power from a stream.

[Sunrisemike]

My son has a stream running along his garden boundary. I was wondering how much power he could generate (without damming it). Something along these lines would be good, but I'm guessing it is only producing minimum power. Anyone with any ideas? The stream is about 8 meters across, shallow, but relatively fast flowing.



Thanks,

Mike

[Stinsy]

Little-to-none is the honest answer!

The reality is that you need the water to be dropping a long way if you are to extract energy, something like 10-20meters is ideal.

You can extract heat from the river via a heat pump.

[nowty]

Little-to-none is the honest answer!

The reality is that you need the water to be dropping a long way if you are to extract energy, something like 10-20meters is ideal.

You can extract heat from the river via a heat pump.

Or an extreme amount of volume flowing which there also isn't.

[ecogeorge]

hmmm I'm not gonna be so dismissive , but the guys are correct -very little.
But lets humour the idea productively ...... We know its 8m long , what fall is there along this length ? what volume of water is flowing in litres/min or litres/sec -maybe then we can help...
George

[Oliver90owner]

I’m surprised it is only a ‘stream’ at 8m wide!

Initially, it seems like the ‘stream’ belongs to someone else. It must be pretty shallow? Or almost stagnant across a lot of the flow.

Definitely need to know more, before making any recommendations.

[ecogeorge]

I misread that !!!! 8m across ???? thas a river ..
George

[Gareth J]

Probably first thing is to work out the power the water has. Flowrate and any head available.

[Sunrisemike]

Thanks all, maybe I've over estimated the width, I will ask my son to take a photo. He is looking at having a heat pump installed at some point.
I was interested to read that he appears to own his side of the stream.

Your rights
• If your land boundary is next to a
watercourse it is assumed you own
the land up to the centre of the
watercourse, unless it is owned
by someone else

https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/media/836 ... ership.pdf

[ecogeorge]

Have a google of Riparian rights ........

Riparian rights describe an ancient, non-statutory system of rights relating to any property where there is a natural watercourse within or adjacent to its boundaries. The rights run with the land, passing from landowner to landowner with the grant of a lease or transfer.
You also may a duty to ensure clear flow etc ......
George

[Moxi]

In that area its likely to be one of the famed chalk bed streams which in general are protected by the EA amongst others due to their exceptional fauna and flora abundance and importance.

Its not unusual to have a boundary down the centre of a body of water and to own the land under that body of water but not necessarily own nor have rights to the water that flows over it.

Its a great idea but I would urge caution and ensure you are aware of all interests, rights and regulatory frameworks that may be in place before doing anything that could unleash agencies.

Moxi