Micro Hydro power is clean power produced by falling water in rivers, creeks, and streams. In an attempt to produce electricity in an environmentally sustainable way Eustace Conway has incorporated the help of the Appropriate Technology Program at Appalachian State University. The idea was first conceived of two years ago with the help of Scott Suddreth director of ARISE (Appalachian Regional Initiative for Sustainable Energy).

The dream is to create an educational experience that gives people ideas of how to create energy in a sustainable, environmentally friendly way. In 2005, power came to Turtle Island for the first time with the installation of a 900 watt photovoltaic system that creates electricity from the sun's energy.

Now the many people who visit the Island every year will get the chance to see how the water from a common stream can produce electricity also. Hydro electricity is unique in that it produces constant power twenty four hours a day. As opposed to solar energy that produces power for a maximum of 4-5 hours a day.

Several people volunteered their time and energy to this project. Some of the people involved in the project were: Director Michael Dooraghi, a graduate student of the Appropriate Technology Program at Appalachian State University (ASU) and an instructor of the Wind and Micro Hydro class taught at ASU; recent graduate of the Sustainable Development Interdisciplinary Program at ASU Marci Leffingwell and Brent Summerville, another graduate student and co instructor of the Wind and Micro Hydro class taught at ASU. There are other students who have already been out to the site to help with stream assessment.

Members of the Appalachian State University's Sustainable Energy Society (ASUSES), and Ernest Hodgkins owner of New Leaf Energy helped with the project. Students with the Wind and Micro Hydro class provided assistance with labor and technical skills.

A Message from Turtle Island

The tradition of non-electrical emphasis of sustainable living is still the main thrust and focus of Turtle Island Preserve. We also want to teach about an alternative to the destructive power grid and how local clean power is an example of how people can make this choice-action–lifestyle, for themselves.

Many thanks to all that have helped on this project.

--Turtle Island Preserve