It’s not every day that you get the privilege to help engineer and install a micro-hydroelectric system, and I was given the opportunity from a long-time friend in Paonia, CO. We worked together on surveying and the site plan and he had me to do the modeling to ensure the piping and components would all fit in the small underground vault.

So, I designed and modeled most of the equipment for the 3kW micro-hydroelectric system on SolidWorks CAD to confirm fit, function, and maintenance access. The modeling included system housing (a subsurface concrete vault, piping arrangement, valves), the turbine (housing, nozzles, bearings, gland followers), the generator (gearbox, shaft, couplers, pillow-block bearings), and the tailrace (collection box, piping).

I specifically designed the nozzle placement for optimal jet trajectory on the Turgo turbine runner to maximize power generation. The system went on-line in 2019, generating power that is purchased by the local utility company.