Water wheels are the traditional means of conver ting useful energy from flowing and falling water into mechanical power. Although not as efficient as turbines, they are still a viable option for producing electricity for domestic purposes. They are simple to control, lend themselves to do-it-yourself projects and are aesthetically pleasing. There are three basic types of water wheels: undershot, breastshot and overshot. Variations are Poncelet and pitchback types.
The major disadvantage is that they run relatively slowly and require a high ratio gearbox or other means of increasing the speed if they are to drive a generator. However for low power – for example, less than 5 kW and heads less than 3 m (10 ft.) – they are worth considering.
Typical Efficiency :
- Undershot : 24-45%
- BreadShot : 35-65%
- Overshot : 60-75%
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