Modular Hydroelectric Generator

For my project I built a Modular River Electric Generator that is meant to be used by rural areas of third world countries to cheaply and easily power electrical devices. The lack of electricity in third world countries is a humanitarian crisis, stunting the economy and reducing quality of life. Because of this I created a plane like machine that is placed underwater in a river or stream. One of these devices produces about 30 watts of continuous electricity. Villagers can put as many as they need on the rope to fit their energy needs. The plane is held in place by a rope that goes from one side of river or stream to the other and tied to a tree on each side. On one side there is a battery box that stores energy generated for use later in the day. The device was also designed to transfer energy long distances because most people don’t live right up to the river. The design is injection molded out of ABS so that it could be mass produced at an extremely low cost. Although this prototype was 3D printed because 3D printing is the best way to prototype injection molded parts. The hydroelectric device is meant to operate underwater in order to reduce the chance that a log or boat floating down the river could break the rope. The device also uses an aerodynamic design similar to a plane’s in order to reduce the drag force acting on the rope. It has wings in order to reduce the centrifugal force that could cause it to spin underwater. The hydroelectric plane is kept watertight, using rubber O-rings and washers, to prevent the water from corroding the generator. Using a kaplan turbine, for low pressure high velocity applications such as this, the device converts the linear energy of the river into rotational energy. The rotational energy is then converted into electrical energy using a stepper motor, as an electric alternating current generator. The generator usually outputs around 10 to 20 volts. A bridge rectifier then converts it to directed current(DC), so that it can c