The use water to take the place of manual labor has been around since the beginning of man and evidence of some of the first commercial uses of hydro power are still evident in old milling factories. Hydro power was used to turn large water wheels connected to grinding stones to mill flour and other grains. The city of Niagara Falls uses the power of the river below the falls to produce electricity to power two international cities and Hoover Dam on Lake Mead in Nevada helps keep the city of Las Vegas brightly lit.
The availability of hydro power is somewhat limited to areas in which water traveling at appropriate speeds is readily available. Some small streams and rivers have been blocked by dams to create sufficient fall into impellers to run turbines to generate electricity. Some homeowners have devised small hydro power devices to produce a limited amount of electricity for their home’s outdoor needs.
More people are becoming interested in methods to produce hydro power as a means of supplementing the need for alternative energy. The sun, wind and water are being tapped as a means to create environmentally friendly generating plants, while save the non-renewable energy resources still available.
Available Sources Of Energy Vary By Geography
Solar power is a rapidly expanding source of power, but in many areas of the world the sun does not shine throughout the year, and never at night. The use of the wind is also limited as climatic differences in the amount of wind blowing at any one time, make its use somewhat unpredictable. The use of hydro power, while limited to areas with an available adequate water source however, is reasonably dependable. Depending on the climate however, drought can cause the river to dry up and severe winter weather can cause it to freeze.
As the power grid in the country continues to expand, it is becoming possible to divert some of the electricity generated by hydro power to other areas of the country where it cannot be produced. By adding the power of a raging river to the grid, it create an even bigger pool from which power can be drawn. It is feasible that power produced from a mountain river to be used by people living thousands of miles away.
Even small streams can provide the means to produce a small amount of electricity using small generators or alternators. There are some small farms using this type of hydro power to generate power to operate some of the electric equipment and help cut their home’s energy consumption.
Jumat, 26 Desember 2008
Understanding Micro Hydro Power
Micro hydro power is the power created through water flow, and directed into small scale generators for personal use. The concept of micro hydro power is best explained using an old mill water wheel as an example. These old water wheels were used to create energy for the mills they were attached to; using the force of the river’s current to turn them. As the wheel turned, electricity was generated inside the mill. Micro hydro power mills use the exact same concept to generate energy on a much wider scale.
Benefits Of Using Micro Hydro Power
One of the greatest benefits of using micro hydro power, is the fact that it is an extremely cost effective energy source. It is estimated that a small hydro power system can be installed for personal use for about a thousand dollars. If you are looking to build a larger hydro power source, it is possible that you could get the system paid for, if you agree to sell any unused energy to a local power grid.
One of the best parts of using a micro hydro power system, is that it does no damage to the environment. Water is pulled into the system under its own current, and then is released back into the water source from which it can, in the same condition it left. The energy from the water is drawn from the current itself, and the substance of the water is left unchanged.
The most important benefit of using a micro hydro power system is the fact that it can be set up for very little cost in third world countries. As long as a country, or city, is near a water source, electricity can be generated with a hydro power system. Most micro hydro power systems can transport energy up to a mile away from the actual water source.
Drawbacks Of Micro Hydro Power
There are really very few drawbacks to using micro hydro power as a source of alternative energy. The biggest downfall of hydro power, is that it is totally dependent upon a river or stream’s water flow. During the summer months, when water flow is at a minimum, there may not be enough water flow to generate the needed amount of energy.
A second drawback to using micro hydro power, is that the ability to use a hydro power system depends entirely upon your proximity to the water source. Micro hydro power can only be carried a certain distance before it is unusable. This can be as little as a mile, or as far as five miles, depending on the size of your hydro power system.
Micro hydro power may very well be the next generation of renewable energy. The internet has a plethora of information about this alternative energy source that you can use for further research, if you are interested in building your own micro hydro power system.
Benefits Of Using Micro Hydro Power
One of the greatest benefits of using micro hydro power, is the fact that it is an extremely cost effective energy source. It is estimated that a small hydro power system can be installed for personal use for about a thousand dollars. If you are looking to build a larger hydro power source, it is possible that you could get the system paid for, if you agree to sell any unused energy to a local power grid.
One of the best parts of using a micro hydro power system, is that it does no damage to the environment. Water is pulled into the system under its own current, and then is released back into the water source from which it can, in the same condition it left. The energy from the water is drawn from the current itself, and the substance of the water is left unchanged.
The most important benefit of using a micro hydro power system is the fact that it can be set up for very little cost in third world countries. As long as a country, or city, is near a water source, electricity can be generated with a hydro power system. Most micro hydro power systems can transport energy up to a mile away from the actual water source.
Drawbacks Of Micro Hydro Power
There are really very few drawbacks to using micro hydro power as a source of alternative energy. The biggest downfall of hydro power, is that it is totally dependent upon a river or stream’s water flow. During the summer months, when water flow is at a minimum, there may not be enough water flow to generate the needed amount of energy.
A second drawback to using micro hydro power, is that the ability to use a hydro power system depends entirely upon your proximity to the water source. Micro hydro power can only be carried a certain distance before it is unusable. This can be as little as a mile, or as far as five miles, depending on the size of your hydro power system.
Micro hydro power may very well be the next generation of renewable energy. The internet has a plethora of information about this alternative energy source that you can use for further research, if you are interested in building your own micro hydro power system.
Langganan:
Postingan (Atom)