Hydro Power Research Articles

Comparative Studies on Load Frequency Control with Different Governors connected to Mini Hydro Power Plant via PSCAD Software

Mini Hydropower Plants (MHPPs) are increasingly popular for rural electrification in developing nations due to their ecologically friendly operation. However, constant load fluctuation in these facilities poses a speed control issue. The mechanical, hydraulic governor, commonly used to face this challenge, cannot provide the best speed control due to its mechanical component system. Thus, an electrohydraulic PID-based governor is proposed to control the frequency and speed of MHPPs in a distribution network. This governor’s suitability for regulating the system's frequency in response to significant load variations within the distribution network is going to be determined in this study. The small hydropower plant and distribution system are modeled using the PSCAD software. A comparison between the mechanical hydraulic governor and the electro-PID governor was conducted by analyzing load fluctuations between 5% and 20%. The electro-PID governor responded faster and more actively to load connections and disconnections than the mechanical hydraulic governor, as the latter reduces large overshoots and undershoots, which can be dangerous and damaging to equipment. The electro-PID governor also helps to maintain a stable frequency within acceptable limits, ensuring smooth operation and minimizing the risk of system failures or disruptions.

Improved Operation and Method of a Reaction Turbine for Enhancing Net Head

In a reaction turbine, the amount of energy harnessed depends on discharge and net head. The two variables are mutually exclusive or in which one variable is dependent on another and in which the increase of head will decrease the flow required by the hydraulic turbine or vice versa. There is a need for improving the existing hydropower system and the method for enhancing the net head of a reaction turbine is essential. The present invention will hold the key in novelty during the design and excavation of tail race channel or for Renovation, Modernization and Uprating (RMU) of the existing old hydro power plants. The proper redesign of tail water channel, selecting suitable width, depth and by adopting flow regulating means will yield improve the net head substantially and thereby saving of discharge to an extent. The present invention enables to improve net head and saves discharge considerably, thereby enhancing the capacity factor of the hydro plant. The novelty and the innovation is granted an Indian patent for the method of enhancing the net head of a reaction turbines.

Power Quality Control of Micro Hydro Power Plant Based-ELC and VSI Using Fuzzy-PI Controller

Stability of frequency and voltage of micro hydro power plant (MHPP) are influenced by sufficiency of active power and reactive power respectively in handling load power. These powers are normally controlled by Electronic Load Controller (ELC) and Voltage Source Inverter (VSI), respectively. VSI is specifically added to compensate reactive power caused by inductive load. The objective of the study is to control active power and reactive power in MHPP system against the changes in load power through the improvement of ELC and VSI output responses by applying Fuzzy-PI controller. ELC applied Fuzzy-PI controller to obtain more precise TRIAC ignition angle to meet a suitable active power to balance the load power. While VSI implemented Fuzzy-PI controller to meet a precise reactive power needed to oppose inductive load power. Capability of Fuzzy-PI controller in improving ELC and VSI performance were assessed by using Matlab in complete MHPP model. Assessments on the proposed controller indicate that it was effective in improving the performance of both ELC and VSI. By applying Fuzzy-PI controller on ELC, a precise ignition angle of TRIAC stimulated a more precise ballast load to balance active power against the load power. While the addition of Fuzzy-PI controller on VSI produced more suitable reactive power to compensate for the inductive load presence. With a more stable frequency and voltage against changes in load power, the power quality of the MHPP also improve.

Badania wpływu pola magnetycznego na proces tworzenia kamienia w urządzeniach termicznych

Water is used as working fluids in hydro and thermal power engineering, as well as in heat supply and cooling systems. In the process of heating water in water-heating boilers, scale forms due to the precipitation of crystals of mineral additives and mineral salts. Over time, the accumulation of scale with low thermal conductivity leads to a decrease in the internal diameter of the pipes. Consequently, the flow of liquid is hindered, the hydraulic resistance increases and the thermal conductivity of the device decreases. The scale layer is usually removed by acid washing of the internal heat exchange surfaces or mechanical washing. However, both methods involve the use of a substantial amount of chemicals and result in highly polluted wastewater. In addition, it significantly increases operating costs. The article uses statistical methods for processing experimental data, and generally accepted methods for conducting experiments to study the patterns of scale formation using control and measuring instruments and accurate methods for measuring technological parameters. The main purpose of the paper is to study the influence of a constant magnetic field on the formation of mineral salts deposits on the surface of walls of thermal appliances used in chemical, oil refining, and food processing industry. The influence of a constant magnetic field on the formation of scale on the surface of the walls of the heating element in a water heater has been established. According to the results of an experiment aimed at preventing the accumulation of mineral salt deposits on the surface of the heating element in a water heating boiler under the influence of a magnetic field, the amount of mineral salt precipitate deposited on such surface can be reduced up to 5.2 times. Consequently, the prevention of mineral scale formation is achieved, eliminating the need to use expensive chemicals. The stable operation of the devices contributes to enhanced thermal efficiency. Under the influence of a magnetic field, scale formation decreases on average by a factor of 5, as long as the water temperature does not exceed 70°C. However, if the temperature rises above 90°C, the scale formation rate gradually increases.

Study on the Design of a Micro Hydro Power Plant in Curug Muncar, Kaliwungu Village, Bruno District, Purworejo Regency, Central Java Province

The activities and needs of humans in their daily life cannot be separated from the presence of electricity. Indonesia is a country that has many potential sources of renewable energy which until now have not been used optimally. Most of the renewable energy potential that has been utilized is in the form of rivers whose water tends to be wasted into the sea. Whereas every kilometer of the river can be used as a source of energy to drive power plants, micro hydro power plants (PLTMH) are an alternative to using renewable energy. Utilization of renewable energy can be optimized, especially in tourism locations, one of the tourism objects with the potential for PLTMH is Curug Muncar, Kaliwungu Village, Bruno District, Purworejo Regency. From the analysis results of the 15Kwp Micro Hydro Power Plant Design Study with a capacity in Muncar Waterfall, Kaliwunggu Village, Bruno District, Purworejo Regency, Central Java Province, it can be concluded as follows: The estimation results of 34.68 Kwh per day in Curug Muncar in the chapter that is in accordance with the needs of electrical energy. To simulate the design with the PLTMH application at Curug Muncar, Kaliwungu Village with digsilent. The water source for the MHP comes from the fountain river with a measured discharge at that time of 120 l/s

A SOCIAL MEDIA SENTIMENT ANALYSIS ON RENEWABLE ENERGY FORMS

This study conducts a sentiment analysis of public opinions on various energy sources, including hydro, solar, wind, and nuclear, using data from social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Quora, and Reddit. A dataset of 3,269 mentions and examining interactions, shares, and likes offers an extensive view of the current discourse on these energy forms. The methodology combines quantitative sentiment analysis with qualitative content examination to uncover underlying themes. The findings reveal strong positive sentiment towards renewable energy, mainly hydro and solar power, often described as “clean,” “sustainable,” and “efficient.” Hydro energy is highly regarded due to its minimal environmental impact, while solar energy is praised for combating climate change and technological advancements. Wind energy faces criticism for visual and noise pollution concerns and potential effects on wildlife, while nuclear power generates negative sentiments primarily due to safety and waste management issues. These results have important implications for shaping effective marketing strategies within the renewable energy industry.

Small Hydro Plant Developments

The exploitation of the renewable sources is a challenge for all the engineers. Hydro power application is ranging from a kW to order of GW. The technical solutions have a wide spectra, such as turbines and dam constructions. The hydro power potential of Hungary is modest. Óbuda University cooperates with the patent owner in the development of new devices. In this paper we introduce the latest development for the mini hydro applications capable of deploying low heading watercourses and small size rivers. The fast mountable flowing through arrangement and the anchored floating Sagebien wheel devices have 5-10 kW output power. These days the operations are in the test phase.

Development of a small wind turbine for stand-alone system in rural environment. Reuse and recycling of electric motors.

This paper studies the feasibility of using small electrical machines (e.g. automotive alternator, induction motors of domestic applications or electrical motors of some industrial application) as low cost generators for small wind turbine or small hydro power; its transformation in generators is not difficult. The objective is to provide a comparison among permanent magnet synchronous generator PMSG with different topologies (rotor configurations). The analysis was performed using FEMM-2D simulation software, which is based on finite element method. Small wind and hydro power systems are very attractive to support the energy demand for rural areas or developing countries where the electrical microgrid infrastructure is limited. Claw-pole automotive alternators can provide low cost alternative to permanent magnet synchronous generators for small wind and hydro turbines applications. The objective is the integration of hybrid energy conversion systems in microgrids and the development of small stand-alone systems in rural environment.

Porous Ni Electrodes for Hydrogen Production from Water Electrolysis

Hydrogen has been seen as one of the most valuable options regarding renewable energy storage and conversion. However, its production is still mostly based on fossil fuels, in part because of the high cost of alternative production routes, as is the case of water electrolysis for example. This fact is explained by the energy consumed during the process of hydrogen evolution from water. Nevertheless, the research on water electrolysis is justifiable by the advantages that the process offers, as high produced hydrogen purity, possible association with other renewable energy sources such as solar, hydro and wind power generation, no CO2 emissions during the evolution, simplicity of the process, as so many others. With the purpose of increasing the hydrogen-producing device (electrolysers) performance, great scientific efforts have been directed to the electrodes base materials and their surface technology. In this way, the present work propose powder metallurgy based processes as production routes of nickel porous electrodes, i.e., relatively low cost and high active superficial area electrodes for hydrogen production.

Additional Income Distribution between Small Hydropower Plant and Public Trader Using Shapley Value

The small rivers energy usage and regime optimization is considered in the paper. Possibility of additional income reception in case of cooperative behavior of the power plant owners is demonstrated. Cooperative game theory approach is used for the additional income distribution and the small-scale hydro power plants (SHPP) regime planning and management. The obtained results demonstrate the possibility of the current supporting schemes revision, in case if SHPP regime optimization is made taking into account the market conditions.

River Hydrology Analysis For Micro Hydro Power Plant

The Micro Hydro Power Plant (PLTMH) is a generator capable of fulfilling the electrical requirements of isolated regions. PLTMH serves as an alternative means of generating electrical energy for the community. This power facility offers numerous advantages, particularly for remote areas across Indonesia. Water is a crucial energy resource due to its ability to generate electricity, a cost-effective and environmentally friendly kind of energy. The micro-hydro type PLTMH (0.5–100 kilowatts) in Aceh Province is the Lhoong PLTMH, which was built with assistance from PT. Coca-Cola in 2005. This PLTMH is located in Krueng Kala Village, Lhoong District, Aceh Besar Regency. This research aims to determine the availability of the Krueng Kala Lhoong PLTMH's flow rate and the availability of power and energy produced by the Krueng Kala Lhoong PLTMH to meet the electricity needs of Lhoong residents. It is hoped that the benefits of this research will be able to provide development and knowledge, especially in the field of pyrotechnics, and can become reference material for further study, providing information about micro hydropower plants, especially the Krueng Kala Lhoong PLTMH. The research utilizes the Pearson III Log Method to calculate maximum rainfall frequency and Fj Mock for reliable discharge calculation. The research results showed that the full rain discharge with a return period of 25 years was 1152.68 mm/hour. The total potential evapotranspiration (ET0) value occurred in March, reaching 6,649 mm/day. The mainstay discharge with a probability of 85% is Q85% = 0.24 m3/second, obtaining power of 27,914 kW and energy for a year of 20787,644 kWh. The calculation results conclude that the Krueng Kala power plant is still classified as a PLTMH, producing power below 100 kW and generating an annual energy of 20,787,644 kWh. The electricity can be distributed to Meunasah Krueng Kala Village, Baroeh Krueng Kala Village, Tunong Krueng Kala Village, and small enterprises in these three communities.

Micro Hydro Power Plants in Andean Bolivian communities: impacts on development and environment

This paper's main purpose is to use the capability approach for analysing how micro hydro power plant projects in Bolivia contribute to development and equality. As secondary purposes, it aims to analyse environmental effects and sustainability of the projects and to draw an outline between energy and Human Development. To that end, we examine nine projects implemented in indigenous communities of the Bolivian rural area. We first explain the role played by energy services in Human Development, focusing on their contribution to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Then we describe the context of nine development aid projects implemented in Bolivia and the characteristics of an impact assessment on these projects committed by the Bolivian Social Grants Program. This assessment is re-examined through the lens of the capability approach. Thus, attention shifts to equality issues in the fields of ethnicity, gender and income. Finally we analyse the environmental effects and the sustainability of the proects. This paper is an example of “best practice project”, showing how renewable energy can help improving people's life in a clean and sustainable way and how the capability approach is a powerful tool for assessing this improvement

Using Renewable Energy Sources in the Province of Manitoba

This paper explores the potential for additional renewable energy options in the Canadian province of Manitoba, which already produces nearly 100% of its electrical energy using hydro power. It considers the perspectives of the national and provincial governments with regard to the future of electric transportation. It also consolidates available data collected in the province. Finally, it explores the possibilities of future applications of the concept of smart grid in the context of how this may assist the optimal energy source mix for this province. There are reasons other than economics which could drive Manitobans to invest in renewable energy sources different from hydro power. The electric vehicle (EV) is a prime example of a load that should be supplied by new renewable energy. The reduction in the consumption of petrol, the reduction of pollution, and the education in energy efficiency justify the use of renewable energies in EVs.

Operation of the Brazilian Renewable Energy System

This article describes in detail the operation of the Brazilian renewable energy system that is maybe the largest one in the planet. The Brazilian hydropower system is a system unique in the world because it hTas continental dimensions. Brazil has an 8.5 million square kilometers area. There is a complex net that is capable of delivering the country up to 104 GW (total power), among which about 84 GW are coming from hydroelectric power. More than 92% of the annual TWh consumed come from these hydro power plants. Coordinate the operation of this system is a somewhat singular task. That’s what is presented here.

Hydro, Wind, and Geothermal: Navigating the Compatibility of Renewable Energy Infrastructure with Tourism

Knowledge of the compatibility of various types of renewable energy infrastructure (REI) with tourism can help avoid conflicts between the energy and tourism sectors and facilitate the energy transition. This study aims to investigate the attitudes of tourism service providers operating in Iceland towards three types of REI—wind, hydro, and geothermal power plants—and identify the factors that shape their perceptions regarding the compatibility between REI and tourism. Mixed research methods were employed to achieve that, which included an online questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews. The study revealed that tourism service providers were the most positive towards geothermal power plants, followed by hydropower plants, and the most negative towards wind farms. The identified factors that shape their perceptions regarding REI’s compatibility with tourism included landscape and environmental impacts of REI, impacts on tourist attractions, potential of REI as a tourist attraction, perceived reversibility, and the image of REI. These factors help to identify locations where each type of REI is likely to be the most compatible with tourism. Thus, considering them in spatial energy planning is likely to reduce foreseeable conflicts between REI and tourism.

Model studies for desilting basin for Teesta-VI H.E. project, Sikkim – a case study

Desilting basins play an important role in run-of-river hydro power projects on Himalayan Rivers. These rivers carry huge amount of sediment with them, due to steep slopes and fragile geology of the region. The suspended sediment enters through the power intake and ultimately the power house. This causes heavy damage to the turbines and other under water parts. Therefore, desilting basins are provided to eliminate suspended sediment from the water conductor system. The design of desilting basin is verified on a physical model for 90% removal of suspended sediment coarser than 0.2 or 0.3 mm and efficacy of flushing tunnel below in transporting the settled sediment. Central Water and Power Research Station, Pune has conducted physical model studies for desilting basin for various hydro power projects in India and neighbouring countries. One such study, Hydraulic model studies for desilting basin for 500 MW Teesta-VI Hydro Electric Project, Sikkim is presented in this paper. Various design parameters such as length of desilting basin, length and bed slope of inlet transition, outlet transition, size of silt flushing tunnel, size and spacing of openings connecting main basin with silt flushing tunnel etc. were tested during the model studies. The results in terms of settling efficiency for 0.3 mm size particles were obtained.

Performance of rotational speed controlled small-scale head-dependent hydroelectric power plant

Small scale or micro scale hydroelectric power production is characterized by high investment costs compared to operation costs. In addition, the repayment time is often long, more than ten years (if not subsidized heavily) which requires that a small-scale hydropower plants can be profitable only if both the investment costs and the running costs are low. The performance and efficiency of a plant is very important because having long repayment time means that the efficiency improvement of one percentage unit often means the ten percentage unit improvement in profit. The most economical way to control the flow is sometimes a two point control where generators are switched on and off depending on high water level used as control variable. The water level cannot be kept constant using this method, but the traditionally used mechanical blade angle adjustment system is too expensive in very small (approximately <100 kW) units. The new method of controlling the upper water level (head) is the use of rotational speed control of turbine, implemented by a four quadrant frequency converter. The efficiency of a 4-quadrant frequency converter is approximately 97 %, which reduces the income compared to the situation where the generators are directly connected to electricity network. However, when the head is kept constant using a frequency converter, it is not required to switch off the generator circuit breakers which have a finite life time and the head height can be kept optimal in terms of performance. In this paper, a system structure, a pilot plant installation and example calculations on the feasibility of a frequency converter driven fixed blade hydro power turbine is given.

Intelligent energy management of Microgrids with flexible demand response

This paper deals with the application of a mixed integer distributed ant colony optimization (MIDACO) algorithm as an energy management system for a microgrid represented by real time values and characteristics. The microgrid consisting of numerous sources of renewable energy such as solar photovoltaics, small hydro power plant and battery storage is also able to manage demand response in an intelligent manner so as to reduce the dependency on the utility grid during high peak conditions and also export power to the grid during lower load conditions.

Nonlinear self-scheduling of a single unit small hydro plant in the day-ahead electricity market

This paper presents a model to solve the self-scheduling problem of a single unit small hydro plant, based on nonlinear programming techniques. The objective is to maximize the profit obtained by selling energy in the electricity market. The proposed model considers hydro power generation as a function of the water discharge and the net head and takes into account the unit start-ups and shut-downs. The scheduling problem is solved with commercially available optimization software. Input data are introduced through a worksheet, where results are exported once the optimization process is finished. Finally, results from a practical case study are further discussed.

Smart leader di era revolusi industri 4.0

Significant transformations have taken place with regards to the way products are produced thanks to manufacturing digitization. This transition is so convincing that it is called Industry 4.0 to represent the fourth revolution that has taken place in manufacturing. From the first industrial revolution (mechanization through hydro and steam power) to mass production and assembly lines using electricity in the second revolution, the fourth industrial revolution will take what started in the third with the adoption of computers and automation and enhance it with intelligent and autonomous systems driven by data and machine learning. The research aims to address leadership styles that are influenced by rapid technological developments by changing traditional leadership styles to digital leadership. A smart leader has the ability to inspire his employees to innovate and defend ideas. An acumen in implementing smart leadership benchmarks demonstrates a fast, cross-hierarchical, cooperative, and team-oriented approach that integrates innovation frequently.