Small Hydroelectric Power Plants Research Articles

Analysis of hydraulic losses in the series from 1990 to 2022 at the Retiro small hydroelectric power plant

Hydraulic losses are a crucial variable in hydroelectric ventures as they can cause significant reductions in power generation. This article analyses the impact of hydraulic losses on the Retiro Small Hydroelectric Power Plant (SHPP), investigating their effect on monthly average power and, consequently, the efficiency of electricity generation. This study examines the historical series of load losses at the Retiro SHPP from 1990 to 2022. The calculations are based on flow data available in HidroWeb. The study considered the maximum and minimum flow rates in the historical flow series as constraints for hydropower generation. We used a multivariable function to calculate the efficiency of the hydraulic turbine, relating the turbine flow rate and the net water head. We developed mathematical relationships for head losses that occur in the grid, at the water intake, and due to friction from the intake to the turbine of the Retiro SHPP. The article presents a comparison between the actual monthly average power of the Small Hydroelectric Power Plant (SHPP) and the simulated monthly average power. We normalized the data for turbine flow and load loss to conduct statistical analysis. Kernel probability density was applied to understand the distribution shape of the data. Findings show that average monthly capacity is lowest in September, at approximately 0.81 MW. In March, the highest power occurs, approximately 14.19 MW. During the high flow period, the simulated average power, which accounts for load losses, closely matched the actual average power generated at the Retiro SHPP. In the months from July to October, despite being the period with the lowest head losses, it is the time when there is a greater opportunity to maximize energy generation at the power plant. An inefficient power generation system experiences significant load losses during specific periods of the year. To minimize this effect, it is crucial to understand the behavior of hydraulic losses and consider implementing mitigating measures.

Exploring the capacity and economic viability of green hydrogen production by utilising surplus energy from wind farms and small hydropower plants in Southern Brazil

This study seeks to estimate the potential hydrogen production from the remaining energy in the small hydropower plants (SHPs). SHPs are plants with a reservoir of three-square miles and an installed capacity between 1 and 30 MW and wind plants in the south of Brazil. Subsequently, to evaluate the generation of chemical and electrical energy and the amount of stored hydrogen and to determine possible applications in the transport sector and its injection into the natural gas network of the regional mesh. Moreover, scenarios 1 and 2 represented 5% and 3% of the surplus power for hydrogen production. The results indicated that green hydrogen production from the remaining energy in the small hydroelectric and wind power plants proved viable. There was an average potential of 5.95 MNm3/day in SHPs and 7.66 MNm3/day in wind farms. Furthermore, the wind farms could generate an average of 16,000 MWh/day through H2 production, while the SHPs have the potential to produce an average of 9340 MWh/day. Further, the proposed scenarios were economically viable since the profit estimated ranged from 27.13 to 617.92 U$/kg in wind farms and from 162.87 to 342.42 U$/kg in SHPs.

Balancing renewable energy and river conservation: effects of hydropeaking from small hydroelectric power plants on fish stranding in small Brazilian rivers

Balancing renewable energy and river conservation: effects of hydropeaking from small hydroelectric power plants on fish stranding in small Brazilian rivers

Development of renewable energy in Russia: Challenges and opportunities

Subject. This article discusses the issues of climate change and environmental aspects of the development of the Russian regions' economy. Objectives. The article aims to assess the importance of green energy in ensuring economic advance and analyze the specific risks for the economy associated with the active use of renewable energy sources. Methods. For the study, we used a comparative analysis. Results. The article finds that solar, wind and small hydroelectric power plants are extremely unevenly distributed across the federal districts of Russia. Renewable energy generation facilities are the most cost-effective at the local level and have a positive impact on the environment. Conclusions. The activities of Russian regions in the introduction of renewable energy sources should be recognized as insufficient for the implementation of the concept of sustainable development.

Optimal selection of parallel pumps running as turbines for energy harvesting in water transmission lines considering economic parameters

The need for energy is growing due to concerns about development and well-being, but the traditional methods of energy production harm people and the environment. This impact can be reduced by using renewable energy sources like hydropower. Since the cost of electromechanical equipment in small hydroelectric power plants accounts for a large percentage of the capital cost, applying the pump as turbine (PAT) is recommended. In this research, an effort has been made to select the optimal arrangement of PATs for a water transmission line without the need for control systems. The selection optimization process involves selecting the model of the pump as turbine and the number of turbines in parallel simultaneously. The optimization process relies on economic parameters, aiming to maximize the Net Present Value (NPV) of the power plant. In addition, the financial analysis of the project has been carried out. As a first step to achieve this objective, a database including single and double-suction pumps based on available pumps is needed. To cover a wider range of heads and flow rates, impeller trimming relationships for the pumps are considered. The Brute-Force algorithm has been used for the optimization process and two different objective functions (OF) have been investigated. First, it is based on economic optimization, and the NPV function is used as the OF; then, the Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) method is used as the second OF. The case study of this research is a water transmission line between two cities in Iran. A MATLAB code has been developed to perform all the steps of this study. The results demonstrate that by considering impeller trimming for pumps in the database and using NPV as OF, the number of pumps used for the power plant decreased from 12 to 6 and the capital cost decreased by about 10%. By implementing impeller trimming, the NPV and energy production of the PAT power plant are increased. Comparing the two desired objective functions leads to the recommended appropriate OF for applications. It is worth mentioning that the harvested energy from this water transmission line is about 9 GWh/year. The economic analysis results show that the PAT power plant payback period (PP) for this water transmission line is less than one year.

Small Hydroelectric Power Plant Site Selection for Hydroelectric Energy Production with Geographic Information System: Sivas Kızılırmak Basin Example

Bu çalışmada, Coğrafi Bilgi Sistemi (CBS) tabanlı model yöntemi kullanılarak Kızılırmak Havzası'nda teorik olarak belirlenen mini hidroelektrik santrallerinin (MHES) lokasyonları tespit edilmiştir. Çalışma sonucunda, incelenen havzada kurulu güç potansiyeline göre 100-150 kWh arasında 151, 150-200 kWh arasında 19 ve 200-300 kWh arasında 13 yer tespit edildi. MHES potansiyelinin en yüksek olduğu noktaların Kızılırmak nehrinin ana kolu üzerinde yer aldığı tespit edilmiştir. Bu çalışma, bu havza içerisinde teorik olarak hesaplanabilecek hidroelektrik potansiyelini destekler nitelikte bir çalışmadır. Bu çalışma ile belirlenmiş enerji potansiyeli tahminleri, enerji kaynaklarının değerlendirilmesine yönelik daha fazla araştırma yapılmasını gerektirecek kadar önemlidir.

DETERMINATION OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ELECTROMECHANICAL EQUIPMENT OF THE MICRO HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANT AT THE GUEENI SITE ON THE KOKOULO RIVER

When setting up a small hydroelectric power plant in isolated sites, the choice of electromechanical equipment remains a very important factor. This study is part of this dynamic. Its main objective is the determination of characteristics and the choice of electromechanical equipment for the micro hydroelectric power plant at the Gueeni site on the Kokoulo River in Pita in Guinea, with a variable hydrological regime. The methodology adopted is based on knowledge of the hydraulic parameters and the hydroenergetic characteristics of the site (hydraulic power, net power). Based on these elements, we determined with great precision; the type of turbine (Kaplan), with a rotation speed (586.58 rpm); the specific speed (47 rpm); the number of generator poles (10); the electrical power of the plant (2160 kW), the apparent power of the transformer (2700 kVA) and valve closing time (1.1 s). This study is part of the dynamic of evaluating the hydroenergetic potential of small developable waterfalls in isolated areas of Guinea

Calculation of the water flow rate of Micro HPP depending on the water fall angle in ideal cases

The paper describes the technology for generating electrical energy in small hydroelectric power plants, in the absence of a natural descent of water flows. It is known that the main parameter for obtaining electrical energy is the water flow, which includes the speed of the water. Along with this, the paper theoretically considers the calculation of the resulting velocities of water flows in small hydropower structures. The calculations took into account the ideal, natural and real model of the process of increasing the efficiency in the hydraulic system when using artificial reservoirs with a dam. At the same time, the pattern of modeling various vectors from the initial flow, a term with the potential energy of the accumulated total mass in the cavity of the hydropower structure itself, was considered. This ensured growth and increase in modulus and in other parameters of the vector and force characteristics of the flow, leading to an increase in the overall efficiency of the complete structure. And this already led to an increase in the generation of electrical energy in the installation itself, which has a direct dependence on the momentum and on the flow rate. In conclusion, an output expression is given for calculating the resulting velocity in the system. It is concluded that the construction of the proposed hydropower structures increases the efficiency of hydroelectric power generation.

ЭЛЕКТРОСНАБЖЕНИЕ РЕСПУБЛИКИ ДАГЕСТАН: ОТ КОЛЛАПСА К БЕЗАВАРИЙНОСТИ И НАДЕЖНОСТИ

The article examines the regional problems of electricity supply. The role of the electric power industry in the socio-economic development of the country is noted. Global trends in the production and consumption of electric power are highlighted. Dagestan, before market transformations, fully provided itself with the energy produced in the republic, and over the past twenty years, electricity consumption has doubled, but its production has not increased, and moreover, in some years there has even been a decrease. The reasons for the sharp increase in electricity consumption by the population of the republic are the increase in living standards, housing construction in cities and the development of the shadow economy, especially mining activities. But the main problem in the article is not so much the shortage of energy itself, as the wear and tear of the grid complex. The wear rate of the networks is more than 20%. The loss of electricity in the networks exceeds 75% of the power consumption. The article emphasizes that without attracting large investments from the federal center, the reconstruction of the energy grid system is impossible. In parallel, the directions of development of distributed energy are highlighted: the construction of small hydroelectric power plants on mountain rivers, geothermal, solar and wind power plants. All this is aimed at ensuring trouble-free reliable electricity supply to the population.

Development of Small Hydroelectric Power Plant Maintenance Costs using Chaos Embedded Adaptive Particle Swarm Optimization

In this study, a new equation model is proposed to improve the maintenance costs of Small Scale Hydroelectric Power Plants (SHPP). The proposed equation model consists of 4 terms and 7 parameters using the Chaos Embedded Adaptive Particle Swarm Optimization (CEAPSO). The MATLAB program was used to calculate the parameters in the proposed equation model. In this study, the main error value for 14 maintenance items required for a SHPP is calculated as 17.4819%. The maintenance cost of a SHPP to be installed in this way can be predicted with high accuracy using the proposed equation model. In the study, the sensitivity analysis of the proposed equation model is also performed, and maintenance cost changes are expressed in different parameter values. In the study, corrected data from 8 SHPP in India are used. These data cover the maintenance costs of all components for the years 2015-2016. In the study, unlike the literature, the flow parameter is added to the power and head parameters. In this way, a more sensitive equation model is developed for SHPP data. In addition, realistic results are obtained by applying constraints to the parameters. Considering the 14 different maintenance cost parameters examined in the study, a correlation model is proposed to give better results than the literature for other maintenance costs except the power channel and penstock cost.

Intelligent decision-making support system for the commissioning of a small hydroelectric power plant in the Republic of Tyva

This paper investigates the cutting forces arising when using a single abrasive grain. Analytical studies were carried out using a model of a single abrasive grain in the form of a rod with a radiused apex acting on the workpiece material. The slip-line method (method of characteristics) was used to calculate the deformation intensity of a plastically edged workpiece material under the action of a single grain. Mathematical models were developed for the following factors: plastic deformation of the material, edging of the stagnated zone and its friction against the grain surface when moved upwards in the form of chippings, grain friction against the plastically deformed material, and the action of the dynamic component of plastic deformation. The significance of the dynamic component in the overall balance of forces related to plastic deformation was established by determining the ratio of dynamic stress on the break line and shear yield point. This dependence calculated for D16T and 30HGSA materials showed the feasibility of accounting for the dynamic component system based on a small hydropower station located in the Todzhinsky district of the Republic of Tyva. For an adequate assessment of the operational reliability of hydropower units, a logical and probabilistic method based on the kinetic theory of fault tree was used. The method allows the failures of the used equipment, as well as unplanned shutdowns of units due to a shortage of water resources in the Great Yenisey (low water, overdrying, and frozen frost), to be taken into account. The development of a generation system based on a small hydroelectric power plant for the settlements in the Todzhinsky district of the Republic of Tyva offers a load of up to 2,500 kW, which helps to reduce the cost of purchasing, delivering, and storing diesel fuel, while diesel generators can be used as backup power sources. 3 scenarios of structuring a small hydroelectric power plant were considered that involved various numbers and total capacity of hydrogenating units: 5x500 kW, 4x630 kW, and 3x800 kW. Therefore, by using the multi-criteria optimization method, the optimal structure of the generating system based on a small hydroelectric power plant having three hydroelectric units (each characterized by a capacity of 800 kW) was selected from the three proposed options, taking into account the reliability and uncertainty of the initial information.

Physical modeling applied to the calibration of the Manning's coefficient for simulations of sedimentation in reservoirs

When reservoirs are built, they are subject to some degree of sedimentation. This happens because the increase in wetted area reduces the flow velocity. As a result, the sustaining forces of sediments are diminished. One mechanism to assess reservoir sedimentation is through physical models, which provide data for numerical models. One of the parameters that needs to be input into the numerical model is the Manning coefficient. Thus, the aim of this study was to calibrate the Manning coefficient for a reservoir. For this purpose, a reduced model of a Small Hydroelectric Power Plant (SHP) was utilized. Manning values were set in the HEC-RAS software, and flow depths were simulated. These were then compared with those obtained from the reduced model. The best value found for the Manning coefficient was 0.01. This value allowed for depths measured in the reduced model to closely match those simulated in HEC-RAS. Furthermore, the flow exhibited the same behavior in both real and simulated cases.

Energy Generation by Advanced Various Renewable Technology

Aim of this project is to production of electric energy using variable renewable technology, which is to be provided for the daily purpose. About 50% of the electricity used in India is generated by thermal power plants, which release a lot of toxic pollutants into the air and have a lot of negative environmental effects. Due to the high demand for electricity and the rising costs of coal and fuels, it has recently been noticed that there is an electricity crisis or shortage in India and other nations following the pandemic era. Since India is a nation that is constantly developing, there is a rising need for electricity. After all, coal is a type of fossil fuel whose supply will eventually run out, necessitating a shift to renewable technology. Over the road dividers, a vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT) is being installed. As the car moves along the road, wind turbulence becomes trapped in the VAWT's blades, causing them to rotate and produce electricity. Additionally, we mount the solar panel over the VAWT, which generates electricity as well. When we apply this concept, a small hydroelectric power plant is built if there are nearby water bodies, such as ponds, rivers, dams, and water treatment facilities. A large amount of electricity can be generated by combining three renewable energy sources. It helps you reduce pollution in the atmosphere, earn carbon credits, and make energy generation economical. In our study, we found that about 0.5–1 KW of electricity can be generated in an hour, depending on the availability of wind turbulence and light intensity. This technology is capable of supplying electricity to one home

A Proposal And Its Application On The Type-2 Fuzzy Mamdani's Method For The Selection Classification Of The Private Small Hydropower Plant Investments In The Very Early Investment Stages In Turkey

The private small hydroelectric power plant investments (PSHPPIs) differ very much from the other types of the private hydropower plant investments. In most cases, it will be more appropriate for the private electricity generation investors to analyze the alternatives by help of the models proposed only for the PSHPPIs based on the PSHPPIs' own characteristics. This paper pro-poses an online Type-2 Mamdani's fuzzy inference method by help of a Java-based library: Juzzy toolkit, for the selection of the PSHPPIs in the very early investment stages in Turkey. The real-life PSHPPIs' applications have shown that there isn't any clear, detailed, and sharp data and information in the very early investment stages. It is believed that a sophisticated and developed version of this proposed method will help the private investors to take more convenient actions and to make more satisfying decisions in a very short evaluation period in their PSHPPIs processes.

Preliminary investment project for small hydroelectric power plants considering the turbine cost in the sizing of rated flow

Preliminary investment project for small hydroelectric power plants considering the turbine cost in the sizing of rated flow

Renewable energy sources for backup energy supply of small wastewater plants and individual households

These researches concern the use of renewable sources of electricity during emergency shutdowns for uninterrupted operation of water management systems. The ability to purify drinking water during a power outage requires a backup power source. A mobile power plant, which is usually used as a backup power source during blackouts and emergencies, is known to cause environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The use of wind energy for these purposes requires the location of wind stations next to small treatment plants and households in order to quickly switch to autonomous mode, which does not always meet the territorial requirements and wind resources of the region. Open areas for the location of solar panels make the use of this type of renewable sources as a reserve in the conditions of military operations in Ukraine not quite suitable. On the basis of foreign experience in the use of small hydroelectric power plants (MHPs) and with different layouts of their location when working at sewage treatment plants, four possible options for providing electricity to sewage treatment plants and households during a blackout are proposed for the conditions of Ukraine. The option of the location of the MHP, which uses the energy of water transported through pipelines and which has successfully proven itself at operating treatment plants, is considered. Variants of using the pressure of an artesian well are proposed: MHP located in a vertical well that supplies artesian water under pressure; when an active artesian well supplies water under natural pressure at a constant flow rate to an above-ground (or underground) tank that simultaneously supplies normal household needs and a connected turbine-powered alternator. In addition, an option for the location of the MHPS was considered for the treatment and further use of rainwater sewage, including for the use of rainwater collected from "green roofs" in a tank-reservoir. The peculiarities of using this scheme are that it is easy to combine it with the case of using energy obtained from artesian wells. The proposed technological solutions allow for significant energy savings, including in places where high-quality water supply from artesian wells is possible, depending on the hydrogeological conditions of the area.

Development and testing of a laboratory model of a two-turbine small hydroelectric power plant

This article considers the main methods of regulating water consumption and power of micro hydroelectric power plants. New technical solutions for screw jet turbines adapted to low pressures and water flow rates are proposed. The Archimede’s screw turbine is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly microhydropower technology that operates at high efficiency at low pressure and medium flow rates. In this case, the change in power depends on the following parameters: the number of blades, water flow, the angle of inclination of the blades and the height of the pressure. Preliminary calculations carried out by the authors show that the power of a microhydroelectric power station depends on individual factors of the area. With an increase in the speed of the water flow, the speed of the water wheel also increases, and in turn, the electric power of the microhydroelectric power station increases.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR CONTROL SMALL HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS

The problem of providing cheap electricity to both industrial enterprises and settlements has been and remains very relevant. More than 1 million people live in decentralized power supply zones. This is especially important for the remote areas of southern Kazakhstan, where there is no developed power transmission network, and the population receives electricity for 3-4 hours a day from a diesel-electric power station (DPP). The construction of small hydroelectric power plants (SHPPs) can change the living conditions of these people, ensure the energy security of the regions and contribute to the development of the economy. At present, when solving problems related to the reconstruction and construction of new small hydropower plants, it is necessary to apply inexpensive and effective solutions for automation and remote control of power plants without the constant presence of maintenance personnel. To effectively control and protect SHPs, a relatively large amount of functionality must be provided compared to larger power plants. A standardized intelligent electronic device (IED) can provide autonomous operation and prioritize safe water management. The IED shall be compact and integrated with the control of electrical and mechanical elements, including the water supply, communication, monitoring and protection system for small hydro power plants.

Analysis of damage origin of bevel gear wheels

The safety and smooth operation of manufacturing facilities also depends on ensuring the failure-free operation of technical equipment. Power transmission failures in particular are usually the cause of shutdown of the entire manufacturing facility. The characterization of gear failures according to their origin plays an important role in determining safe operating conditions. The presented paper is dedicated to the problem of damage of specific gears, defining the extent of damage, determining the possible causes of damage. The problem is solved for a single-stage helical bevel gearbox with, which is a part of the mechanism of a small hydroelectric power plant. The aim is to determine the conditions for proper operation, based on the evaluation of the extent of damage to this gearbox, so that the gearbox is no longer damaged to such a large extent.

Метод оценки теоретических характеристик малых осевых гидротурбин

Energy supply to remote areas remains a technical and social challenge. Construction of transmission lines to provide electricity to such areas is expensive and not always possible. One of the promising areas in this area is local energy generation based on local resources, in particular small watercourses, using small hydroelectric power plants. Small hydroelectric power plants are small hydropower facilities that use the energy of small watercourses to generate electricity. They have a number of advantages over traditional energy sources, such as environmental friendliness, low operating costs and high efficiency. However, the widespread introduction of small hydroelectric power plants is hampered by the lack of mass production of small hydraulic turbines and difficulties in designing low-power plants. Designing hydraulic turbines is a complex task that requires solving the inverse problem of hydrodynamics and finding the optimal shape of the flow path. To simplify the design of hydraulic turbines in the modern world, specialized software is used using various methods, including flow analysis, energy loss and blade shape optimization. This article based on an analysis of existing methods for designing and using a mathematical model of a hydraulic turbine with simplified blades, proposes a method for designing and analyzing the theoretical characteristics of the resulting hydraulic turbine. In conclusion, taking into account the use of the methodology for designing a hydraulic turbine for given parameters, its assessment is given, as well as ways to possibly improve the accuracy of the results obtained. Possible areas of application of the outlined design methodology are indicated.