Water Wheel Generator

The world continues to move toward eco-friendly renewable energy by creating new, more advanced technologies. Solar panels, wind turbines, and dams are some of our biggest contributors. This project takes a second look at the potential of bringing the vertical water wheel back into the limelight. Historically water mills have been crucial in the progress and growth of civilization by being a major source of strength and power. Combining this power with a continuously recycled water flow has the potential to create a constant source of renewable energy. Using the principles of water wheel designs that have been perfected over centuries and securing a small generator creates a viable configuration for a tabletop water powered generator. The goal is to create an enclosed system where a water wheel powers its own pump for recycling water flow and still outputs enough wattage to be used to charge batteries. This prototype has gone through rapid prototyping using 3D printed wheel designs for the optimization of electrical output. On a small scale this design can be a tabletop charger however, on a larger scale, this design could power homes and office buildings without the hazards of daming.