Assessing the Feasibility of Pico Hydro Technology on TESCKate Fabian, Asa Hurst, Jon Shimazu

Objective/Motivation

•Hydroelectric Power is very clean on small scales

•Pacific NW: Lots of water

Measure the flow of the stream to estimate the available hydroelectric power

Stream Flow Measurements

•Materials:▫Stopwatch▫Current Meters▫Measuring Tape▫Boots

Procedure1. Determine evaluation sites

• Tried 3 points along the stream, decided on one

2. Take Recordings▫ Width (m)▫ Depth (m)▫ Flow Rate (m/s)▫ Water Head (m)

3. Analyze Data▫ Volumetric Flow (m3/s)▫ Determine Kinetic Energy▫ Determine Gravitational Potential Energy

Site Locations

The Culvert

Data: Power by TimePower Potential Over Time

1/18/2008

1/25/2008

2/1/2008

2/8/2008

2/15/2008

2/28/20080

100

200

300

400

500

600

1/13/2008 1/23/2008 2/2/2008 2/12/2008 2/22/2008 3/3/2008

Date

Gra

va

tati

on

al P

ote

nti

al (

w)

GravitationalPotential Energy (w) with h =.4 m

Uncertainties and Compensation•Equipment limitations

▫Variations in Current Measurements▫Coordinating readings with stopwatch

•Reducing Human Error▫Multiple readings▫Timing announcements

Harvesting Methods

Run of the River

Penstock

Power Generation and Cost

•Run-of-the-River: Pico hydro<500 W, <2000$

•Penstock: ~1000 W, ~10,000$

Parallel Axis• Commonly used on

large scales• Efficient: up to 90%

(on large scales)• Expensive, hard to

fabricate, especially on small scales

Ecological Concerns

•Turbidity, Suspended Matter•Oxygen Levels•Diverting Stream Water•Physical Barriers