A study of micro hydro generator performance using rainwater for domestic energy harvesting stator design (part 1)

Selection of energy source depends on several factors, including energy availability, economic and power requirements. Hydro power is more cost effective than any other form of renewable power. This paper studies the performance of various stator designs in a micro hydro generator. The generator generates energy using rainwater that falls from the roof drainage system. The rainwater flows through the drainage hits the turbine and generates output power less than 500 W. This entire system consists of two main parts; mechanical and electrical. This paper focuses on the factors of designing micro hydro generator; the rotor and stator which the performance of each design of the stator is tested. The design factors to be considered in the stator are the copper wire size and number of turns of copper wire with 8 poles of magnet placed at the rotor. The designed generator produces output power in AC, then it is converted into DC using rectifier. The output power of this generator must be able to withstand over 2.5 W with 8 V DC voltage and 250 mA DC current at the highest rotation speed; 900 rpm. However, the power produced depending on capacity of rainwater as well as the pressure of the rainwater that runs from the roof drainage system that hits the turbine.