Pico-hydro Power Generation Research Articles

Design and implementation process of a pico-hydro power generation system for teaching and training

In Mexico the development of remote laboratories is incipient, in 2020 the National Council of Humanities, Sciences, and Technologies (CONAHCYT) created a network of virtual laboratories with nine of its public research centers in order to create a virtual space that enables the development of experimental and research activities in a distance modality. However, access to virtual laboratories is limited only to its members, and the platforms are still under development. With this motivation, this article presents a multi-institutional project for the design, development, and implementation of a pico-hydraulic system for small-scale power generation for teaching and training purposes with the aim of responding to the current need for distance or virtual teaching of practical knowledge due to the coronavirus disease (COVID‑19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. For the development of the system, technological innovation tools (QFD, TRIZ) were used, with which the design requirements were obtained considering the users (students and teachers) and the renewable energy-related competence of the curricula. Finally, the satisfaction of the users (students and teachers) with the use of the designed system shows the advantage of including it as part of the practical activities of the subjects to improve the development of power generation, transformation, and transmission system projects.

Experimental Study on the Effects of Turbine Blades Types on the Performance of Centrifugal Pump as Pico-Hydropower Generation

Turbines are rotary mechanical devices used to extract energy from rivers with waterfall and convert them into electricity for rural areas. However, many small turbines installed in rural areas are expensive and dependent on the types of blades to provide the required energy. Therefore, this study aims to determine the effects of backward, inclined, and forward blades of turbines on the centrifugal pump's performance as pico-hydro power. This study was carried out in Riau Province due to the low flow of water, with varying turbine blades for small-scale hydropower generation. Rust-resistant and lightweight materials were selected for the manufacture of the turbine and to keep it from damaging. The turbine was tested in a laboratory to determine the characteristics and maximum power output from rivers and waterfall. The result showed that the turbine produces a maximum electrical power of approximately 1000 Watts using the backward blades due to its ability to support and save water resources.

Determining the Right Nozzle Diameter Size and Their Effect on the Performance of Picohydro Technology

New energy and renewable energy are solutions that can be applied to meet energy needs, especially those that are environmentally friendly. Currently, people, especially those living around energy sources such as rivers and irrigation, can independently create renewable power systems to produce energy. The application of picohydro power generation technology is the best solution in the application of environmentally friendly, independent, and renewable technologies. The purpose of this study was to determine the best performance of the nozzle output diameter of 3", 4", and 5" on picohydro technology using an Archimedes screw turbine. The research method was carried out by means of a prototype experiment using continuously circulated water fluid. The data collection process starts from the water discharge from the flowmeter, the rotation of the turbine blade, the rotation of the transmission, the rotation of the alternator, the pressure in the pressure gauge, and the power generated. The research results obtained information that at the smallest diameter (3") the nozzle pressure to the screw tip is not optimal because the water released by the nozzle only hits part of the screw leaf side, so that the performance is not optimal where the turbine shaft rotation at a maximum discharge of 30 m3/h is obtained at 230 rpm, while if the diameter of the output nozzle is given (5"), a lot of water is sprayed by the nozzle and it fills the screw leaves, which causes water to also overflow onto the screw in front of it, so that the flow does not normally flow from each screw, and it is also possible that the size of the input screw is not proportional to the output screw turbine, where the maximum rotation at a discharge of 30 m3/h is obtained at 247 rpm. For the size (4") it looks higher when viewed from the data obtained, this condition looks ideal in the size ratio between the input and output nozzles so that the resulting flow is also right to drive the turbine screw. The shaft rotation results obtained are 269 rpm for a water discharge of 30 m3/h.

A Resilient FLL Control for Solar-Hydro Generation Based Utility Interactive Microgrid With Enhanced Power Quality

This article focuses on the control based on an extended second-order generalized integrator with a frequency locked loop (Ext-SOGI-FLL) to provide satisfactory performance for synchronization of microgrid (MG). In the existing phase-locked loop (PLL) based control, the loop filter used is not capable to entirely remove harmonics. Hence, the harmonics in voltage considerably affect the frequency as well as phase extraction, both in the dynamics and steady-state situations. To deal with this problem in this system, the voltage source converter is controlled using Ext-SOGI-FLL. This control algorithm extracts the fundamental voltage and current for assessment of phase angle and reference source current (maintaining the required IEEE power quality standard-519 & 1547). This FLL-based control is also capable of estimating the exact frequency and phase magnitude, which suffer from phase offset due to frequency change. The comparative results validate that the response of Ext-SOGI-FLL control in comparison to the existing control algorithms is faster at loads and generation perturbations. Simulated and test results for MG system combining a solar photovoltaic, pico-hydropower generation, and battery validate its performance while feeding local loads uninterruptedly.

Application of the cascade system to increase the capacity of a pico-hydro power generation

The Pico-hydro power generation is a power plant with a scale below 5 kW. This type of power generation is suitable for areas with streams or rivers with low water levels. One area that has natural conditions like this is the Javan Langur Centre (JLC), a rehabilitation facility for one of the endangered primate species, the langur. To support the operation of JLC, a pico-hydro power plant has been built, which has a capacity of 300 watts. However, due to the water discharge is quite low, the efficiency of the generator is less than 10%, of which, the total output power from the pico-hydro generator is about 27,3 watts. While the electrical energy requirements in JLC is around 50 watts for lighting. To meet the shortage of electricity supply, it is necessary to increase the power generated by the existing pico-hydro power plant, i.e. by applying a cascade system. This system utilizes water from the existing pico-hydro power plant drainage channel as the intake flow for the new pico-hydro power plant. This system also utilizes differences in elevation or water level to make the terraces. With the application of the cascade pico-hydro system, the electrical power requirements at JLC can be met.

Small scale hybrid power generation for remote area electrification

Javan Langur Centre (JLC) is a facility dedicated to the treatment of langur, an endangered primate species. To support the maintenance and rehabilitation activities, the need for electrical energy is a vital. In this facility, electrical energy is needed for lighting and baby primate’s incubator with a total power of around 120 watts. There is no electricity grid included in this area and the supply of electrical energy is still very dependent on the gen-set owned by the residents which is located approximately 2 km from JLC, making it less efficient. In terms of natural energy resources, JLC has the availability of water sources that originate from small streams making it possible to develop pico-hydro technology. There has been built a pico-hydro power generation with a potential electric power that can be generated approximately 300 watts. However, the water discharge of the river stream in that area is quite low, around 0.00035 m3/s, that makes the efficiency of the power generation is 10% only. In other words, the actual electrical power that can be generated is around 30 watts. So as to meet the electrical power needs at JLC, another electrical energy source is needed. One alternative is to install solar cells or photo voltaic (PV) with a capacity of 100 watts peak. The output power of these two energy sources can be combined and regulated by applying Hybrid Power Generation technology. With the application of this technology, the need for electrical energy in the JLC area can be met.

Control Topologies for 3-Phase SEIG used in Small Hydro Power Plant Feeding Isolated Domestic Load in Remote Mountainous Region

Objectives: This paper is to highlight the various control topologies used in 3-phase Self-Excited Induction Generator (SEIG) used in pico-hydro power generation system feeding isolated load. Methods/Statistical Analysis: The various topologies of these controllers which are also known as Electronic Load Controllers (ELC) include conventional as well as STATCOM based controllers using various power electronics devices for power system parameters regulations and power quality control. The Self-excited induction generators are most suitable for pico and micro hydro power generation systems feeding isolated load due to their advantages over conventional synchronous generators. Findings: In isolated mode of operation of self-excited induction generators, a suitable control is necessary to maintain the voltage & frequency of the generated output within permissible limits under varying loading conditions. This is achieved by using an Electronic Load Controller (ELC) and dump load in the system. The main aim of the control strategy is to control the voltage output of SEIG and to maintain the desired frequency of the generated output. These electronic load controllers regulate the dump load in the system so that total load seen by SEIG remains constant under varying consumer load conditions and thus maintaining the frequency of the system. From the analysis of various types of these controllers, it is found that simplest of the electronic load controller is conventional diode rectifier based ELC. However, it suffers with the problems of harmonics in the circuit. Modern ELCs use voltage source converters along with different transformer configurations for better power quality control and better voltage and frequency regulations under different operating conditions. Improvements: Fast computational capabilities of DSP are also used to control the STATCOM switches and chopper circuit in ELC for better and fast control. The use of different transformer configurations such as star-delta and zigzag type provide neutral path for 3-phase, 4-wire system apart from eliminating the 3rd harmonics in the system.

Effect of channel geometry on the performance of the Dethridge water wheel

Dethridge water wheel is a simple hydraulic machine originally invented for measuring volume of flow supplied to the farms. The wheel has been in widespread use for more than a century for the application of water charges in irrigated farmlands. The Dethridge water wheel resembles distinct characteristics making it a suitable device for utilising very low-head sites within irrigation canals, small streams and at the outlets of the waste water treatment plants for pico-hydropower generation. In this paper, performance characteristics of the Dethridge water wheel model is studied in different channel geometry settings. Different wheel to channel width ratios and gradual transition shapes were tested. The wheel performance improves in the channel width that is two to three times greater than the wheel width. The gradual transition shape has however insignificant impact on the performance of the wheel.

Modification and performance evaluation of pico-hydro power generation unit

The pelton turbine was developed at College of Agril. Engineering and Technology, Dapoli. It was connected to permanent magnet direct current motor acting as generator by using belt and pulley arrangement. The developed pico hydro electric generator was used to generate electricity from 1 lps discharge and 1 m head. It was found working satisfactory with development of 42 W power.

Design and development of pelton wheel for pico-hydro power generation unit

Design and development of pelton wheel for pico-hydro power generation unit

Experimental Evaluation of Performance of Constant Power Prime-Mover Driven Isolated 3-φ SEIG for Pico-Hydro Power Generation System in Remote Mountainous Region of Himalayas

This paper presents the experimental evaluation of the performance of 3-φ self-excited induction generator (SEIG) suitable for pico-hydro power generation system feeding domestic load in remote mountainous region. The use of induction generators is most suitable for renewable energy conversion systems due to their enormous advantages over conventional synchronous generators. Important features of induction generators include the simplicity in construction, ruggedness, simplified control, ease in maintenance and small size per generated kW. The performance characteristics of 3-φ SEIG feeding isolated load are evaluated using MATLAB-Simulink model based on the prevalent renewable energy sources inputs and loading conditions in mountainous terrain of Himalayas. The results are validated using an experimental set-up comprising of 3-φ, 3 HP induction motor run as 3- φ induction generator driven by 5HP, 4-pole DC shunt motor acting as prime-mover.

Design and 3D printing of controllable-pitch archimedean screw for pico-hydropower generation

Renewable energy has attracted considerable attention because the energy problem has become a worldwide issue. The development of pico-hydropower generation, as a component of distributed generation, has been a subject of concern. In particular, the Archimedean screw generator (ASG) has more benefits, such as low cost, easy maintenance, and fish-friendly characteristic, compared with other types of hydro turbine. Despite these advantages, no appropriate design theory of ASG and Controllable-pitch Archimedean screw (CPAS) exists. Hence, a design theory of ASG and CPAS was theoretically investigated and designed in this study. CPAS was designed for a small-scale hydro-power generation system. With a 3D printer, fused deposition modeling was used to fabricate the blade of CPAS with polylactic acid and epoxy surface coating. A performance evaluation was conducted and analyzed. Results indicate a similar trend with the proposed theory. The power generation was 123 W and efficiency was 71% in 0.04 m3/s.

Stand-Alone Pico-Hydro Generation System using a High-Efficiency IPM Synchronous Generator

Abstract – This paper presents a successful stand-alone pico-hydro generation system using a high-efficiency interior permanent-magnet (IPM) synchronous generator. A 1-kW 4-pole V-type IPM generator with low voltage regulation is used for laboratory test in stand-alone hydro energy conversion system. It has been found from experimental results that the constant output voltage is supplied stably by the proposed system under wide speed range. Keywords : Hydro g eneration system, IPM generator, Automatic voltage regulation 1. Introduction Recently, global warming has become an important problem. In Japan, there has been a power-shortage problem because of the shutdown of the nuclear power reaction by the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011. In such situation, the territorially distributed energy generation using wind or water power attracts attention. The development of permanent-magnet (PM) synchronous generators has progressed rapidly due in part to emergence of the high energy rare-earth magnets like neodymium-iron-boron (Nd-Fe-B) and many designs of PM rotors have been presented in recent years [1]-[6]. However, rare-earth materials such as neodymium and dysprosium are expensive and depend on China for 90% or more of the world share [7]. Therefore, the research for the substitution of Nd-Fe-B to Ferrite magnets has been reported [8]. However, it is considered that the downsizing of the generator needs the high energy rare-earth magnets in stand-alone small power generation system still now. Small wind or water power generation systems have been presented in recent years, for example, [9]-[12]. This paper presents a successful automatic voltage regulation of high-efficiency IPM synchronous generators for stand-alone pico-hydro power generation system. A 1-kW 4-pole V-type IPM generator with low voltage regulation [13] is used for laboratory test in hydro energy conversion system.

Decoupled Solid State Controller for Asynchronous Generator in Pico-hydro Power Generation

This paper deals with a decoupled solid state controller (DSSC) for an isolated asynchronous generator (IAG), used in constant power pico-hydro power generation for feeding three-phase four-wire loads. The proposed DSSC is used to control the voltage and frequency of the IAG in the decoupled manner. This DSSC is a combination of a voltage regulator (VR) for regulating the voltage and a conventional electronic load controller (ELC) for controlling the active power to regulate the frequency. The VR is realized using a zigzag/three-single-phase transformer and six-leg insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs)-based current controlled voltage source converter (VSC) with a capacitor on its DC bus and an ELC is a combination of a three-phase diode bridge rectifier with a chopper switch and an auxiliary load. The proposed DSSC with an isolated generating system is modeled and simulated in MATLAB along with Simulink and power system blockset (PSB) toolboxes. The simulated results of the IAG-DSSC system are presented to demonstrate its performance for feeding three-phase four-wire linear/nonlinear (balanced/unbalanced) loads with the neutral current compensation.

Power Quality Improvement in Conventional Electronic Load Controller for an Isolated Power Generation

<para xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> This paper deals with the power quality improvement in a conventional electronic load controller (ELC) used for isolated pico-hydropower generation based on an asynchronous generator (AG). The conventional ELC is based on a six-pulse uncontrolled diode bridge rectifier with a chopper and an auxiliary load. It causes harmonic currents injection resulting distortion in the current and terminal voltage of the generator. The proposed ELC employs a 24-pulse rectifier with 14 diodes and a chopper. A polygon wound autotransformer with reduced kilovolts ampere rating for 24-pulse ac–dc converter is designed and developed for harmonic current reduction to meet the power quality requirements as prescribed by IEEE standard-519. The comparative study of two topologies, conventional ELC (six-pulse bridge-rectifier-based ELC) and proposed ELC (24-pulse bridge-rectifier-based ELC) is carried out in MATLAB using SIMULINK and Power System Blockset toolboxes. Experimental validation is carried out for both ELCs for regulating the voltage and frequency of an isolated AG driven by uncontrolled pico-hydroturbine. </para>

Analysis and Design of Electronic Load Controller for Self-Excited Induction Generators

This paper presents an analysis and design of an electronic load controller (ELC) for three-phase self-excited induction generators (SEIGs) suitable for stand-alone pico-hydro power generation with constant input power. Here, the SEIG can be used to generate constant voltage and frequency if the electrical load is maintained constant at its terminals. Moreover, under such operation, SEIG requires constant capacitance for excitation resulting in a fixed-point operation. For this purpose, a suitable control scheme has to be developed such that the load on the SEIG remains constant despite change in the consumer load. In such applications, water is freely available and, hence, a simple and cheap controller has to be developed, which can operate almost unattended in remote and hilly regions. The proposed ELC consists of an uncontrolled rectifier and chopper with a series load. Proper design of rectifier, chopper, and dump load is very important for troublefree operation of ELC. In this paper, an analysis along with a design procedure for computing the rating of various components of ELC is presented for a range of SEIGs.