Pluvia is a microturbine system created by three Mexican students that is being used to generate electricity in low-income homes.
The system, developed by a trio of students at the Technological University of Mexico, uses rainwater runoff from rooftop rain gutters to spin a microturbine stored in a cylindrical housing.
Electricity generated by the turbine can be used to charge 12-volt batteries, which can then be used to power LED lamps and other small household appliances.
The compact generator measures about 10 inches high and 2 inches wide and receives water through a half-inch diameter pipe. Once water flows through the microturbine, it passes through a charcoal filter and ends up in a storage tank. The students claim that at this point, the water is equally clean as or cleaner than the water in Mexico City's water supply systems.
What's Driving This Trend
- Microturbine Systems
- Microturbine systems using renewable energy sources offer an opportunity for residential power generation.
- Rainwater Harvesting
- Rainwater harvesting is an efficient way to generate electricity in remote or low-income areas without access to reliable power grids.
- Compact Generators
- Compact generators that can produce clean energy from renewable sources represent a disruptive innovation in the energy industry.
Who This Affects Most
- Renewable Energy
- Renewable energy industries can leverage rainwater-powered microturbine systems to provide clean energy solutions for remote or low-income regions.
- Home Power Generation
- Rainwater harvesting systems on residential homes can help homeowners generate their own power and reduce reliance on the power grid.
- Green Technology
- Compact generators using clean and renewable energy sources presents an opportunity for the green tech industry to expand its impact and offerings.
