Open source since 2018
The Rotor is open source.
Since 2018 we share all our know-how with the world – free to download, build and improve.
Why open source?
A joint decision
After five years of development as a start-up, the team decided together in 2018 to make the Rotor fully open source. The goal of mobile hydro has always been to bring electricity to people without grid access – openly available blueprints allow anyone, anywhere, to build, adapt and improve the Rotor with locally available materials.
Downloads
Construction files
3D CAE construction files
CAD data for laser/waterjet cutting and turning/milling parts, plus the parts list. Think through solutions and come up with creative ideas – most importantly, keep it simple.
ZIP, 9.6 MB · contains RAR archives (e.g. open with 7-Zip)
2D production drawings
PDF drawings of all parts, sorted by manufacturing process and material (steel S235, stainless steel, aluminium). Create your own hydro power plant.
ZIP, 3.0 MB · 23 PDF drawings
Parts list
Complete bill of materials of the final prototype (status March 2016).
Excel, 41 KB
Background information
Project reports and theses
Pilot installation of low-cost hydropower in Bangladesh
Association Watever · PDF, 13 MB
Suitability of a DC machine as a generator
Bachelor’s thesis M. Manersberger, TUM (German) · PDF, 2.6 MB
Low-cost hydropower concept for decentralized use
Bachelor’s thesis H. Seehauser, University of Innsbruck, 2015 (German) · PDF, 1.8 MB
Mobile pico hydro power plant – concept & design
Industrial Design, TUM (German) · PDF, 62 MB
Further reading
- Rawlings, G. W. (2008): Parametric Characterization of an Experimental Vertical Axis Hydro Turbine. Master’s thesis, University of British Columbia.
- Ragheb, M.: Optimal Rotor Tip Speed Ratio. Lecture notes, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
- Design considerations for H-type vertical axis wind turbines (paper).
- Performance evaluation of the next generation of small vertical axis wind turbines (paper).
Focus on your skills.
Think
It is a prototype – there are many opportunities for improvement.
Make
Create your own power plant.
Use
Produce your own eco-friendly energy.
We would like to hear from you.
Built a Rotor, improved a module or have questions about the files? Let us know.