Providing
green energy around the houses can be tricky. Take the case of an isolated
mountain cabin deep within a forest. The heavy canopy of trees blocks most of
the sunlight, and their thick trunks break up the down-slope winds, making
investment in a solar or wind-powered energy source impractical. All you’ve got
is a winding river in which to catch fish. However, with modest resources and a
little ingenuity, this river can become your source of renewable power – a
miniature hydro-electric power plant.
Hydro-electricity is generally defined
as electrical power generated through the use of force from falling water (such
as in waterfalls or dams). It is currently the world’s largest producer of sustainable
energy, supplying 17% of the world’s total output in 2005. Large hydropower
plants around the world generated around 860 GW as of 2008, with small-scale
plants generating around 250 GW. Potential is seen for hydropower to be a
primary or auxiliary source of green energy around the houses for people living
away from main power grids.
Small-scale hydro-electric generators
can be built in much the same manner as a home-made wind turbine. The natural
flow of the river may be tapped and channeled to a dynamo or generator, which
is wired to batteries for storage. A portion of the river may also be dammed to
increase the potential energy (and hence the kinetic energy) of the water,
thereby making the turbines spin faster, generating more electricity. Such
set-ups have been known to give around 1 amp, creating more than enough power
for a radio and a couple of light fixtures. What’s more, after the initial
investments are made, fuel is unlimited and the device (as long as properly
maintained), can run for a few years, making it a reliable source of green
energy around the houses. Water power
Small Scale Hydro Power. If you are fortunate to have a stream or river on your property, there are a few ways you can use water to generate electricity
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