Assessing the Feasibility of Pico Hydro Technology on TESC Kate 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

Procedure 1.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 (m 3 /s) ▫Determine Kinetic Energy ▫Determine Gravitational Potential Energy

Site Locations

The Culvert

Data: Power by Time

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