DEVELOPMENT OF STANDARD SIZES OF MICRO HYDRO TURBINES

Abstract

In remote area the demand of electricity has become a priority, especially for lighting rather than luxury. Similarly mechanical power is needed for the normal tasks such as milling and expelling etc to improve the productivity. Consequently, more appropriate and, modern energy systems are needed to meet this ever-increasing demand in remote and under developed hilly areas. Under small hydropower, micro hydro having plant capacity upto 100 kW is considered to be an appropriate resource for meeting the energy needs for people. The problem associated with micro hydropower exploitation is primarily of economy. In this range the use of conventionally available turbines are very costly, as. these are not commercially available. There is a need to develop a cost-effective design of the turbines. The literature survey reveals that there is a lot of potential exists in lower capacity range upto 20 kW where there is a need of standardization of turbines because of high cost of these turbines. Various types of turbines suitable for micro hydro are discussed and it has been found that for lower capacity in the micro hydro range there is lack of standardization in turbines. Under the present study various types of turbines suitable for micro hydro are discussed. Efforts have been made to process the site data available in the literature. Based on the processed data, sites are categorized depending upon the head and power. Further selection of turbines has been presented in order to select a suitable turbine for a given site. An attempt has been made for standardization of turbine sizes for a range of capacity upto 20kW and head upto 50-meter. Suitable sizes of micro hydro turbines have . been recommended for the sites in Uttranchal State as a case study.