Water Turbine Information and Studies From Turbine Services http://www.turbineservices.co.

uk/water-turbines/generators/

about us contact us downloads

Home Wind Turbines Water Turbines Control Panels Displays Batteries Feed In Tariff (FIT) Case Studies

> Water Turbines > Generators

Water Turbines

Nautilus Turbine Water Turbine Scoping Study

Pelton Water Turbine
Stream Engine
Low Head Stream Engine
High Head Stream Engine
Water Turbine Information
Members of
Water power potential
Before we can start any work on a potential
water turbine scheme we must first find the
potential power of the scheme. This is achieved
by measuring the 'Flow & Head'. As can be
seen on the picture here, the head is the
measurement between the intake water surface
and the water turbine jet, or in the case of a
low head turbine, the water level of the tail
race.
Once we know the head & flow of the potential
scheme we can then start putting together the
design of the system. Water turbines are not a
mass-market item and as such can be quite
expensive and often there is no single turbine
to suit a particular site. This presents a dilemma
between cost and output power

If the scheme is a large one, 500kW or greater,

then the turbine can often be designed and built to suit the site. However, micro-hydro schemes have to make do with
what's already on the market by using a larger than necessary turbine which costs a little more or using multiple
turbines to achieve the output power required or set by the scheme.

Google Earth
Using Google earth it is possible to measure cable distances,
pipe lengths, water catchment areas, altitude/pressure and
much more.
We regularly use this for 'desktop' research of initial hydro
enquiries.
The more information we're given, the easier it is for us to
put together a system design and estimate some loose
costing.

Calculating Water Flow Using a Notched Weir

Please see the flow calculator below to determine your

water flow rate.
L is the horizontal length of the notch. 'h' is the height of
the water above the base of the notch. This measurement
is slightly more complicated to measure as it must be taken
at least a meter upstream of the notch (or where the water
level is not affected by sloping-off as it approaches the
notch).

(L) Length (mm)

(h) Height (mm)

Calculate
Flow (l/s)

1 of 2 5/28/2011 9:37 PM
Water Turbine Information and Studies From Turbine Services http://www.turbineservices.co.uk/water-turbines/generators/

About Us | Contact Us | Home | Downloads

© Turbine Services (Wind/Hydro) Ltd. 2003 - 2011 | Designed and Developed by e-volve

2 of 2 5/28/2011 9:37 PM