With increasing fuel cost in isolated rural communities in Alaska alternative energy sources are being considered. One of the alternatives is Micro Hydro. Micro Hydro systems are small (100 kW or smaller) water powered sources that are used for individual users or small groups of users such as small communities or developments. There are two basic types of Micro Hydro systems that are based on two different environmental conditions. Run of the River systems are situated on fast flowing streams with steeper topographic gradient. In-Stream systems are situated on larger flowing rivers with large volume. Run of the River Run of the river systems require an up stream intake or weir to redirect some of the stream flow through a forebay tank to separate out any gravel and detritus. The water then flows down a penstock pipe down hill to a powerhouse and then out a tailrace to return to the stream. The height or head between the top of the penstock and the powerhouse provides most of the gravitational potential for the production of energy. The water flow across a Pelton wheel or other type of turbine provides the energy conversion to a generator. Transmission lines then connect to the individual users. In-Stream In-Stream or Hydrokinetic systems depend on large volume flows rather than high head as the major component of energy production. Large rotor blades either positioned vertically or horizontally are placed into the river flow for energy conversion. The generators are usually fixed to the gearbox and transmission lines run out of the unit to the users. These system designs are basically the same for tidal energy systems. Run of the River System.

Pacific Northwest Regional Water Quality Coordination Project Partners Land Grant Universities Alaska Cooperative Extension Service Contact Fred Sorensen: 907-786-6311 http://www.uaf.edu/ces/water/ University Publications: http://www.alaska.edu/uaf/ces/publications/ Idaho University of Idaho Cooperative Extension System Contact Bob Mahler: 208-885-7025 http://www.uidaho.edu/wq/wqhome.html University Publications: http://info.ag.uidaho.edu/Catalog/catalog.html Oregon Oregon State University Extension Service Contact Mike Gamroth: 541-737-3316 http://extension.oregonstate.edu/ University Publications: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/ Washington Washington State University WSU Extension Contact Bob Simmons: 360-427-9670 ext. 690 http://wawater.wsu.edu/ University Publications: http://pubs.wsu.edu/ Northwest Indian College Contact Charlotte Clausing: 360-392-4319 cclausing@nwic.edu or http://www.nwic.edu/ Water Resource Research Institutes Water and Environmental Research Center (Alaska) http://www.uaf.edu/water/ Idaho Water Resources Research Institute http://www.boise.uidaho.edu/ Institute for Water and Watersheds (Oregon) http://water.oregonstate.edu/ State of Washington Water Research Center http://www.swwrc.wsu.edu/ Environmental Protection Agency EPA, Region 10 The Pacific Northwest http://www.epa.gov/r10earth/ Office of Research and Development, Corvallis Laboratory http://www.epa.gov/wed/ For more information contact Jan Seago at 206-553-0038 or seago.jan@epa.gov
	The Project Land Grant Universities, Water Research Institutes and EPA Region 10 have formed a partnership to provide research and education to communities about protecting or restoring the quality of water resources. This partnership is being supported in part by the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Our Goal and Approach The goal of this Project is to provide leadership for water resources research, education and outreach to help people, industry and governments to prevent and solve current and emerging water quality and quantity problems. The approach to achieving this goal is for the Partners to develop a coordinated regional water quality effort based on, and strengthening, individual state programs. Our Strengths The Project promotes regional collaboration by acknowledging existing programs and successful efforts; assessing program gaps; identifying potential issues for cross-agency and private sector collaboration, and developing a clearinghouse of expertise and programs. In addition, the Project establishes or enhances partnerships with federal, state and local environmental and water resource management agencies, such as by placing a University Liaison within the offices of EPA Region 10.
	In Alaska In Alaska, examples of both of these systems already exist or pilot systems are being installed. As expected the colder climates and inherent freezing winter conditions bring system problems. In some designs the system is not in use in the middle of winter. Run of the River systems will work in mountainous regions such as South Eastern and South Central Alaska. In-Stream systems are more likely in interior and western Alaska where large river systems exist. Siting of these systems is important and often requires a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) permit. At this time in Alaska energy companies outside of Alaska are seeking permits for prime sites, especially near communities on large rivers such as the Yukon, as speculation possibilities. In-Stream System.
	National Water Quality Program Areas The four land grant universities in the Pacific Northwest have aligned our water resource extension and research efforts with eight themes of the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Animal Waste Management Drinking Water and Human Health Environmental Restoration Nutrient and Pesticide Management Pollution Assessment and Prevention Watershed Management Water Conservation and Agricultural Water Management Water Policy and Economics
	This material is based upon work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U. S. Department of Agriculture, under Agreement No 2008-51130-4734.

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HOME | About | Calendar | Contacts | Links | PNW Water Updates | Sitemap | Wells and Septics NIFA National Water Quality Program This material is based upon work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under Agreement No. 2008-51130-04734. all external sites will open in a new browser window page last modified on December 15, 2008