Micro-Hydropower Module Information
LESSON IDENTIFICATION:
Lesson or Module Name: Micro-Hydropower
Lecture Hrs: 2
Lab Hrs: 1 (discussion and group activities)
Lesson Level: Beginner
Delivery Method is best Suited for:
 Face to Face (F2F)
 Computer and projector are required for the PowerPoint presentation.
 High speed Internet connection is needed to play video links and show online
assessment tools.
 Supplemental materials are provided in ‘Student Handouts’ folder.
OVERVIEW OF LESSON:
Course Goals:
1. This course introduces the hydrologic cycle and hydropower as a way of
generating renewable energy from the gravitational force of flowing and falling
water.
2. The history of hydropower is reviewed and current issues regarding large-scale
hydropower are discussed.
3. Micro-hydropower (systems under 100 kW) is presented as an environmentally
sound practice of generating renewable energy.
4. System components, terms and processes are presented and demonstrated (via
PowerPoint and videos).
5. Agricultural applications of micro-hydropower are presented along with a
description of energy storage and delivery methods.
6. Project development tools to determine head and flow, system sizing and
permitting (etc.) are explained and demonstrated (via PowerPoint and videos).
7. Hydropower’s potential to enhance other renewable energy technologies is
presented in an explanation and case study of pumped storage systems.
Learning Objectives:
Upon successful completion of the course, a student should be able to:
1. Illustrate the hydrologic cycle and describe how hydropower uses the
gravitational force of flowing and falling water to produce electricity.
2. Critique current issues regarding large-scale hydropower and enumerate the
main environmental, economic and ‘logistical’ benefits of micro-hydropower
(systems under 100 kW).
3. Describe and identify main system components, terms and processes.
4. Identify agricultural applications of micro-hydropower and explain energy
storage and delivery options.
5. Estimate head and flow of potential hydropower sites using a sight level and the
Weir Method.
6. Design a theoretical system using recycled parts and their knowledge of the
necessary mechanics of a functioning micro-hydropower system.
6. Explain pumped storage systems as a way to enhance other renewable energy
technologies.
Activities:



Multimedia PowerPoint presentation with videos, maps, diagrams, and
active web-links
Discussion prompts and pop-quizzes are included within presentation for
class participation
Group activities and assignments are offered within presentation
Assessment:
 Assignments, Case Studies and Exercises are found in the Notes section of
slides and in the Student Handouts folder.
Other Issues/FAQ's/Discussion:
Substantial information is provided in the Notes section below many slides that
require advance review in order to explain the slide’s content. Depending on your
class’ particular needs, you may want to be selective on what concepts to
elaborate on and which to omit. Various documents are included in the Student
Handouts folder which can be distributed as reading/response assignments
according to your time and chosen focus.
Sources:






The National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service
National Center for Appropriate Technology
Renewables First
Integration of Renewable Energy on Farms (IREF)
Home Power Magazine
Energy Systems and Design (ESD)
Educational Standards Met in this Module
Common Core State Standards
Agribusiness Systems Career Pathway Content Standards
 ABS.01
 ABS.02
 ABS.05
 ABS.07
Common Career and Tech Core Standards
 AG1.1
 AG1.3
 AG1.5
 AG1.7
Animal System Career Pathways Content Standards
 AS.01
 AS.02
 AS.03
 AS.06
 AS.07
Biotechnology Systems Career Pathway Content Standards
 BS.01
 BS.02
 BS.03
College & Career Readiness-Anchor Language
 CCRA.L.2
 CCRA.L.3
 CCRA.L.4
 CCRA.L.5
College & Career Readiness-Anchor Reading
 CCRA.R.1
 CCRA.R.2
 CCRA.R.3
 CCRA.R.8
 CCRA.R.9
College & Career Readiness-Anchor Speaking & Listening
 CCRA.SL.1
 CCRA.SL.2
 CCRA.SL.4
 CCRA.SL.6
College & Career Readiness-Anchor Writing
 CCRA.W.1
 CCRA.W.2
 CCRA.W.5
LifeKnowledge and Cluster Skills Content Standards
 CS.04
 CS.05
 CS.06
Food Products and Processing Systems Career Pathway Content Standards
 FPP.01
 FPP.02
 FPP.03
 FPP.04
Natural Resources Systems Career Pathway Content Standards
 NRS.01
 NRS.02
 NRS.04
 NRS.05
 PS.01
 PS.02
 PS.03
Power, Structural and Technical Systems Career Pathway Content Standards
 PST.01
 PST.02
 PST.03
English Language Arts Standards-Science and Technical Subjects
 RST.11-12.1
 RST.11-12.10
 RST.11-12.2
English Language Arts Standards-Writing
 WHST.11-12.1.A
 WHST.11-12.1.B
 WHST.11-12.1.D
 WHST.11-12.1.E