Hydro-Electric

I want to build a hydro electric plant to power my cabin and (more inportantly) sell power back to the power company.  I have about a 50-60 ft drop.  I need help designing a system. 

This doesn't neatly fit in any of the Clean Power Alternatives subforum, so I just stuck it here. . .

 Everytime I drive to Western Kansas to visit my folks, I drive by this water treatment plant which is constantly burning off the methane.  I suppose it is better than not burning it off but it seems like an horrible waste.  There is plenty of open space around.  I'm just trying to think of a way for it be used.  It would extra cool if I could get rich in the process!  Any thoughts?

Stuart

We are facing a conundrum as our national infrastructure erodes and environmental degradation continues. I am torn mentally to bits when I read reports and studies concerning dams and their overall detrimental effect on the environment.

Of the 79,000 dams in the U.S., over 3,000 have been labeled unsafe and past due for repairs and reconstruction. Decommissioning these dams and opening waterways to their once natural flow has been proven to rehabilitate once infertile water throughfares.

Hi Guys,

Nice to find a gem out there on the web such as you guys. I was wondering if anyone out there is using hydro electric power, or has heard of anyone using hydro electric power for consumer use? I understand the concept for dams and other major construction initiatives, but I was wondering if anything exists on a smaller scale that can be used for consumers? I assume that you'd have to have your own major source of running water, but perhaps there's a way to leverage hydro power more economically and more towards the individual or home use.

Thanks,
Jonathan