Hydro Links

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
Public Reference Section, 941 North Capitol Street, NE, Washington, DC 20426
Phone: (202) 208-1371
Web site: http://www.ferc.gov/industries/hydropower.asp#skipnavsub
Contact for information on FERC hydropower licensing and exemption documents.

Download FERC's Guide to Developing Small / Low-Impact Hydropower Projects


Hydro Publications

Microhydropower Systems: A Buyers Guide, Natural Resources Canada (2004). Click the link to download.

Home Power (magazine), P.O. Box 520, Ashland, OR 97520. Phone: (800) 707-6585. Email: hp@homepower.org; www.homepower.com.
Published bi-monthly. Contact for ordering back issues and subscription information.

How To Build and Operate Your Own Small Hydroelectric Plant, J. Butler, TAB Books, 1982. Out of print. Check local library and inter-library loan system. This book contains a detailed description of a small-hydro system in Vermont and useful information on building a hydro system.

Microhydropower Handbook, E & G Idaho, Inc., U.S. Department of Energy, 1983, (2 Vols.). Available from:
National Technical Information Service,
5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161;
Phone: (800) 553-6847; Email: orders@fedworld.ntis.gov;
Vol 1, 428 pp., $71.50, Order No. DE83006697;
Vol. 2, 408 pp., $71.50, Order No. DE83006698.
This handbook contains detailed information on system design, construction, operation, economics, and legal and environmental issues.

Micro-Hydro Design Manual: A Guide to Small-Scale Water Power Schemes, A. Harvey, et al., Intermediate Technology Development Group, London, 1993. Available from Stylus Publishing. 288 pp., $55.00 plus shipping and handling. ISBN 185339-103-4. This manual covers design, operation and maintenance, commissioning, electrical power, induction generators, electronic controllers, management, and energy surveys.

Micro-Hydro Pelton Turbine Manual, J.Thake, Intermediate Technology Development Group, London, 1999. Out of print. 320 pp. ISBN 185339-460-2. This book provides information on how to manufacture Pelton turbines.

Micro Hydro Power Sourcebook, A. Inversin, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), 1986.
Available from NRECA International Foundation, IPD9-202,
4301 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203-1860;
Phone: (703) 907-5500. Cost: $22.00 plus $4.00 shipping and handling. This manual thoroughly describes all aspects of micro-hydro system design and installation in a developing country context, but contains information applicable anywhere.

Motors as Generators for Micro-Hydro Power, N. Smith, Intermediate Technology Development Group, London, 1994. Available from Stylus Publishing. 84 pp., $12.00 plus shipping and handling, ISBN 185339-286-3. This is a guide to the use of induction motors for electricity generation.

Pumps as Turbines: A User’s Guide, A. Williams, Intermediate Technology Development Group, London, 1995. Available from Stylus Publishing (see Organizations below). 84 pp., $12.00 plus shipping and handling, ISBN 185339-285-5. This is a practical book for using standard water pumps as water turbines.

Water Current Turbines: A Field Workers Guide, P. Garman, Intermediate Technology Development Group, 1986. Available from Stylus Publishing. 100 pp., $25.00 plus shipping and handling, ISBN 094668-827-3. This guide describes experience with the current turbine.