[RE-wrenches] micro-hydro distribution problem

[Hugh]

The centralised battery seems the most sensible option in terms of 
economies of scale and diversity of loads, but I have built a system 
using the old Trace PS inverters (and presume that the Xantrex XW 
would fit).  Maybe you guys could use an Outback FX but here in the 
world of 50 Hz they are not capable of 'gen support'.

Each house has its own battery and inverter.  Feed each inverter from 
the hydro turbine and tell it what current it is allowed to draw.  If 
the turbine is producing 6 amps then each of four houses can have 1.5 
amps each.  The hydro power largely goes directly through the 
inverter to the load which is very efficient.  Peak loads are met 
from the battery which is charged during times of reduced demand. 
You also need an AC voltage regulation system at the hydro turbine 
itself which will usually have its own dump load that can probably be 
allocated to the largest house or the nearest.

Seemed to work pretty well.  Better than I expected actually.  The 
inverters behaved gracefully under system overload for example.  If 
the hydro flow drops off a bit they do not crash the system.

have fun.

Hugh

>Esteemed fellow wrenches: May we put our heads together on today's problem
>in my terrain: How best to distribute and regulate the output of a single
>turbine from a convenient distribution point to
>four residences on the off grid property, each with it's own 12 volt
>battery/inverter system. If I may spare you the details of the
>lake/stream/intake/penstock and apparatus, let's say we have
>sufficient head and flow to divide 700 watts four ways, average distance
>maybe 300 feet. The problem becomes:  diversion controllers and dump loads
>at each battery or some central scheme?
>Anybody done this kind of thing? Cautionary tales welcomed. (Any
>experienced comments welcomed.
>Thanks muchly in advance.  Nick Houser  Off Grid Services,  Lund, British
>Columbia.
>
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-- 
Hugh Piggott

Scoraig Wind Electric
Scotland
http://www.scoraigwind.co.uk