Harvesting Electricity from a Small Scale Hydroelectric Power Cell

Harvesting Electricity from a Small Scale Hydroelectric Power Cell

A science investigatory project submitted as partial fulfillment of the requirements in Research IIB

PARAYNO, Jeanne Henrey

BERNARDO, Angela Jane

DIAZ, Ysabela Marie

OMILA, Arianne Marie

RYE, Christiane

TAOPO, Allysa Ashley

Quezon City Science High School
        February 2017

Abstract

        In the wake of increasing demand for electricity to sustain our way of life, the study attempts to demonstrate the viability of optimizing the use of water as an alternative source of energy for households.

        The device- the Hydroelectric Power Cell, is a small power generator designed and built for home use, and as with any generator, the essential parts are the alternator and the storage of electricity, or battery. All the materials are commercially available.

The alternator is attached to a metal rod. The metal rod, in turn, is attached to the center of one side of a flat circular wood. An improvised turbine, made of eight PVC pipes is screwed on the other side of the circular wood. This serves as the initial receiver of water supply to the alternator. A large sprocket is attached to the other side of the circular wood, while a smaller sprocket is attached to the alternator.  A metal chain is placed into both sprockets, serving as pulley to increase pressure in the turbine spin. The battery is connected the alternator with an 8-gauge wire for the ultimate generation of power supply.

The testing was conducted in Barangay Marilag Fire Station, Cubao, Quezon City. The water from the firetruck was used due to its varied water pressure. At 30 psi, the voltage released was 0V while at 50 psi and 80 psi, the device released 13V and 15V, respectively. The device worked, and the goal was reached.

Introduction

        As time and innovation progress, society becomes more industrialized that comes hand-in-hand with energy. Electricity, for one, is widely-used and has drastically improved life on a daily basis over the past eons. However, the increasing demand for it may eventually wear its sources out and the world will become more vulnerable to power inconveniences than it is today. Failure and scarcity in maintaining the electrical supply and natural disaster hazards therewithal may ultimately lead in more frequent and lengthened power outages. Families should be prepared with sufficient reserves especially those who endure recurring unanticipated blackouts like the people in Mindanao (Energy Information Administration, 2015).  

Currently, the Philippines’ power situation includes coal as its largest reserve. It is the cheapest among the fuel options, having the highest contribution to the power generation mix at 44.5% in 2015 (Department of Energy, 2015). However, 6.65% of our generation capacity comes from aging plants that are installed for 15 years or more, resulting in the increased frequency of unexpected power outages (Blaine, 2014).

During emergencies and shortages, gasoline generators are used as a backup to supply energy in domestic appliances, although it can be perilous and lethal to anyone when exposed to carbon monoxide released by the equipment unit, as usually, it depends on a fuel supply with the use of propane (Hampson & Zmaeff, 2005). On the other hand, smaller units are designed for their portability without losing their functionality. Power banks, for one, are optimized to charge smartphones anytime and anywhere, especially in urgencies. In addition, rechargeable electric fans (some products come along with light) are developed particularly in blackouts.

The lengthened, more frequent power loss can hamper the routine of those who are affected. In critical times, some energy sources do not work practically on the locale and situation, which in turn may harm the environment to whatever extent. Nonetheless, water is readily available at homes and outdoors; hydropower comes in various forms to be harnessed in producing electricity. In smaller installations, it is 80% to 85% efficient. On the other hand, in bigger installations, it is about 95% efficient in generating electricity (Eurelectric & VGB, 2003).

The goal is to design and develop a power cell that can supply energy to small domestic appliances for emergency purposes. Left out in the rain, or attached to a faucet, or any valve responsible for water release, the device should function ascribable to the water whose flow will charge the battery with kinetic energy converted into hydropower. The battery, in turn, is supposed to power up small appliances plugged into the device. The objectives of the study are as follows:  to determine the relationship of the time required in collecting water to the amount of power acquired, and to test the efficiency of hydropower in terms of the performance of the power cell, alongside with its effect to the battery life of the device.  

Optimizing a hydroelectric power cell will alleviate various problems caused by power outages without the need of excessive electric energy consumption. Compared to other power sources, water is the most efficient according to the Efficiency in Electricity Generation chart (Eurelectric & VGB, 2003). Its availability makes it easier for use especially in emergencies, providing high performance in powering up small domestic appliances furthermore.

Materials and Methods

The inverter and battery are products of the Deeco branch in Cubao. The alternator is from Antiqueno Machine Shop in Commonwealth, as well as the angle bars, bolts, nuts and the metal shaft. The PVC pipes are from Ace Hardware, Trinoma. The circular and rectangular pieces of wood were especially made for this study by a carpenter.

The three main materials of the hydroelectric power cell, as with any generator, are the battery, the alternator, and the inverter. These three were attached to a metal rod that served as shafting, which in turn was attached to a flat circular piece of wood with a diameter of 46cm with angle bars, bolts and nuts. There was also a sprocket screwed to the other side of the wood. The inverter was placed on the metal rod, as well, parallel to the piece of wood. PVC pipes 8cm in diameter were cut right down the middle lengthwise and then again cut into eight 20cm pieces that was attached to the side of the piece of wood that served as a turbine. The alternator was attached at the end of the metal shafting opposite the turbine and wired into the battery.