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By Jessica Richardson
Staff Writer Brent Summerville, with Appalachian State University, shows the type of piping he used in a hydropower project. Paul and his wife Lara Chew have been making their own power from water successfully for seven years. The couple seems to truly live the simple life. The two live in a cabin originally built in the 1850s on 52 acres north of Coweeta. “Where the pavement ends, the electricity stops,” said Chew.As Paul told more than sixty others in a wind and water power workshop Friday, held at the NC Cooperative Extension office in Franklin, if you’re living off the grid, you can’t just turn a switch and expect to ‘plug in’ anything you want. Unlike some considering alternative energy, Paul and Lara started with the hydro power system and learned how much energy they could use. With more than 200 springs in the valley, the couple used an abundant renewable resource and had help from a neighbor building a current system that involved about a 15- foot fall of water flowing at about 150 gallons per minute. When turned into energy, that means about 125 watts a day or 90 kilowatts a month. That means making decisions like a smaller refrigerator, using only compact fluorescent bulbs and limiting electrical items. Lara said, “That’s right ladies, no hair dryer!” According to Brent Summerville, Appalachian State University project manager of a western NC Renewable Energy Initiative, the average American household uses 850 kilowatts a month. Paul Chew discussed his hydropower system for his home. Paul Chew said they have hopes of starting a Coweeta Heritage Center and currently have four interns working on their property and learning about sustainable living. The couple is building a new system, and as Paul explained, he has learned a lot from experience and having an off-the-grid system requires maintenance such as going to clean leaves screen that filters the water.His system has had its flaws, said Chew, adding that they built the shed for the batteries before realizing how much battery space they needed. In the new system, they’ll be planning it the other way around. So if it is so much work, why do it? Chew said for he and Lara, it’s just as much about preserving the heritage of the area and sustainable living. “We’re wanting to help preserve the valley. There are a lot of developers who would love to buy it up and sell it. We want to keep the grid and electricity out of the valley … to slow development.” Chew added that nowadays, many are disconnected with where electricity comes from and its effects such as pollution. Summerville added that in some rural areas, it is a matter of not being able to afford an extension of the utility lines, which costs can range in the $10,000 or more. Lara said that was the incentive in the beginning. The power of wind and water Summerville was the primary speaker in a daylong event Friday focusing on the possibilities of harnessing the energies of wind and water in western N.C. Summerville gives the impression that he is involved in alternative energy not just because it’s renewable and better for the environment, but because it’s fun. Summerville began both of his talks with the reminder that both the water and wind cycles are driven by the power of the sun. In many areas in the mountains, wind or water are more viable resources for some. “Appalachia is a hot spot for hydropower,” said Summerville. Later, he said, the mountains were also the “saving grace for wind power in the southeast.”Summerville focused on micro hydro power, small systems that provide energy for a home or farm. Benefits of micro hydro, said Summerville include that it is small in scale, has minimal environmental impact, and is affordable and number one it is consistent. Hydro produces energy all the time. “In the mountains,” said Summerville, “the most common resource is a stream falling.” Hydropower isn’t available to everyone, obviously the first ingredient is a streambed through your property. Summerville said it has to be flowing at 10 to 30 gallons per minute minimum and that the bed has to include some kind of drop. Hydropower uses a turbine system to harness energy. According to Summerville, the energy is converted through “rotational energy.” One type of turbine includes an impulse, which turns from the impact of a jet of water firing onto it. “It’s old technology that still works,” said Summerville. The clean water is taken from a point in the stream and directed through a pipe, is filtered and then goes into the turbine house. The turbines are turned by water, which creates a motion that drives a generator, which produces energy. The energy can be stored in batteries and then transmitted for use. Certain things must be observed, such as only diverting less than 50% of the stream. Other considerations include keeping “all of your investments out of the flood zone if you can.” In other words, piping out the water from the source to a turbine house that is outside of the flood zone. The pipe can be expensive, making up about 40% of the cost, said Summerville, who used a high-density polyethylene plastic pipe for a hydropower project. He has built hydropower systems at Turtle Island preserve and Mollie’s branch. Another aspect to remember is to calculate the loss to friction in carrying the water through the pipe. A four-inch pipe has minimal loss, said Summerville. Summerville went through the steps of measuring the head, or the overall drop of the water from the top of the property, as well as measuring the flow of the stream. The distance that the energy has to be carried through a wire to the house or building must also be considered. “Consider how much energy you need,” said Summerville, suggesting homeowners do a “detailed load assessment.” Wind power can also be a viable source of energy in the high country, particularly on the ridges in western N.C. Not surprisingly, the location can make a huge difference. According to Summerville, 12 mile per hour winds produce 73% more energy than 10 mile per hour winds, because the power produced equals the velocity to the third power. In Boone, on Beech Mountain, Summerville and others with the NC Small Wind Initiative test out wind generators year round, from small turbines to big machines. The most successful type of wind turbines were designed by the Danish in the 80’s, which are the ones that are commonly used throughout the world today. Wind has grown more popular across the world as a non-polluting, clean energy source. “Wind has grown to be normal energy,” said Summerville. “It cost the same or less and we’ve seen the problems with coal, which are making wind look even better and better.” State incentives exist for alternative energy. NC Greenpower, a nonprofit organization, works with power companies and micro producers to reimburse individuals who sell energy back to the grid. For hydro, the return is minimal at about 1 to 2 pennies. “It’s best to use it on-site,” said Summerville, regarding hydropower. State incentives can be searched at www.dsireusa.org “I wish I had heard all of this before I started planning our system,” said Chew, about Summerville’s presentation. Brent Summerville can be reached at
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. A copy of Summerville’s presentation is available on the web at http://wind.appstate.edu. |
