Water Current Hydro Technology on the Farm
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WCH is a relatively new and emerging technology. This hydro generation system relies almost entirely on the kinetic energy in a stream's flow in its natural pathway. It does not use civil works to impound water or channel flows to create a head. WCH can, however, be placed in existing channels and sluice ways making use of the current that exists.
WCH has a natural attraction on farms that have fast flowing streams and rivers but few locations where a head or dramatic drop can be created to develop hydro electric potential under conventional circumstances (see website on low head hydro). Unfortunately WCH technology is largely at a pre-commercial stage of development. Although research and development is widespread throughout Canada , the USA , the UK , France , Australia and elsewhere, much of this has focussed on large scale deployment in tidal waters. Only a few models having on-farm river or stream flow application are available as proven commercial technologies. Even with these the consumer is advised to obtain performance guarantees that will safeguard an investment. Farms which have a need for relatively small amounts of power to charge batteries and which have streams flowing faster than 1 m/s and having 0.5 to 4 m. depth may find application for WCH technology.
Besides providing an overview this website gives access further sources of information available from links at the bottom of the page.
Modified: 02-18-2008
