Micro-hydro Power Plant Research Articles

Numerical evaluation of low-head inverted cross-flow turbine design method: A comprehensive study

This study aimed to address the challenges of micro-hydropower generation in low-head environments to expand the proportion of hydropower in renewable energy and achieve a carbon neutrality policy. To achieve these goals, various factors affecting the micro-hydro systems, including geographical constraints, construction costs, and grid connectivity, were reviewed and assessed. The results concluded that a novel type of cross-flow turbine with inverted structures, improved the economic feasibility, productivity, and installability of micro-hydropower plants by reducing head losses in open channels or small streams. The parametric studies consisted of four steps: first, designing the initial inverted cross-flow turbine based on the traditional design rules; for the second and third steps, a parametric study for comparing the runner diameter ratio and the number of blades is conducted; and in the last step optimized turbine was designed. The best efficiency point of the optimized inverted cross-flow turbine was 72.92 % at a runner rotational speed of 170 RPM with a 0.75 runner diameter ratio and 35 blades. The optimized turbine was improved by 7.8 % in power and 7.35 % in efficiency, higher than the initial turbine. From the hill chart comparison between the initial and optimized turbine, operation range expansion was confirmed. Overall, this research demonstrates the potential of the inverted cross-flow turbine under low-head conditions.

Investigations of specific modifications in pump as turbine towards performance improvement

ABSTRACT Centrifugal pumps as turbines offer a proven green energy solution for sustainable development, potentially replacing costly custom turbines in micro-hydro power plants and providing cost savings. But the efficiency of the pump as a turbine is lower than that of the dedicatedly designed pump. In this study, new simple modifications are proposed and evaluated on a developed state-of-the-art PAT test rig with impeller of specific speed 43.7 (m-m3/s). Being simple modifications, cost benefits will remain intact without requiring specially designed turbines and trained manpower. New simple modifications in PAT, like balance holes filling, packing seal optimization with appropriate size, leading edge of impeller blade tips modification making it single curve, and inner shroud widening for increasing the width at the inlet of the impeller, were proposed and performed to investigate the influence of the modifications on PAT performance. The experimental study finds that optimal packing seal size and impeller leading edge modifications notably boost PAT efficiency by 3–3.5%, making it worthwhile to implement for resource conservation and performance enhancement. On the other side, inner shroud widening noticed a 1.2% reduction in efficiency, adversely affecting the performance of PAT. Additionally, balance hole filling is neutral and does not have any effect.

PERANCANGAN PLTMH SUNGAI YEH HA DI KARANGASEM DENGAN TURBIN CROSSFLOW

Yeh Ha River in Ababi Village, Karangasem Regency, Bali, is a river that originates from the Yeh Ha springs and is used as a bathing place. This river has the potential for a new renewable energy source that can be utilized for the Micro Hydro Power Plant (MHPP). Discharge measurements were carried out for a week on one of the Yeh Ha spring source channels during the dry season. The results showed an average discharge of 0.201 m3/s. The discharge data used is the minimum potential energy that can be absorbed. Based on the measured discharge data and the used head of 4.6 m, the Tanaka Suiryoku Turbine Selection Chart shows that the crossflow turbine meets the turbine selection criteria. The results of the analysis and calculations show that the available power at the turbine is 8 kW with an efficiency of 80%. A 3-phase synchronous generator with a permanent magnet rotor was selected based on a comparison of the types, specifications, and characteristics of the generator to match the turbine capacity. The output power generated by the generator is 6 kW with a rotational speed of 1500 rpm and a generator efficiency of 90%.

PERANCANGAN JARINGAN DISTRIBUSI UNTUK PLTS TERAPUNG DAN PLTMH DI BENDUNGAN SIDAN

Blahkiuh Feeder is a 20 kV radial distribution network spanning 78.65 kms, which is the longest network in the Mengwi Network Unit. The length of the distribution lines also results in relatively high power losses. Therefore, the installation of distributed generation (DG) utilizing the potential of solar photovoltaic (PV) and micro-hydro power plants (MHP) available at the Sidan Dam has the potential to improve voltage drop and power loss values on the Blahkiuh Feeder. This research was conducted to analyze voltage and power losses due to DG installation at the Sidan Dam, with power flow simulation during peak daytime load at 14:00 and peak nighttime load at 19:00. Simulation results indicate that when interconnected with the daytime peak load at 14:00, DG interconnection results in a decrease in power loss values by 0,8% or 64 kW, and interconnection with the nighttime peak load at 19:00 also leads to a decrease in power loss values by 0.61% or 55 kW. Distributed Generation interconnection on the Blahkiuh Feeder also leads to improvements in voltage values, where interconnection during daytime at 14:00 results in voltage improvement at 41 busbars units under undervoltage condition, and interconnection during night time at 19:00 leads to voltage improvement at only 34 busbars units undervoltage condition out of a total of 50 undervoltage busbars.

ANALISIS EKONOMI SISTEM PLTMH DAN POMPA AIR SUNGAI YEH HA DI KABUPATEN KARANGASEM

Yeh Ha River in Ababi Village, Karangasem Regency, is a bathing spot utilized by locals for various purposes, fed by the Yeh Ha spring. Among its uses is filling a water tank with a capacity of 58.74 m3 to distribute water to 10 households. Initially, a waterwheel powered a mechanical pump without electricity. However, due to damage, a less efficient hydraulic ram pump replaced the waterwheel. The research aims to design a Microhydro Power Plant (PLTMH) and a water pump system. With these systems, it's expected to enhance the efficiency of filling the water tank and ensure project sustainability through economic analysis. Measurements indicate that Yeh Ha spring has a flow rate of 0.201 m3/s with a head of 4.6 m. Based on this, a crossflow turbine equipped with a centrifugal pump and variable frequency drive is chosen to meet the water needs of 12,277 people or 2,455 families. The investment for the PLTMH and water pump system is Rp3,191,330,505 with a project's economic life of 30 years. Feasibility analysis shows that the design is viable, with a positive net present value of Rp1,534,531,357 and Rp930,180,420 at discount rates of 10% and 12%, respectively. However, the benefit-cost ratio (BCR) is less than 1, at 0.48 and 0.29. The internal rate of return (IRR) is 17.6% and 15.5%, with a break-even point of 2,699,253 m3 sold, requiring a payback period of 9 years at a 10% discount rate and 10 years and 4 months at a 12% discount rate.

Membangun Kesejahteraan melalui Pembangkit Listrik Tenaga Mikro Hidro Berbasis Masyarakat di Desa Baturotok, Kabupaten Sumbawa

Despite claims of increasing electrification ratios, some regions in Indonesia still need access to PLN electricity, such as Baturotok Village, located in Batulanteh Subdistrict, Sumbawa Regency. Nevertheless, the community has endeavored to establish self-sustained lighting sources through Community-Based Micro-Hydro Power Plants (PLTMH). This article discusses the collaborative actions and community participation in building PLTMH. Additionally, this article explores the challenges and sustainability aspects of this green infrastructure. The research shows that the community benefits from the presence of PLTMH. Amidst the limitations in electricity, the Baturotok villagers enhance their knowledge and strengthen their socio-cultural networks. That encourages active and consistent participation from the community in the construction and maintenance of PLTMH. However, the coverage of PLTMH has yet to reach all residents of Baturotok Village. Thus, the anticipated improvement in welfare is not significantly visible. Future initiatives should focus on infrastructure development and enhancing the Human Resources of the Baturotok community.

ANALISIS PERENCANAAN PEMBANGKIT LISTRIK TENAGA MIKRO HIDRO (PLTMH) DI DESA NEGERI GUGUNG SIBOLANGIT

The Micro-Hydro Power Plant (PLTMH) is a small-scale hydropower generator with an installed capacity of less than 200 kW. It utilizes the flow of water from irrigation channels, rivers, or natural waterfalls by harnessing the available waterfall height at the construction site. This study focuses on the planning techniques and equipment required for PLTMH located in rural areas such as Negeri Gugung Sibolangit to meet the electricity needs of the residents. The research includes a technical feasibility study by surveying the hydrological potential and the potential falling height (head) at the planned PLTMH development site. Based on the calculations, the electricity demand for the residents of Negeri Gugung Sibolangit during peak load is estimated to be 20 kW. Field surveys indicate that the potential water discharge in the river of Negeri Gugung Sibolangit is approximately 0.95 m3/s, with a planned water discharge in the diversion channel of 0.38 m3/s and a waterfall height of 7.5 meters. This configuration can generate a power of 28 kW, which is sufficient to meet the needs of the local population. Considering the head, planned discharge, and installed capacity, the suitable turbine type is determined to be a cross-flow turbine, and the generator type is identified as a synchronous generator. Based on these parameters, it can be concluded that building a PLTMH in Negeri Gugung Sibolangit is highly feasible.

Optimal Design and Techno-Economic Analysis of a Hybrid System to Supply a Remote Fishpond with Electricity and Heat

This paper deals with the design of a hybrid system for the generation of electricity and heat that will supply a remote fishpond in eastern Serbia. The proposed hybrid system consists of a micro-hydro power plant (MHPP), a photovoltaic (PV) generator, a combined heat and power (CHP) unit with one diesel generator, batteries, a converter, a thermal load controller (TLC), and a boiler. A comprehensive techno-economic analysis is performed in the HOMER Pro software, which evaluated and compared 12 possible configurations with different combinations of system components. The results show that the optimal system has the lowest total net present cost (NPC) and the lowest levelized cost of energy (COE) amounting to 284421.0 $ and 0.178 $/kWh, respectively. Compared to a diesel/batteries/converter/boiler hybrid system, the proposed system produces 65.4 % less greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, while the shares of electricity, heat, and renewable energy generation are increased by 31.1 %, 5.0 %, and 51.2 %, respectively. It is shown that covering the demand for heat by regenerating the waste heat from the diesel generator and excess electricity from renewables contributes to reducing the total cost of the system and the GHG emissions. This finding finally emphasised the necessity of applying TLCs in off-grid hybrid systems.

The Potential of Renewable Energy to Replace Diesel Power Plants in Supporting Energy Transition in Indonesia

The Indonesian government is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions under the Paris Agreement. One form of this commitment is the program to replace diesel power plants with renewable energy plants in the electricity sector. Fossil-based diesel power plant operations have disadvantages, such as relatively expensive generation costs and greenhouse gas emissions. There are three renewable energy technology options as potential substitutes for diesel power plants: a solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant integrated with a battery energy storage system (BESS), a small-scale geothermal power plant, and a micro-hydropower plant. This paper will analyze the prospects of each technology option based on its economic and environmental impact. Various technical parameters, including renewable energy potential and intermittent factors, as well as economic parameters such as investment and generation costs, are important factors for selecting prospective renewable energy generators. The analysis was carried out by calculating the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), CO2 emissions, and oil fuel consumption for four different scenarios. The results of the analysis show that replacing the diesel power plants with micro-hydropower plants can reduce LCOE by 0.24 USD/kWh to 0.12 USD/kWh. The use of a solar PV power plant integrated with a BESS has the most potential to reduce CO2 emissions, which account for 54% of emissions from diesel power plants. Meanwhile, the potential for oil fuel reduction from this program can reach an annual average of 0.85 million kl.

Energy Transition in Urban Water Infrastructures towards Sustainable Cities

The world’s water infrastructures suffer from inefficiencies, such as high energy consumption and water losses due to inadequate management practices and feeble pressure regulation, leading to frequent water and energy losses. This strains vital water and energy resources, especially in the face of the worsening challenges of climate change and population growth. A novel method is presented that integrates micro-hydropower plants, with pumps as turbines (PATs), in the water network in the city of Funchal. Sensitivity analyses evaluated the microgrid’s response to variations in the cost of energy components, showing favorable outcomes with positive net present value (NPV). PV solar and micro-wind turbines installed exclusively at the selected PRV sites within the Funchal hydro grid generate a combined 153 and 55 MWh/year, respectively, supplementing the 406 MWh/year generated by PATs. It should be noted that PATs consistently have the lowest cost of electricity (LCOE), confirming their economic viability and efficiency across different scenarios, even after accounting for reductions in alternative energy sources and grid infrastructure costs.

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.

An Experimental Investigation of Various Control Systems for an Archimedes Screw Turbine in a Micro-Hydropower Plant

The control system for a micro-hydropower plant using an Archimedes screw turbine is the focus of this work. Three control systems were implemented based on a Barreda micro-hydropower plant (Spain) currently in operation: an optimal water level control (OWLC) system, a maximum power point monitoring (MPPT) system, and a water level control (WLC) system. The comparison was made using several assessment indicators: electricity production, micro-hydropower plant efficiency, and gearbox fatigue. The electricity production is similar in the OWLC and MPPT systems (energy gain +0.5%) and significantly lower in the WLC system (energy gain −12%). The efficiency of the micro-hydro plant is similar in the OWLC and MPPT systems (average efficiency gain +0.9%) and significantly lower in the WLC system (average efficiency gain −15%). The mechanical stress on the gearbox is similar in the OWLC and WLC systems and significantly higher in the MPPT system. It can be concluded that the OWLC system performs better as concerns the three assessment indicators used, followed by the MPPT system. The WLC system is not recommended for use, due to its low electricity production and low efficiency of the micro-hydropower plant.

Optimum dynamic dispatch of clean water, methane, electricity and heat considering carbon capture

This paper suggests a novel clean water, natural gas, heat and power generation system using wind turbine generators, PVT panels, bioenergy power plants, micro-hydro power plants, micro-cogeneration units (MCUs), battery energy storage system, thermal energy storage system and plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs). In this system, a power to gas technology consisting of a carbon capture unit, an electrolyzer, a hydrogen storage unit, and a methanation process, is used to supply the natural gas demand using CO2 captured from the MCUs and the hydrogen generated by the clean water electrolyzer. Furthermore, the electricity is consumed by a desalination unit to procure the clean water demand, carbon captured unit (CCU), electrolyzer water inflow, and fill up the water storage tank. At peak clean water demand periods, the excess water is pumped from the storage tank to the consumption side. Demand response program (DRP) is used for levelling the demand. Here, total cost for water-gas-heat-power nexus model throughout the day with and without DRP for three different scenarios is minimized by using quasi-oppositional fast convergence evolutionary programming, fast convergence evolutionary programming, self-organizing hierarchical particle swarm optimizer with time-varying acceleration coefficients and differential evolution. It is seen from numerical results that cost attained with DRP is less than the cost attained without DRP.

Energy indicators of the micro-hydro power plant adjusted to outlet water flows from pump units

The article presents the prospects and main directions of the development of the use of hydropower sources, the parameters of the micro-hydro power plant, which works efficiently in variable and low-pressure water flows from the pumping units, and the results of the experimental studies of the micro-hydro power plant are presented. The developed vertical-axis micro-hydro power plant consists of a propeller-type hydro turbine with a diameter of 0.5 m, a bushing with a diameter of 0.2 m, and 6 blades with an optimal installation angle θopt=202.50°. It was determined that the maximum power of the micro-HPP is 3 kW and efficiency of the micro-HPP is equal to 0.88. Experimental work was carried out on the device, based on processing the results of the experiment, an empirical equation was obtained that determines the change in water flow consumption and turbine rotation speed of the mechanical power of the hydro turbine, and the significance of the regression equations was evaluated using Fisher‘s F-criterion. The significance level is 0.05 and at the number of degrees of freedom γ1 =63, γ2 =59 the calculated value of Fisher‘s F-criterion (Fcal= 1.03) is smaller than the value in the table (Ftab= 1,53), so the constructed regression equation is significant. The relative error of the calculation is ± 6 %. The proposed micro-HPP has the possibility of uninterrupted supply of electricity to electricity consumers in remote areas that are not connected to the centralized electricity supply system.

Matrix of Cross Impact Multiplications Applied to a Classification Model: Sustainable Key Variable of Microhydro Power Plants in The Economics of Smart Society

Matrix of Cross Impact Multiplications Applied to a Classification Model: Sustainable Key Variable of Microhydro Power Plants in The Economics of Smart Society

Modeling of design parameters of a screw turbine for a microhydro power plant

Modeling of design parameters of a screw turbine for a microhydro power plant

How Micro-hydro power plant fit in support of SDG 7?

How Micro-hydro power plant fit in support of SDG 7?

Study of water channels and gates to improve water wheel performance

Glintung Water Street (GWS) in Malang City harnesses water flow in its canal to drive water wheels for electricity generation. However, the discharge of water has not been optimized, necessitating the design of the canal and sluice gate to maximize discharge while mitigating flooding risks. This research aims to determine the optimal design and operational system of the sluice gate to minimize backwater impact. Data collection involved observational techniques and literature review, including hydrology, map, and hydraulic data. Results indicated that the required discharge for the micro-hydro power plant (PLTMH) in the Glintung Water Street (GWS) area was 88 liters or approximately 0.088m3/s. The primary channel's flow rate was measured at 0.104 m3/s, with planned channel inflow at 0.088 m3/s. The sluice gate effectively prevented backwater impact, as water levels did not surpass the sluice height. Planning involved a sluice gate made of mild steel plate (100 cm x 100 cm) with a door height of 200 cm and a thickness of 0.18 cm, operated by a handlebar with a diameter of 2 cm. In conclusion, the backwater effect on the primary channel's water level was minimal, affirming the efficacy of the designed sluice gate.

Optimization of load frequency control using grey wolf optimizer in micro hydro power plants

Micro hydro power plants (MHPP) is one of the renewable energy that can be utilized as a distributed generation with controllable power output. One common issue in MHPP systems is the non-constant rotation of the generator caused by load fluctuations. This instability leads to variable frequencies, which can potentially harm electrical equipment. To address this problem, the volume of water entering through the governor can be adjusted to synchronize the turbine and generator rotation with the load. This approach helps dampen frequency oscillations and ensures that the system operates within desired limits. Therefore, there is a need for technology that can enhance the performance of micro hydro power plant units, specifically load frequency control (LFC). This research proposes the application of the grey wolf optimizer (GWO) algorithm to optimize the PID controller parameters for MHPP LFC. MHPP has been modeled in both isolated and grid-connected modes using Simulink MATLAB R2020a. The best cost function value for an isolated mode system was obtained with ISEim, yielding a value of 0.067653, while for a grid-connected mode system, it was achieved with ISEgm, with a value of 0.015861. The results of the frequency deviation response performance of the LFC using GWO indicate that the fastest settling time was achieved with the cost function ITAEim in isolated mode, and with IAEgm in grid-connected mode. The cost function that produces the smallest peak overshoot and peak undershoot parameter values varied depending on changes in the system load.

Review of Micro Hydro Power Plant (MHPP) as a Solution to Reach Remote Areas of Electricity

A micro hydro power plant (MHPP) is a small-scale power plant that converts the potential energy of the air into mechanical work, turning turbines and generators to generate electrical power. Small scale, which is around 0-100 kW. The construction of a Micro-hydro Power Plant (MHPP) is an alternative supply of electrical energy, especially in rural areas that are not covered by the electricity grid State Power Plant. MHPP has a high potential as an alternative to renewable energy sources. Thus, the reliability of the system built is a must forget quality electricity. In a power plant, what is considered is the stability of the output voltage generated by the generator; this is necessary to keep the consumer's equipment from being damaged. Unstable voltage can also Age-reduce equipment (lifetime) owned by consumers.
 Keywords: Micro Hydro Power Plant 2; Alternative, 3; Electric Power