Optimization of a low head microhydro system for electricity generation

Issue Date

7-2016

Abstract

One of the most used renewable energy nowadays is hydro energy. However, large hydro systems are expensive to construct and maintain. The use of microhydro systems has great potential in generating electricity for farm use. A propeller type turbine for low head microhydro system was analyzed and two factors were incorporated in the study. These factors are the configuration of the draft tube and the speed ratio of the transmission system to generate electricity. The maximum power generated by the microhydro system is around 86.9 W. This power occurred in the combination of a modified draft tube and speed ratio of 3:8. However, the most efficient microhydro system is the combination of the original draft tube with a speed ratio of 3:8. The efficiency reached up to 31.7% producing the optimum power of 72.8 W. The investment for the microhydro system costs around US $ 2,028.44 or PhP 91,280.00. About US $ 1,017.33 or PhP 45,780.00 of the total cost is contributed to labor cost and $ 1,011.11 or PhP 45,500.00 is accounted for material costs. The cost of the microhydro system can be further reduced if fabrication of components is through mass production.

Source or Periodical Title

Asia Life Sciences

ISSN

0117-3375

Volume

25

Issue

1

Page

267-279

Document Type

Article

Frequency

semi-annually

Physical Description

graphs ; tables; references

Language

English

Subject

Water power; Renewable energy sources; Electric power production

En – AGROVOC descriptors

ELECTRICAL ENERGY; WATER POWER; TURBINE ENGINES; RENEWABLE ENERGY; COSTS

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