempt to interfere significantly with river flows.
Small-scale hydroelectric developments are space efficient and will not cause flooding or require river diversions. Small-scale hydroelectric developments can avoid such effects by good design and appropriate construction and operating practices.
Vast improvements have been made in recent years to small turbine and generator technology, creating an attractive means of producing electricity from even a small stream. Mini-hydro schemes would be between 100kw and 1MW capacity. They will generally be connected to the electricity grid. They may supply local houses and industry and deliver any surplus power to the grid. Generally the parameters which define the suitability of a site for a mini-hydro scheme are:
Run of river
Small scale hydro-electric technology
Small scale hydro-electric generation, is one of the most efficient energy conversion options available and also has little environmental impact. Unlike large-scale hydropower schemes, run of river installations do not attempt to interfere significantly with river flows.
Small-scale hydroelectric developments are space efficient and will not cause flooding or require river diversions. Small-scale hydroelectric developments can avoid such effects by good design and appropriate construction and operating practices.
Vast improvements have been made in recent years to small turbine and generator technology, creating an attractive means of producing electricity from even a small stream. Mini-hydro schemes would be between 100kw and 1MW capacity. They will generally be connected to the electricity grid. They may supply local houses and industry and deliver any surplus power to the grid. Generally the parameters which define the suitability of a site for a mini-hydro scheme are:
- Catchment area - preferably large and high
- Rainfall; quantity and constancy
- Head difference between the weir where the water is collected and the power house with the turbine and generator. Project contracts are simpler if the weir site and the river valley down to the powerhouse are in the same ownership.
- Distance to electrical load or the grid
- Local load which can be supplied from the project directly
