KATAHDIN ENERGY WORKS..Microhydro electric.... Anaerobic Dig

NEW...Home Power features WATER WIZARDS

Check photo for Michael Lawley, of ECOINNOVATION, N.Z.

A formal site assessment for each source of energy, esp. solar, wind, & hydro is essential.

The first step in using an alternative source of energy for your home, farm or business is to do a SITE ASSESSMENT of the potential of native renewables'--wind, solar, bio-mass, tidal, hydro; at your location; then assess the impact of any modality on the environment and your ability to 'profit' or save money as a result, i.e. Return on Investment.

The initial on-site assessment currently costs $175.--a blank form is available for your review.

Depending on the assessment, additional technical studies may need to be performed, i.e. watershed impact, penstock layout, civil engineering for weirs, abutments, electrical engineering for hybrid power systems, R.O.I. analysis; financing w/grants and tax credits, and DEP/local permitting.

If you supervised the design/construction of your house or operate a farm, you can probably act as a project manager and tap into the specialized expertise we can supply on a consulting basis.

These assessments are critical when applying for various state and local permits; and designing your facility so that environmental, zoning, etc. regulations are complied with. Maine's environmental regulations are daunting making a design which full respects the environment essential.

Click and calculate your site's power output

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New Zealand's amazing POWERSPOUT(pelton wheel)

Made of composites and easy to install.

MICRO HYDRO & TIDAL ENERGY SYSTEMS

Maine was built around water mills using rivers, streams and unique tidal power weirs. In 1820, there were over 1,400 water mills in operation; in Vinalhaven a tidal mill powered America's largest granite finishing plant,

a flour mill, and a wood working plant; and before the turn of the last century, many water mills converted to electric generation. At some like Clary Pond in Whitefield, the original millwork mill pulleys made from Lignum Vitea are still seen under neath the mill building; while a 3' rusted penstock which drove a Westinghouse generator and replaced the pulley system is still evident along the mill building.

Maine's rich history of water-powered economic development is best found by reading the 1869 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEY OF MAINE by Walter Wells first, then Earl Taylor's book and finally watching the Maine Public Broadcasting Video on water mills.

Do you want to try building a small water mill?

View our MICRO HYDRO 101 CD........a nice collection of how-to's for $10, via PAYPAL or order the ROMANCE OF WATERMILLS at http://www.muehlendvd.de/indexe.htm a beautifully scripted compendium of videos, technical descriptions of over 300 European water mills, complete with sound track.

Ready to build a working model and explore the fundamentals?

Buy the HYDROPOWER renewable energy kit from THAMES & KOSMOS(UK) for approx. $50 and you can generate power and run a small saw mill. Barnes & Noble in Augusta stocks them.

You can also search UTUBE for various PowerPoints that show various installations. I have a small collection of several which detail installations, from impound to penstock to generator house and electrical ties.

DEP APPLICATION kit..

No matter what you decide to do, you will probably have to submit an application for a permit to DEP contact them, at (207) 287-7784 for a permit 'kit'. **note there is a shifting of responsibility to other agencies underway, Dana Murch retired this summer.

This is one stop shopping that includes FERC and ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS permits, riverine & tidal.

You will need help submitting an application that is acceptable to DEP. I can prepare your microhydro application and tailor your installation to meet critical concerns found in the application's 27 criteria for siting and construction.

SITE ASSESSMENTS are essential!!

You must have sufficient flow over time to select the 'best' energy extraction device for your waterway. There are a variety of techniques to measure head or pressure(PSI) and flow in terms of gallons per second. With these two variables the theoretical WATTS can be calculated, and then discounted based on the efficiencies of components of your system. You will need to annualize your flows over a year and factor in everything from a 100 year rain event to drought and maintenance of downstream water flows.

Want to Improve your waterway to restore various fish populations?

My paper on Biosequestration and Micro Hydro delivered at the 2009 SMALL HYDRO conference in Vancouver, BC is a good starting point. Just write for a copy.

We have the latest technology to protect your aquatic environment including weirs that have integrated fishways, hydro screens, coandas, and invasive species filters.