Dylan said:Dylan.....who once had to listen to his BIL tell me that the little NON-FALLING 10 cfs stream behind his home had enough energy to power his neighborhood, because....well, because an electrician friend of his said it could. My questions on the subject were limited to two: How deep was he planning to dig the hole such that the water would have some energy due to its falling?? And, How much energy did he expect to use in pumping the hole dry each time it filled up.
Well, my dad is just like that.....
he told me about a great invention...it would hook on your faucet and generate electric when you opened up the tub or sink water flowing.....
great idea!
BUT, when the cost of pumping the water and the cost of the water is figured in, I don't think you'd come out ahead!
BTW, a contact of mine near here owns a sheet metal shop on a mill pond, and he has really good flow as well as really good drop. Although I am not a engineer, but I am good at google, and I worked the whole thing out for him. It might be worth his while! But this is a major waterfall (dam for the original water wheel, etc.)...
If my memory serves me well, I think he could generate $40-50. a day worth of electric after he spent about 60K, which isn't bad when you think of it.
LOTS of potential and real water power around here as it is what powered the industrial revolution in these parts.