Feasibility Study on the Development of a Pico-hydro Power Plant for Village Electricity Using a Centrifugal Pump as Turbine (PAT) Prime Mover

Abstract

The need for electrical energy increases yearly; this study aims to analyze the feasibility of constructing a pico-hydro power plant in remote villages that do not yet have a power grid using a centrifugal pump as a turbine. The results of the analysis of technical aspects get information that there are about 25 houses that require electrical energy. The electrical power requirement of each house is about 100 W, which is used for lighting with five energy-efficient LED lamps of 20 W each. After adding street lighting and power losses to the network of about 500 W, the total electrical power needed is around 3000 W. A pico-hydro power generation system can meet the 3000 W power with a potential power of 5 kW and an effective turbine power of 3.51 kW. The water discharge requirement for the turbine is 104 liters/s, the turbine rotational speed is 543 rpm, the generator rotation speed is 1500 rpm, the specific speed is 133, the PAT runner diameter is 8 inches, and the distance from the power plant to the resident's house is 150 m, network losses 8 V, and the household electricity voltage is 210.45 V. The results of the technical aspect analysis show that the pico-hydro power plant is considered feasible to be built. The results of this analysis are the initial stage of feasibility study activities and can be continued with analysis from other aspects such as financial, economic, social, and environmental aspects.