The use a saw for a hammer was a good analogy.
When one is discussing Power, of any kind, the ~Background~ requirements must be understood.
Using any Power Source, involves basic physical concepts, in shorter words, they require an understanding...
Of Basic Physics.
Conservation of Power would be The First topic I would suggest studying.
An example. Humans feel better, at a given surrounding Tempeture.
We can stand in front of a Campfire, and get warm.
Or, an electric heater.
Or, a Propane heater.
In Human Conservation of Power, the campfire needed human energy to start, and keep that fire going... Collecting maybe Cutting the wood! We quickly see that the energy (heat) took energy.
Indoors, turning on the electric heater, took No Real Human Energy... However, the Conservation of Energy still remains:
Energy to Create the electricity, then Energy LOSS, traveling Through the WIRES, Finally the creation of Heat, from a POOR Choice of "Fuel", Electricity!
Now, in the Propane, there is an energy consumed, in getting it To You, but, it is Direct Conversion to Heat!!!! A much better Conservation of Energy!!!
Putting the above, into your needs: the Alternator/Generator, will require Gears to take the Water, Or Wind Energ(ies) up to the level of RPM's to create the Electricity. That is Not Conserving the used Energy, as equating to the given Out put of Energy...
You will Use More Energy, than you Make!
My suggestion, would be take small technology, and study THAT, in relating to Creating Electricity!
Example. A GoodWill or Salvation Army battery powered drill, any size.... And gut it to the Motor.
Mount that motor, so it is stable, attach a Wind Catching Propeller, versus a model air Plane propeller... And see the out put! Small items like this can be inexpensive in manufacture... And teach MUCH about wind power!
Waterpower, a much different concept.
The needed information is what is called Water Head (?) or, the the drop of water, from one hight (your beginning of water source) to another level, the end of your water source.
One way most use, is to "plant" a horizontal pipe, at beginning of the water, so the water flows through it.
How far will it Drop, at the end of your property???? That is the Power, that your water has, no matter how you use it.
A gentle flow, that has little drop, is less powerful, than a faster flow, with even a Five Foot drop.... You see the difference?
Both can be used, but to What Extent, can you use it???!
Conservation of Water Power.... Different than Wind Power... But still it is a factor!!!
Yep. A long post.... But I have looked at all of that stuff, for over Thirty Years....
