Abstract:
Small hydropower (SHP) is one of the most renewable, economic, non- consumptive, non-radioactive, non-polluting and environmentally benign sources of energy. Small hydro power development can reduce the load on conventional sources of energy. The cost of small hydro power generation can be maintained at attractive levels, despite periodic modifications in the regime of fiscal incentives through higher efficiencies and improved performance obtained from new hydro turbine designs; larger scale and more efficient manufacturing; better levels of operation and maintenance and development of sites in clusters.
In India, about 5718 potential SHP sites each having capacity up to 25 MW have been identified in various parts of the country. A vast potential of small hydropower is available under the range of small head hydropower schemes. Low head SHP.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.
In the present study an attempt has been made to discuss various parameters affecting cost of small hydro power plants. The cost of the scheme has been determined for different alternative layouts based on different combinations of components of SHP. A cost effective combination has been suggested based on cost incurred in different alternatives of SHP projects.
•A case study has been carried out having capacity 2000 kW at 15m head. Different layouts based on type of low head turbine have been considered and costs have been determined for all options. Based on investment cost and generation cost, the cost effective option has been suggested.
