This work is a practical implementation of the theory of hydropower generation. It considers the design and installation of mini hydropower plant.
1-800-346-9140 • www.attra.ncat.org A project of the National Center for Appropriate Technology By Leif Kindberg NCAT Energy Specialist Published February 2011 © NCAT IP383 Contents Micro-Hydro Power: A Beginners Guide to Design and Installation Introduction ......................1 Determining the Hydro Potential of Your Site .........................2 Environmental Impact .................................9 Regulatory Issues ..........11 Equipment ...................... Micro-hydro systems generally consist of the following components: • A trash rack, weir, and forebay to pre-vent debris from entering the pipeline and turbine • A pipeline (also called a penstock) to pipe water to the turbine • A powerhouse that contains the turbine and electronics • A water turbine that converts the kinetic energy of the fl owing water into mechanical energy that can be used directly or to drive a generator or other piece of equipment—this is the main component of a micro-hydro system • A tailrace to release the water back into the source it came from • Transmission lines to deliver electrical power where it is needed Th is publication is intended to include as much information as necessary to get you started in the process and to assist you generally at each step along the way of a micro-hydro project.
By following this guide, you can successfully design, install, and maintain a pico hydroelectric power system.
The basic principle of hydropower is that, if water is piped from a certain level to a lower level, the resulting water pressure can be used to do work.
ESHA 2004 Guide on How to Develop a Small Hydropower Plant The present document is an updated version developed by the Thematic Network on Small hydropower (TNSHP) of the Layman’s Guidebook on how to develop a small hydro site, by Celso Penche1998. This Guide has been translated by the TNSHP to German, French, and Swedish European Small Hydropower Association - ESHA - esha@arcadis.be Tel. +32-2-546.19.45 - Fax +32-2-546.19.47 ESHA is founding member of EREC, the European Renewable Energy Council Guide on How to Develop a Small Hydropower Plant ESHA 2004 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This Guide is an updated and adapted version of the publication “Layman’s Guidebook on How to Develop a Small Hydro Site”, published by ESHA - the European Small Hydropower Association – in 1998 in the frame of the European Commission DG-TREN (Directorate General for Transport and Energy) ALTENER programme. ESHA 2004 i Guide on How to Develop a Small Hydropower Plant ESHA 2004 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Developing a small hydropower site is not a simple task.
Click on the 'Mini Hydro Guide' below to download a detailed overview with all you need to know about installing a scheme.
4 Guide on How to Develop a Small Hydropower Plant ESHA 2004 Figure 1-3 Low head scheme integrated in the dam 1.3.2 Schemes with the powerhouse at the base of a dam A small hydropower scheme cannot afford a large reservoir to operate the plant when it is most convenient, the cost of a relatively large dam and its hydraulic appurtenances would be too high to make it economically viable. 5 Guide on How to Develop a Small Hydropower Plant ESHA 2004 Figure 1-4 Low head scheme using an existing dam Provided the dam is not too high, a siphon intake can be installed.
Guideline and Manual for Hydropower Development Vol. 2 Small Scale Hydropower March 2011 Japan International Cooperation Agency Electric Power Development Co., Ltd. JP Design Co., Ltd. IDD JR 11-020 TABLE OF CONTENTS Part 1 Introduction on Small Scale Hydropower for Rural Electrification Chapter 1 Significance of Small Scale Hydropower Development ..................................... 2-1 Chapter 3 Outline of Hydropower Generation ..................................................................... 3-1 Chapter 4 Rural Electrification Project by Small-Scale Hydropower ................................. 4-1 Part 2 Designation of the Area of Electrification Chapter 5 Selection of the Area of Electrification and Finding of the Site .......................... 6-1 Chapter 7 Technical Survey ................................................................................................. 7-1 Chapter 8 Generation Plan ................................................................................................... 16-1 Part 1 Introduction on Small Scale Hydropower for Rural Electrification TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1 Significance of Small Scale Hydropower Development ................................. 3-1 3.1 Energy of Hydropower ............................................................................................. 3-1 3.1.1 Hydro Power Generation .................................................................................. 3-1 3.1.2 Electric Power Output ....................................................................................... 3-2 3.1.3 Energy Generation ............................................................................................ 4-3 4.1.2 Basic Plan Survey Stage ...................................................................................