Sustainable Hydrokinetic Energy System for Smart Home Applications

Abstract

The exploitation of hydrokinetic resources represents a sustainable and efficient alternative for renewable energy generation. This study presents the design and real-world implementation of a compact hydrokinetic system capable of converting rainwater runoff into electricity within smart homes. Unlike conventional large-scale hydrokinetic technologies, this system was specifically engineered for intermittent, low-flow conditions typical of residential rainwater collection networks. The turbine was manufactured using 3D-printed biodegradable materials to promote environmental sustainability and facilitate rapid prototyping. Through CFD simulations and laboratory testing, the system’s hydraulic behaviour and energy conversion efficiency were validated across different flow scenarios. The complete system, consisting of four turbines rated at 120 W each, was integrated into a real smart home without structural modifications. From an academic perspective, this study contributes a quantitatively validated hybrid hydrokinetic–low-head framework for residential rainwater energy recovery, addressing intermittent and low-flow urban conditions insufficiently explored in existing literature. Field tests demonstrated that the hydrokinetic system provides complementary energy during rainfall events, generating up to 6000 Wh per day and enhancing household energy resilience, particularly during periods of low solar availability. The results confirm the technical feasibility, sustainability, and practical viability of decentralized hydrokinetic energy generation for residential applications.