Tides Flow, So Does Water Downhill

As bad as this doodling is that I threw together today, it sort of gives the idea in a very cartoonish, amateurish way. Anyway, here's a terrific site a friend who was (now retired) actually manager of a very large hydro station sent to me. Good stuff for anyone wanting to know state by state what is out there for assistance on many levels.

http://www.dsireusa.org/



Tom Drake's comment below reminded me to post his 2cs chart. Looks to be at a potentially interesting point here.

Tides Rock !

Like following the bouncing ball. Its as simple as that. Yes, anyone can make a pittance of money in this market on the short side .....if he pays attention, and watches the tides. So I did it and scalped handsomely on the short side as a novelty today....just to prove it can be done. But, its a bull market, so dont try making a living on the short side here....not good for your health or welfare.

Yeah I know....not nearly as interesting as building solar panels or even close to building a hydroelectric station in your backyard.......but the title of this blog is, afterall, tides-trends-trading......not green power, unite! So, I guess, as long as there is interest by many on receiving the keys to the markets, I'll keep unlocking the door.....at least until I either grow bored or no one shows interest anymore.

Project Two - Low Flow, Low Head Hydro

Okay, project number 2. Quite a bit more ambitious than the solar project. Here's the plan....I have a small drainage channel that runs around the back of my propery, and it appears that it runs all year long. The flow is small, I estimate maybe only a 1/2 cubic foot per second right now (winter) and am not sure what it would flow in the spring, summer or fall.

So, I take that water and convey it to the area that is called "entrance to pond" area. The conveyance structure, since the flow is low, would probably be an open wood box kept level and supported on legs...about 100' long. The water would be brought to the pond entrance area and dumped onto an overshot water wheel to turn a shaft that would then be taken through a speed increaser and finally to a simple generator or alternator to produce power.

That's it in a nutshell.....cost? I have no idea right now, but part of the cost will be securing the land rights to build the waterwheel and operate it. I probably would need to buy the land on which just the pond is situated. Added benefits? In the winter I can turn the powerhouse into a warming hut and use the pond for a skating rink. Imagine how much fun we could have with the grandkids there as they grow up over the years. Okay, here's some snowy pictures....wish I could show more, but I think this will give you the idea.


Entrance to the pond below.



Entrance to the pond again.




Entrance to pond looking toward pond from our house.



Another view of entrance to pond



Note rock wall along right side of picture. At the upper end of the rock wall is where the water would be picked up and then conveyed down to the pond.



Middle of rock wall straight ahead, note pond on right side of picture



Standing on back deck, pond straight ahead.