Presented By :

VIVEK SINGH
ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING

INTRODUCTION
VARIOUS COMPONENTS
TURBINES
GENERATORS
ELECTRONIC LOAD CONTROLLER
ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES
CONCLUSION

Micro-hydro power is a type of Hydro electric power that typically produced up to 100 kW of
electricity using the natural flow of water. These type of power plant can provide power to an isolated
home or a small community. Micro-hydro system complement solar energy because in many areas in
winter the water flow is maximum and solar energy is minimum. In such areas micro-hydro power is
used along with photo voltaic solar energy.

Construction of a Micro-hydro power plant is

site specific. It is made up of a number of
components. Some of them are
Intake
Canal
Penstock
Turbine
Generator
Controlling unit

Turbines converts the flow and pressure

energy into mechanical energy. Turbines
are basically of two types i.e. Reaction &
Impulse and Depending upon the head of
the available water further divide in three
categories i.e. High, Medium & Low head.
According to site specification (i.e. head
and flow) we choose the turbine to use in
micro- hydro power plant.

Continued.

Turbine type Flow

Head

Pelton wheel

Low

High ( > 70
feet)

Medium

Medium (2575 feet)

High

Low (<25
feet)

Turgo
Cross Flow

Theoretical Power
P = 9.81 Q H
Where :
= Density of water, kg/m3
Q = Flow Rate, m3/s
H = Head, meters

The standard generators used

in micro hydro power projects
are the synchronous generator
and the induction motor used
as a generator.
Induction generator :- Induction
generator usually an induction
motor.
Which rotates
1-5%
faster then synchronous speed
so that it can achieve negative
slip, to run in generating mode.

Continued

Synchronous generator :- Salient pole

Synchronous generator or alternator are
used in micro-hydro projects. These
generator
supplies its own excitation
through rectifier or
external batteries
system can be used for excitation.
Some times industrial pumps (i.e.
centrifugal) are use as generator.

Water turbines vary

in speed as load is
applied. This speed
variation will seriously
affect both frequency
and voltage output
from a generator.
To over come this
problem
electronic
load controller is used
in micro-hydro power
plant.

Continued.

The ELC prevents speed variations by

continuously adding or subtracting an
artificial load, so that the generator is
working permanently under full load.
A further benefit is that the ELC has
no moving parts, it is very reliable and
maintenance free.

 Economic energy source.

No reservoir required.
Utilize natural flow of water.
No harmful effect on surrounding.
No costly equipment used.

Low power generation during summer

months.
Suitable site characteristics required.
Efficiency is low .

New computerized control systems and

improved turbines may allow more
electricity to be generated from existing
facilities in the future.
Small scale and low head hydro
capacity will probably increase in the
future.
Low
head
turbines,
and
standardized turbine production, lowers
the costs of hydro-electric power at sites
with low heads.

Micro-hydro power plant is an important

part of worlds electricity supply. Specially in
remote areas it is providing reliable
and
economic source of electricity.
As no fossil fuel required in hydro power
plant, it can help to save other source of
energy.

 http://www.microhydropower.net
http://www.ieee.org
BOOKS.

Micro Hydro Power Handbook vol.

1,2

by. J. D. McKinney & Prof. C. C. Warnick

Power Plant Engg. by. P. K. NAG
Electrical Machinery

Bimbhra

by, Dr. P. S.