Domestic wind turbines

[davidroberts30]

So if you have say 1-3kw output would 12 mm be ok for 300 m possibly?
Sorry to ask questions on someone's thread!

You carry on I'm learning too

 

[Longneck]

End of life, surplus or dealer?

It’s still serviceable I’ve just had a few problems with it lately and it’s not been performing as well as I would have hoped.

 

[Longneck]

Do you have a Fit contract on it? Even if it doesn't work there is still value on the site.

Yes have got a Fit contract. I have thought about installing a bigger one.

 

[Exfarmer]

16mm2 SWA would keep the volt drop under 5%

Thats assuming the voltage is 240. I am not familiar with Domestic turbines but some of the smaller ones can be 12 volts and the voltage drop at that distance would be dramatic.

 

[Exfarmer]

Yes have got a Fit contract. I have thought about installing a bigger one.

You cannot put in a larger one if you want to continue to receive the FITs only like for like and even then you should be a little careful

 

[MojoEA]

Thats assuming the voltage is 240. I am not familiar with Domestic turbines but some of the smaller ones can be 12 volts and the voltage drop at that distance would be dramatic.

sorry, your absolutely correct, i should have said that

 

[renewablejohn]

Still a problem there....no water



Well not in a stream anyroads

Does not have to be a stream. Pond with height difference just as good.

 

[renewablejohn]

With voltage drop would 300m away Stream/ brook, be useless?

Not a problem its just down to cable size.

 

[davidroberts30]

Does not have to be a stream. Pond with height difference just as good.

Only puddles here

 

[renewablejohn]

Only puddles here

Do you have significant height difference between areas of land.

 

[davidroberts30]

Do you have significant height difference between areas of land.

Not really

 

[Kentishfarmer]

Does not have to be a stream. Pond with height difference just as good.

How big a stream is needed for it to be worthwhile? I thought you needed a few M drop to generate the force required to power anything economically?

 

[Still Farming]

How big a stream is needed for it to be worthwhile? I thought you needed a few M drop to generate the force required to power anything economically?

Those diversion pre swirl chambers really increase water power apparently

 

[Y Fan Wen]

How big a stream is needed for it to be worthwhile? I thought you needed a few M drop to generate the force required to power anything economically?

Quite simple, if you have 1 cubic foot per second and a vertical drop of 20 feet, then you have the potential to produce 1kw.

 

[Y Fan Wen]

With voltage drop would 300m away Stream/ brook, be useless?

I am 300m away and have 16mm cable. Bit marginal but ok.
I know of one set which generates at 500v to cover the 4-500 metres. Has a transformer at the house and buildings.

 

[Kentishfarmer]

Quite simple, if you have 1 cubic foot per second and a vertical drop of 20 feet, then you have the potential to produce 1kw.

20feet/6m is a fair old drop to create/have though. You do definitely need a drop then? no point sticking a water turbine type thing in a little stream on a fairly gradual gradient?

 

[Exfarmer]

20feet/6m is a fair old drop to create/have though. You do definitely need a drop then? no point sticking a water turbine type thing in a little stream on a fairly gradual gradient?

Its pure and simple physics, cant be beaten no matter how many try

 

[Y Fan Wen]

20feet/6m is a fair old drop to create/have though. You do definitely need a drop then? no point sticking a water turbine type thing in a little stream on a fairly gradual gradient?

It's all to do with the ratio. 2cuft/sec over 10 feet would be the same. So, big river, less drop. Small river big drop. In my own case 1 cuft and 200 feet actually gives 12kw. That's because it isn't actually 20 feet, I think it is 16 or 17 so I get an extra 2kw over 200'.
If I was redoing my site from new I would probably go for about 20kw as the river flow is actually a bit more than our estimate 40 years ago.
The present 8 inch pipe limits the output to 15kw so if the present genny dies (13kw) I would replace it with a 17kw one. The extra kw is so it wouldn't be running at 100% when flat out. I would have to use a 10 inch pipe for 20kw.

 

[Badshot]

There used to be weirs all along the river adult until they took them out, I guess they'd have been handy for a water turbine.
EA could be generating a sh!t load of electric with the rivers they control.

 

[j6891]

Used to have an old mill pond and mill wheel here. Have thought about laying a new pipe/turbine as plenty water in winter when supply is needed. Any recommendations for installers etc?? Scotland based ideally