Design of Microhydro or Small-Scale Hydroelectric Systems

Jeffrey Havelin, P.E.

Course Outline

This one hour online course will explain the basic system components and site requirements for microhydro electric systems.

The vast majority of the hydropower produced in the United States comes from large-scale projects that generate more than 30 megawatts (MW)-enough electricity to power nearly 30,000 households.

Small-scale hydropower systems are those that generate between .01 to 30 MW of electricity. Hydropower systems that generate up to 100 kilowatts (kW) of electricity are often called microhydro systems. Most of the systems used by home and small business owners would qualify as microhydro systems. In fact, a 10 kW system generally can provide enough power for a large home, a small resort, or a hobby farm.

This course is based entirely on Small Hydropower Systems- Publication DOE/GO-102001-1173 FS217 July 2001 - Published by the U.S. Department of Energy. This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of course materials. You will be quizzed on the attached document in its entirety.

Learning Objective

This course will review the hydropower principles, present applications, and various design criteria. At the completion of this course the student will have reviewed the following topics

• Run-of-the-river systems;
• Determination of flow (field test);
• Determination of head;
• Estimating Power Output;
• Reverse use of a pump as a turbine; and
• Types of turbines.
  

Intended Audience

This course is intended for engineers interested in learning about small-scale and microhydro electric systems.

Benefit for Attendee

Attendee of this course will be able to evaluate site conditions for the feasibility of a small-scale, or microhydro electric systems.

Course Introduction

This course will review the hydropower principles, present applications, and various design criteria.

Course Content

This course is based entirely on the Small Hydropower Systems- Publication DOE/GO-102001-1173 FS217 July 2001 - Published by the U.S. Department of Energy.

The link to the course materials is as follows:

Small Hydropower Systems

You need to open or download above document to study this course.

Course Summary

Engineers should be able to evaluate a site for the feasibility of a small-scale or microhydro electric system. The engineer should be familiar with the basic operation and components of small-scale or microhydro electric systems after completing this course.

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

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DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.

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