Power Generation Through Pico Hydro System

Project Title

Power Generation Through Pico Hydro System

Project Area of Specialization Electrical/Electronic EngineeringProject Summary

In this project, the Pico hydro power system will be developed with the help of electrical and mechanical components. Such systems can be installed in a run of river areas especially in northern areas of Pakistan that would have no impact on climate change or where the electrical transmission network is not feasible. Initially, the Pelton turbine will be design in a CAD software and the material used to manufacture such turbine is acrylic whereas, the final product produced by means of a computer numerically controlled (CNC) lathe machine. The mechanical setup will be developed that comprise of PVC pipes, water tub, water control valves, Pelton turbine, and nozzles while, the electrical components involved are single phase AC generator, AC inverter, pressure transducers, flowrate sensors, battery, weighing scale, pump, and AC load respectively. A continuous water flow rate will be attained by means of a PVC pipes and centrifugal pump that pumps the water from available water in the tub. The inverter will be designed in a Proteus simulation software to operate the load of about 300W. In last, the generator and turbine efficiency will be checked at different water flow rates to achieve maximum power of 300W to operate the load.      

Project Objectives

• Developing a prototype of Pico hydro power  system
• Designing a Pelton turbine
• Designing a single-phase AC inverter to operate AC load
• Analyzing the effect of water flow rate on turbine and generator efficiency

Project Implementation Method

The project will be implemented in the following way.

1. Developing a Pico hydro power system infrastructure by accompanying mechanical (PVC pipes for continuous water flow rate, water tub, Pelton turbine, control valves, and water injecting nozzles) and electrical components (single phase AC inverter, single phase AC generator, battery, centrifugal pump, pressure transducers, flow rate sensors, weight hanging scale, and AC loads) respectively.
2. Designing an acrylic Pelton turbine in a CAD software with a final finished product obtained by CNC cutting lathe machine.  
3. Designing an AC inverter in a proteus simulation software before installation in a Pico hydro power system.
4. Generator and turbine efficiency will be analyzed at different water flow rates to achieve maximum power to operate the AC load.  

Benefits of the Project

The merits of the project are that such Pico hydro power systems can be installed in a run of river northern areas of Pakistan especially at resorts, where electricity transmission infrastructure through WAPDA is not feasible. Besides that, the project implementation has indirect effect on climate being environmentally benign by generating clean and affordable energy.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

The Pico hydro power system prototype that would be able to generate 300W power along with its all required mechanical and electrical components, designed technically will be delivered at the end.

Final Deliverable of the Project Hardware SystemCore Industry Energy Other IndustriesCore Technology Clean TechOther TechnologiesSustainable Development Goals Affordable and Clean EnergyRequired Resources

Item Name	Type	No. of Units	Per Unit Cost (in Rs)	Total (in Rs)
			Total in (Rs)	80000
Mechanical Structure (PVC pipes and valves)	Equipment	2	5000	10000
Generator and pump	Equipment	2	15000	30000
Pelton Turbine	Equipment	1	7000	7000
AC inverter	Equipment	1	10000	10000
Battery	Equipment	1	5000	5000
Sensors	Equipment	2	4000	8000
Stationary cost	Miscellaneous	1	3000	3000
nuts and bolts	Miscellaneous	1	7000	7000