Reliable Power Generation by Zero Head Micro Hydro
Pakistan has the largest canal system in the world for irrigation purposes. Natural flow of running water in canals at zero head carries a lot of kinetic energy. To utilize these valuable renewable energy resources we will be able to produce power to overcome energy shortfalls but the power generati
2025-06-28 16:34:46 - Adil Khan
Reliable Power Generation by Zero Head Micro Hydro
Project Area of Specialization Electrical/Electronic EngineeringProject SummaryPakistan has the largest canal system in the world for irrigation purposes. Natural flow of running water in canals at zero head carries a lot of kinetic energy. To utilize these valuable renewable energy resources we will be able to produce power to overcome energy shortfalls but the power generation by zero head micro hydro turbine has stability issues due to small size of turbine and the variable flow rate of canal there will also electrical fluctuation of voltage frequceny. So, our objective is to produce a stable,clean and relaiable energy with minimum capital cost.
Project ObjectivesIn this project, our aim is to construct a zero head turbine and produce the reliable power by depressing the intermittencies regarding voltages by an approach of storing energy in Supercapacitors.
Project Implementation MethodMethodology
The methodology that will be used in our project include seven major steps which involves:
- Turbine
- Gear Box
- Generator
- Super Capacitor
- Inverter
- Control Panel
- Load
Turbine:
In our project we are using cross-flow turbine because it is efficiently works at low head and will produce required rpm which we need.
Gear Box:
We are using gear box to increase number of rpm which we will get from turbine. Due to low flow rate of canal water, our turbine rpm will be lesser than requirement of generator. So we are using gear box to get our required rpm.
Generator:
In our project we are using permanent magnet DC generator because its works efficiently with low rpm. As our predicted output will not stable (variable frequency & variable voltages) due to the variable flow rate of water in canal so it’s also an advantage to use permanent magnet DC generator is that its output is DC so we only have to stable the voltages not the frequency.
Super capacitor:
In this project we are adopting a new technique of supercapacitors to smooth ripples get from PMDC generator’s output and to store power.
Invertor:
The output of supercapacitor will be stable 12V DC.In our project we are using invertor to invert 12V DC to 220V AC and frequency is 50Hz. So that we can operate our regular AC appliances.
Control Panel:
After getting 220V AC output we will install control panel to monitor the voltage, frequency and current in amperes.Also to isolate the load from source.
Block Diagram:
Flowchart:
IMPOTENCE AND FEATURES:
- It can be an excellent method of harnessing renewable energy from small rivers and streams and it is a clean source of renewable energy. So, it has a minimal environmental impact on the local ecosystem. Moreover this project will also helpful in reducing the coal and furnace oil consumption in our country in energy sector. So, this will be helpful in pollution reduction
- This project will ensure the 24/7 service continuity.
- We could produce sufficient power to light a couple of energy saver bulbs and fans that can suffice the requirements of far flung villagers and dwellers having access to natural stream of water but no electricity supply. So, it will be a Cheaper electricity source for the formers in Punjab, because it required only installing cost and one can get benifit from this project upto 50 years.
Turbine:
In our project we are using cross-flow turbine because it is efficiently works at low head and will produce required rpm which we need. It is commonly applied in horizontal and vertical configurations. In our project we applied cross-flow turbine in vertical configuration because it works more efficient in vertical configuration than that of horizontal. The average efficiency of cross-flow turbine turbines is usually 80% for small and micro-power outputs. But can reach up to 86% in the case of medium and large units. The efficiency of cross-flow turbine depends on geometrical parameters like the number of blades, runner diameter, nozzle entry arc and angle of attack.
Our design:
Gear box:
Due to low flow rate our turbine rpm will be lesser than requirement of generator. So by using gear box we will get our required rpm. By using this formula, we designed our gear box.
N1/N2 = D2/D1
Where N1, N2 are RPMs on primary and secondary side and D1, D2 are the diameters of primary and secondary Pulleys respectively.
In our project we are using 12V and 1KW Permanent Magnet DC generator because its works efficiently with low rpm. As our predicted output will not stable (variable frequency & variable voltages) due to the variable flow rate of water in canal so it’s also an advantage to use permanent magnet DC generator is that its output is DC so we only can stable the voltages not the frequency. Permanent magnet excitation is generally favored in newer smaller scale turbine designs, since it allows for higher efficiency. The primary advantage of permanent magnet DC generators (PMDC) is that they do not require any external excitation current. A major cost benefit in using the PMDC is the fact that a diode bridge rectifier may be used at the generator terminals since no external excitation current is needed.
Super capacitor:
In this project we are adopting a new technique of supercapacitors to smooth ripples get from PMDC generator’s output and to store power because it will be best replacer of batteries moreover charging and discharging time of a supercapacitor is much faster than batteries so chance of missing transient energy will be reduced.We are using12V and 500uF capacitor.
Invertor:
In our project we are using invertor to invert 12V DC to 220V AC and frequency is 50Hz. After using super capacitor our output is stable 12V DC. This stable 12V DC given to the invertor in our project. This 12V DC invert into 220V AC with frequency 50Hz.
Inverter- Inverex Aerox 1.2KW
Control Panel:
After getting 220V AC output we install control panel to protect our devices. Control panel can protect our devices by short circuit and over and under voltages conditions. By using control panel we will continuously monitoring the voltage, frequency and current in amperes.
- 2 Pole MCB, rating:10A
- RCCB, rating: 36A , Ileakage 30mA
- Voltmeter, rating:500V
- Ammeter, rating:10A
- P.F meter
- Fuses 5A
- Switches with distribution board 10A
| Item Name | Type | No. of Units | Per Unit Cost (in Rs) | Total (in Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total in (Rs) | 80000 | |||
| Turbine | Equipment | 1 | 30000 | 30000 |
| Gear box | Equipment | 1 | 6500 | 6500 |
| PMDC Generator | Equipment | 1 | 8500 | 8500 |
| Super Capacitors and Charge controller | Equipment | 1 | 8000 | 8000 |
| Inverter | Equipment | 1 | 12000 | 12000 |
| Control panel | Equipment | 1 | 5000 | 5000 |
| Clamp meter | Miscellaneous | 1 | 3000 | 3000 |
| Tester and other Tools | Miscellaneous | 3 | 300 | 900 |
| Labor cost | Miscellaneous | 5 | 1000 | 5000 |
| Load for testing (Bulb) | Miscellaneous | 2 | 100 | 200 |
| Life Jacket | Miscellaneous | 1 | 900 | 900 |