COST-EFFECTWE DESIGN FOR LOW HEAD SMALL HYDROPOWER ER STATIONS

Abstract

The economic feasibility of the small hydro installations is usually determined by their capital cost. To fully exploit small hydroelectric potential, small hydropower projects need to be made cost effective to make them economically feasible. In high head projects there isn't very much room for bringing down costs of their civil structures, as they cant be changed much. Low head projects are inherently expensive, as the large discharges, which need to be passed through the turbines, require large machines. It is therefore always desirable to minimize their capital cost. Civil structures cost contribute to a major part of the costs in these projects. In the present study, the various types of turbine configurations, which can be used in low head range, have been studied and their . head ranges and capacities have been studied. A software has also been prepared which can be used to predict the powerhouse structure costs for the different layouts possible under given conditions of head and capacities. This program utilizes the exhaustive study done and charts prepared by TUDOR engineering company in the US.