Highly illustrated and practical, Microhydro is the first complete book on the topic in many years. Covering both AC and DC systems, it first introduces the important principles on which microhydro is based, including the advantages and disadvantages of using small amounts of water to generate power. Along with a glossary of microhydro terms, further reading and resources - including websites and commerical suppliers - Microhydro includes all the information a homeowner needs to start generating clean, off-grid, and independent power.

Waterpower is the largest source of renewable energy in the world today, and microhydro is a mature, proven technology that can provide clean, inexpensive, renewable energy with little or no impact on the environment. Serious Microhydro brings you dozens of firsthand stories of energy independence covering a complete range of systems, from household pressure sites to higher pressure installations capable of powering a farm, business, or small neighborhood. Topics include: Low head and medium head sites AC-only systems as well as ones using a battery/inverter subsystem Stand alone power supply or grid intertie setups Hybrid systems (combined with photovoltaics or wind) With all the variables involved in microhydro, there is no “typical” system. These case studies represent the most comprehensive collection of knowledge and experience available for tailoring an installation to meet the needs of a site and its owner or operators. If you are considering building a system, you are bound to find a wealth of creative solutions appropriate to your own circumstances. Serious Microhydro shows how scores of people are achieving a high standard of living from local energy sources with a minimal ecological footprint. It has particular appeal to homeowners, teachers, renewable energy professionals, activists, and decision makers who want to understand the technology from a “hands-on” perspective. Scott Davis is an award-winning renewable energy project developer with decades of experience operating, installing, designing, selling, and teaching microhydro technology. He is a founder and president of Friends of Renewable Energy BC, and the author of Microhydro: Clean Power From Water.

Micro-Hydro Design Manual has grown from Intermediate Technology's field experiences with micro-hydro installations and covers operation and maintenance, commissioning, electrical power, induction generators, electronic controllers, management, and energy surveys.There is an increasing need in many countries for power supplies to rural areas, partly to support industries, and partly to provide illumination at night. Government authorities are faced with the very high costs of extending electricity grids. Often micro-hydro provides an economic alternative to the grid. This is because independentmicro-hydro schemes save on the cost of grid transmission lines, and because grid extension schemes often have very expensive equipment and staff costs. In contrast, micro-hydro schemes can be designed and built by local staff andsmaller organizations following less strict regulations and using 'off-the-shelf' components or locally made machinery.

An essential addition to the Earthscan Planning & Installing series, Planning and Installing Micro-Hydro Systems provides vital diagrams, pictures and tables detailing the planning and installing of a micro-hydro system, including information on the maintenance and economics once an installation is running. The book covers subjects such as measuring head and flow, ecological impacts, scheme layouts, practical advice, calculations and turbine choice. Archimedes screws are also covered in detail, as well as the main conventional choices relevant to small sites. Micro-hydro refers to hydropower systems with a power rating of 100kW or less. A 100kW system will produce 100 standard units of electricity in one hour. These systems have been popular in some sparsely populated or mountainous countries for a number of years, but now new technology, less stringent regulation of grid connected generators and standardised turbine designs are encouraging more widespread interest in micro-hydro in the developed world. The renewable energy sector is growing at a remarkable rate, and whilst much attention has so far focused on solar and wind technologies, Europe and elsewhere have great potential for generating power from small scale hydroelectric installations. This book is aimed at site owners, designers and consultants who are looking to develop schemes in the micro-hydro scale – 5 to 100kW – although the concepts are applicable to smaller and larger schemes.

This is a guide to the use of induction motors for electricity generation in remote locations. It is written as a practical handbook for engineers and technicians involved in designing and installing small water-power schemes for isolated houses and communities. This revised edition brings in new concepts developed and tested to expand the power range of application of motors as generators, to make this technology safer and more reliable, while keeping costs low and making it accessible to developing countries. It also contains a new chapter on mains-connecting micro-hydro generators. This edition also draws on the practical experience of manufacturers and installers of induction generator units working in village locations in a large number of countries, among them Sri Lanka, Nepal, Peru, Kenya and others.

Introductory technical guidance for professional engineers and others interested in development of very small scale hydroelectric power resources. Here is what is discussed: 1. INTRODUCTION 2. COMMON TERMINOLOGY 3. CATEGORIES OF HYDROTURBINES 4. SITE SCREENING.

This practical manual is a major new addition to the resources available for micro-hydro power project and programme managers worldwide and represents excellent value for such a detailed technical reference handbook.