DEVELOPMENT OF EFFICIENT STRATEGY FOR PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF SHP HYDRO MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT

Abstract

Hydropower is one of the most widely used methods of energy production in the world. Approximate one quarter of the world's energy demand is provided from using hydropower technology. From humble beginnings in the form of water wheels system, hydropower has developed into a highly technical means of energy production. A small hydropower station offers wide many of benefits especially. for rural areas and developing countries. Small hydro has, always been considered an environmentally repressible choice for electricity generation. Performance evaluation of hydro mechanical equipment becomes one of the key issues for small hydropower development. The performance of the equipment submitted with the tender are based on the results of previous tests of similar equipment in the laboratory or at different sites. A developer has only choice to rely upon them. Therefore, there is need to develop a performance evaluation strategy, which could be employed to evaluate the performance of hydro mechanical equipment. The literature about performance evaluation of hydro mechanical equipment reveals that a lot of work has been carried out to develop the efficient technology especially for hydro mechanical equipment. Presently no systematic strategy is available to check the performance of equipment at site against the supplier guarantee. Under the present study the various aspects of testing of hydro mechanical equipment of small hydro plant. The hydro mechanical equipment consisting hydro turbines, gates, valves and trash rack are considered for the study.