Unlike large-scale hydro dams it does not require the diversion of large rivers, the construction of expensive infrastructure or significant alteration of the surrounding ecosystem.
Microhydro facilities can be installed anywhere where there is a fast-moving stream, where the water drops from a higher to lower location.
The amount of electricity that can be generated depends on the head (height from which water flows) and flow rate (amount of water flowing past a certain point).
Microhydro has a large potential in Canada because there are many streams, rivers and springs where plants can be installed.
British Columbia, Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec are the provinces with most potential for Microhydro because these provinces have either an abundance of steep streams and reliable precipitation.
Energy from microhydro facilities can be used directly (as AC power), converted to DC, or stored in batteries. Facilities can be connected to the grid or be grid-independent.
The main drawback to microhydro is the cost of labour and expertise required during the installation process, as all the equipment need to be extremely site specific.
Citation:
"Micro-Hydro Systems- A Buyer's Guide," Natural Resources Canada, accessed December 8th, 2010,
http://canmetenergy-canmetenergie.nrcan-rncan.gc.ca/fichier/79276/buyersguidehydroeng.pdf
December 9th, 2010
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