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.

This is a collection of conference papers on small hydro renewable energy, covering such topics as: resource assessment and planning; design and construction; and plant and equipment.

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.

Hydropower provides a complete discussion of the most up-to-date considerations of this method of creating renewable energy. After introducing the method's history, the author explores various considerations for engineers, planners and managers who need to determine the best placement and size of a plant. The book then presents various types of hydropower systems, such as Run-of-River Schemes and various types of Dam and Turbines, also considering the important economic, environmental and geological impacts of each. Those involved in the planning, design and management of hydropower systems, such as engineers, researchers, managers and policymakers will find this book a very valuable and insightful resource. - Explores different types of dams and turbines set alongside easy-to-understand diagrams, such as Embankment Dams, Concrete Arch Dams, Reaction Turbines and Francis Turbines - Considers various economic and environmental factors significant for this type of project, such as resettlement, biodiversity and greenhouse gases - Discusses best practices for locating a hydropower site and how to make important decisions regarding placement and method

further chapters cover specific aspects of turbine types for hydro, not previously covered thoroughly by published material new title for successful Planning & Installing series