TECHNO-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF MICRO HYDROPOWER EQUIPMENT

Abstract

Micro hydropower (<100 kW) in India is emerged as the best solution to meet the energy demand of rural and remote population. Problem associated with exploitation of this potential is basically economical. This can be solved upto certain extent if the equipment costs are reduced by using local skills. Turbine is one of the important and cost affecting component of micro hydro power scheme. The cost of the turbines could be brought drawn by compromising with the efficiency. It will not be economically viable to manufacture a site-specific turbine in the conventional way. It is therefore required to simplify the conventional design of turbines, so that they can be manufactured locally and are of low cost. Under the present work an attempt is made to determine the performance of micro turbines. A comparison in their efficiency with cost is made. Types of turbine suitable for small —scale hydropower are discussed and their fabrication aspect and selection of micro turbines have also been discussed under present study. The fabrication includes the fabrication of runner, nozzle, casing, shaft and draft tube. An attempt is made to discussed cost of different component of micro hydro turbines. It is fond out that Pelton and cross-flow are most suited turbines at these sites. However, in the lower capacity in micro hydro ranges, locally made turbines are considered to be cost effective. Attempt has also been made to establish break-even point in efficiency and cost of micro turbines. It has been found that for lower capacity of micro hydro turbines is cost effective to improve the efficiency of turbine upto 70%.