Rainwater Energy Harvesting Using Micro-Turbines in Downpipes

Josie Carter, Amin Rahmani, Mahdieh Dibaj and Mohammad Akrami ()
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Josie Carter: Department of Engineering, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QF, UK
Amin Rahmani: Department of Engineering, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QF, UK
Mahdieh Dibaj: Department of Engineering, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QF, UK
Mohammad Akrami: Department of Engineering, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QF, UK

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 4, 1-20

Abstract: Renewable energy sources are rapidly increasing in demand and importance as governments and countries around the globe begin to understand their vital role in reducing climate change. This project aimed to design and create an optimised micro-hydro turbine system for downpipes to harness the currently untapped potential energy from rainwater. Experimental methods were used to determine the magnitude of voltage output available at different rainfall intensities by simulating such flow rates on a hydraulic bench. The viability of this energy to power household appliances was then evaluated, and methods of increasing the voltage output were assessed, such as layering the turbines in a single downpipe or placing multiple downpipes around the building. The study determined that, during average rainfall in the UK, a single turbine could produce a maximum of 7.21 V of DC voltage, or 50.49 V during heavy rainfall—enough energy to power a mobile device charger or a vacuum cleaner, respectively. Therefore, this proves a high potential in rainwater energy harvesting as a renewable energy source. It was also concluded that a positive correlation occurred for both the number of turbines in a downpipe and the number of pipes around the building with the voltage output of the whole system.

Keywords: Gorlov; electromagnetic induction; rainwater; renewables; optimisation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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