PowerSwitch

adam2 · Joined: 02 Jul 2007 Posts: 2241 Location: London UK

Most unlikely to be viable.
Flowing or falling water does indeed contain potential energy which could be captured by a suitable turbine and used to generate electricity.
The volumes are however limited as are the heights involved, the flow rate is also variable, and is zero most of the time.
Blocked drains are a reccuring problem in many premises and anything that restricts or slows the flow of waste water will add to the problems.

I would be very suprised indeed if the year round average power production would exceed one watt, for a household. An average of one watt would be worth about £10 a year.
And how much would these devices cost to install ? and clean and unblock.
And for what could this be used ? perhaps charging a few AA cells, it certainly could not be grid tied since apart from the capital cost, the losses in the grid tie inverter would exceed the output.

Sounds the sort of thing the government could spend a few million on researching !
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Ted · Joined: 10 Jan 2007 Posts: 79 Location: Carmarthenshire

To be fair the article does say that the device is designed for high-rise buildings so head isn't an issue.

But using grey water to power a bladed turbine doesn't sound like a good idea. Perhaps this will really be when the Sh!t hits the fan.

RenewableCandy · Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 6211 Location: York

JohnB · Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2010 8:31 pm Post subject:

RenewableCandy · Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 6211 Location: York

erm just realised: sorry to be a pedant but technically if it comes from the bog it's blackwater. (As in, the Usonian private army).
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Adam1 · Joined: 01 Sep 2006 Posts: 2660 Location: SW England

I wouldn't want to be on the hydro maintenance detail!
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JohnB · Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2010 10:42 pm Post subject:

RenewableCandy · Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 6211 Location: York

As such, they're part of an ongoing trend...
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JohnB · Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2010 12:00 am Post subject: