Integrated Micro Hydro System for Sustainable Rural Energy

Abstract

Reliable electricity remains limited in rural areas due to the high cost of grid extension. This study presents the design and experimental evaluation of an integrated micro hydro system with real-time IoT monitoring for sustainable rural energy. The prototype consists of a 3D-printed overshot waterwheel, a DC generator, an ESP32 microcontroller, and the Blynk platform. Performance was evaluated using single-pulley and two-pulley drive configurations under a 60 cm water head. The single-pulley system achieved a maximum output of 3.50 V with less than 10% deviation from simulation, whereas the two-pulley system reached 3.20 V with 93.75% error. The proposed system demonstrates a practical, low-cost solution for off-grid rural electrification.