The centrals of energy Mini Hydraulics generate renewable electricity for more than a century, although today many have fallen into disuse. In Spain, the Millar barely exceeds active centrals, reducing practically halfway since the 60s, its moment of chosen. However, despite being a specific type of power plant, as energy is included in the hydraulics.
How electricity is generated
Mini-hydraulic energy is obtained by channeling the water For some Pipes Where the water jump is located, taking it to the central or making it fall to the turbine. Thus, the pressure exerted on the turbine will turn it into electricity. That is, water, falling, exerts pressure on it and transforms it into electrical energy.
Therefore, electrical energy is obtained from the same energy kinetics of water caused gravity, which means that natural or artificial unevenness will be the one that largely determines the power. They are usually considered mini hydraulic dams that have an installed power not exceeding 10 MW and dimensions below 15 meters.
ADVANTAGES OF THE HYDRAULIC MINI
Apart from possible issues Environmental And of the important installation that is required, although those of flowing water require minimum works, the mini hydraulic energy has numerous advantages. Not being intermittent, as it happens with wind or solar, is one of them, or not having an end, because no matter how use the river continues to flow and does not run out.
Nor is it polluting, because it does not emit greenhouse gases, which is a great advantage over other sources such as coming of fossil fuels. In turn, the proximity of the place where it occurs not only encourages energy independence but also avoids the use of large high voltage networks, so we save their high environmental and economical cost, as well as losses of electricity in transport.
In addition to being used in systems electric Public, the hydraulic mini can be used to generate self -consumption electricity or, in case of surpluses, even to sell electricity to the network.
Possibilities for self -consumption
If in a certain location we have a water jump capable of ensuring a minimum electricity supply, we will obtain a catering regular which can be an interesting alternative to other sources of renewable energy such as solar or wind.
And, of course, the mini hydraulics It can be combined with other energy sources, such as solar, wind or geothermal, whose choice will depend on our budget and climatology of the place. However, doing so will be unnecessary in the event that we do not need to increase electricity production.
Conclusions
The specificity of hydraulic energy consists of absence of dams or, if there are, they are very small. Basically, the centrals mini–hydraulic They do not consume water from the river, they simply collect it and then return it later, at a later point of the channel. Specifically, electricity is generated thanks to water jumps, without following the system of large hydraulic, unusual prey by attempting against the ecosystem and the world hydrological cycle.
In this way, there would be two types of mini hydraulic plants: The plants on the foot of the dam, which retain water in a small reservoir and those of flowing water, which involve building a river derivation to feed a channel that through pipes carries the water to the turbine to finally return it to the channel. In both cases, although its impact is much less than in the case of large dams, they can be harmful to the environment, so the environmental recommendations of the World Dam Commission for planning and execution must be followed.
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