Clean Energy from Rainwater (#245)

Authors

Torres Molina, Luz E

Cajigas, Samir

Matias, Diego

Lopez, Osvil

Torres Barajas, Maria

Abstract

Demand for clean energy production arises worldwide from solar, wind, and water sources. The small islands are susceptible to lack of energy frequently due to global warming and constant exposure to atmospheric phenomena such as hurricanes that worsen the generation and distribution of weak energy systems. The research aimed to evaluate a rainwater harvesting system to generate energy from roof housing in urban and rural areas in Puerto Rico. It considered the current climate in Puerto Rico using precipitation data for wet and dry periods and precipitation produced by Severe weather events. The motivation is to find the feasibility of generating power using a small turbine. The system contemplates collecting all the rainwater from flat and pitched roofs using a gutter connected to a downspout at a lower roof level. Another alternative considered is the greywater used that, combined with the rainwater, maximizes the amount of water content through the turbine. A water flow sensor sits in the gutter to measure the flow rate. The sensor has a type of pinwheel to measure the quantity of liquid through it. The selection of the best turbine depends on any specific characteristic, such as the head and flow available. Other considerations, such as whether the turbine is expected to produce power under part-flow conditions, that is, when it just rains or the combination of rain and greywater, also play an essential role in the turbine selection.