Calculate hydroelectric power potential. Estimate energy from water flow rate and elevation drop.
Calculate potential hydroelectric power from water flow and head height.
The Hydropower Energy Calculator helps you evaluate the electricity generation potential of a water source based on flow rate and elevation drop (head). Hydropower is one of the oldest and most reliable forms of renewable energy, with efficiencies reaching 90%.
According to the Department of Energy, hydropower provides about 7% of U.S. electricity and 31% of renewable energy. Micro and pico hydropower systems are ideal for off-grid locations with year-round water flow, offering 24/7 generation unlike solar or wind power.
Typical turbine efficiencies: 70-90% for Pelton, 80-95% for Kaplan, 85-95% for Francis.
| Scale | Power Range | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|
| Pico | Under 5 kW | Single home, cabin |
| Micro | 5-100 kW | Farm, small community |
| Mini | 100 kW-1 MW | Village, industrial |
| Small | 1-10 MW | Town, utility-scale |
Related tools: Wind Energy Calculator, Solar Panel Calculator
Power (kW) = Water Density x Gravity x Flow Rate x Head x Efficiency. P = 9.81 x Q x H x n, where Q = flow (m3/s), H = head (m), n = efficiency.
Head is the vertical distance water falls. More head = more power. A 10m head produces 10x more power than 1m head with same flow.
Micro hydro (<100kW) typically needs 0.1-1.0 m3/s flow. A stream with 0.1 m3/s flow and 10m head can produce about 7-8 kW with 80% efficiency.