Energy is one of the most important inputs in the process of development. It is the most important universal measure of all kind of work by human beings and nature. Small hydro power is one of the mostly used methods for energy production being non- consumptive, no radioactive and non- polluting use of water resources and ideal for development areas which are located in remote and far off places from national grid. In recent years the necessity of carrying out performance and evaluation of small hydro power (SHP) plants has been felt globally and initiatives have been taken in countries to address this need. In India, performance testing is a prime-requisite to get subsidy for new SHP stations from the government. The tests are to be carried as per the provision of the International Standard IEC: 60041(1991) and guidelines of Government of India. This book emphasizes the important detail of the performance testing and evaluation carried out on three SHP’s located in three different states of India. Attempt has been made to carry out performance & evaluation of small hydro power plants at different sites. The various aspect of performance & evaluation of SHP plants are studied & described in this book for components, equipment specification & its characteristics. In this book various means of field testing of hydro mechanical equipment are also discussed and testing has been done on site and their characteristics curves are drawn. The various other findings were also made like the variation of turbine performance at present site and the guaranteed performance by the vendor. In the Loharkhet Site, it was observed that tail race channel can be down 10 m more, which would increase the head available for power generation. From the availability of10m head, we may reduce the losses of 2.44 million units. The difference loss also seen in actual power guaranteed to be produced by turbine range from 2.25 to 3.28 Million units. Apart from this transmission losses were 1.6% from the site. In addition to the above findings an additional unit of 2.5 MW may also be proposed at the existing site of the Loharkhet power station at Uttaranchal based upon the hydrology discharge data of the 7 years into consideration. In Birsinghpur Site, difference in actual power guaranteed to be produced by turbine ranges from 12.73 to 15.924 Million units for the head of 40m.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction
1.1 Importance of Electric Power plants
1.2 Energy Sources
1.3 Renewable Energy Scenario in India
1.4 Small Hydro Power Scenario
1.5 History of Small Power in India
1.6 Small hydro – The Concept
1.6.1 Run-of- River Scheme
1.6.2 Canal based Scheme
1.6.3 Dam toe Scheme
1.7 Component of small Hydro power Scheme
Chapter 2 Hydro Mechanical Equipment of SHP station
2.1 General
2.2 Hydro turbines
2.2.1 Classification of Turbines
2.3 Governing System
2.3.1 Performance Characteristics of Governor
2.4 Gates and valves
2.4.1 Types of Gate
2.4.2 Types of Valves
Chapter 3 Literature Review on performance of Hydro Mechanical Equipment
3.1 Work done by previous Researchers
3.2 Testing of Hydro Mechanical Equipment
3.2.1 Purpose of Testing
3.3 National & International Standards and Codes for Testing
Chapter 4 Methodology for Performance measurement and analysis of Hydro Mechanical Equipment
4.1 General
4.1.1 Turbine Model testing
4.1.2 Procedure of testing for turbines in Laboratory
4.1.3 Field Testing of Prototype
4.1.4 Testing of Governor
4.1.5 Testing of Valves
4.2 Efficiency Measurement
4.2.1 Head measurement
4.3 Speed Measurement
4.3.1 Direct Contact
4.3.2 Indirect Contact
4.4 Power Measurement
4.4.1 Direct Contact
4.4.2 Indirect Contact
4.5 Temperature Variation
4.6 Discharge Measurement
4.6.1 Current Meter Method
4.6.2 Pitot Tubes
4.6.3 Pressure Time Method
4.6.4 Acoustic Method
4.6.5 Electromagnetic Method
4.6.6 Ultrasonic Method
4.6.7 Tracer Method
4.6.8 Transit time Method
4.6.9 Weir Method
4.6.10 Float Method
4.7 Efficiency Measurement
4.7.1 Absolute Method
4.7.2 Thermodynamic Method
4.8 Characteristics and performance of hydro turbine
4.8.1 Main Characteristics Curve
4.8.2 Operating Characteristics Curve
4.8.3 Constant Effective Curve
Chapter 5 Case Study
5.1 Loharkhet SHP
5.2 Gangrel SHP
5.3 Birsinghpur SHP
Chapter 6 Results and Findings
6.1 General
6.2 Design Head
6.3 Power Potential studies
6.4 Installed capacity
6.5 Comparison graph at sites with measured and guaranteed by vendor
6.6 Results of variations in tabular form
Chapter 7 Conclusion & Future scope
7.1 Conclusion
7.2 Future scope
Objectives & Core Themes
The primary objective of this work is to evaluate the performance and operational efficiency of small hydro power (SHP) plants in India through comprehensive field testing. The research addresses the need for standardized performance assessment methods to ensure that hydro-mechanical equipment meets contractual guarantees and operates at optimal potential.
- Performance testing and efficiency evaluation of hydro-mechanical equipment in SHP stations.
- Application of international standards (IEC: 60041) for field-based testing and data analysis.
- Comparative study of turbine characteristics (Pelton, Francis, Kaplan) across diverse geographical sites.
- Assessment of power potential and operational variations based on long-term hydrology data.
- Optimization of existing plant infrastructure through site-specific recommendations.
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1.1 Importance of Electric Power Plants
Low cost and abundant supply of electric power is the major factor in the development of country. It is not possible for all consumers to have access to the electrical power available from the main power plants. Sometimes it is not worthwhile for the small isolated customers to afford the transmission and maintenance cost, even if connected to the main power. Until the year 1970’s an ideal way to produce small amount of electrical power was to use diesel or gas engine driven generators. But with the high increase in the energy consumption, price of diesel, gas and other pollution-related effects towards environment also rose. It was then that consideration of utilizing natural energy available from Sun, Wind, Stream, Small waterfalls came into existence which are more economical, provided that small and Low cost device can be made. In many areas where it is difficult to build thermal power station and supply to nearby place by a substation causes large transmission losses, small hydro plants are good alternative subject to availability of natural resource.
Energy may exist in many forms. Hydraulic energy, that which is possessed by a fluid, is a clean energy source. Without consuming the source, it only uses the water, which, after use, can be used for other purposes. Conversion of potential energy possessed by water into mechanical energy could be carried out with a high efficiency. Such technology, using hydro power, provides significant savings on exhaustible sources of energy. It may exist in any form of kinetic, pressure, potential, strain or thermal energy. Mechanical energy is that which is associated with the moving or rotating parts of machines, usually transmitting power. Machines utilizing hydraulic energy, with output in the form of a rotating shaft or a moving part of machine are known as hydraulic turbines.
Summary of Chapters
Chapter 1 Introduction: Provides a fundamental overview of electric power generation, emphasizing the significance of small hydro power in India and its role as a sustainable alternative to conventional energy sources.
Chapter 2 Hydro Mechanical Equipment of SHP station: Details the technical classification, components, and governing mechanisms of various types of hydro turbines, gates, and valves used in SHP stations.
Chapter 3 Literature Review on performance of Hydro Mechanical Equipment: Reviews historical developments and previous research concerning turbine testing, discharge measurement techniques, and international standards for performance analysis.
Chapter 4 Methodology for Performance measurement and analysis of Hydro Mechanical Equipment: Outlines the systematic procedures for testing turbines, measuring efficiency, head, speed, and discharge, while establishing mathematical frameworks for performance characteristics.
Chapter 5 Case Study: Presents specific case studies of the Loharkhet, Gangrel, and Birsinghpur SHP stations, documenting site-specific technical data and operational findings.
Chapter 6 Results and Findings: Compiles and analyzes the experimental results, offering insights into discharge patterns, power potential studies, and comparisons between measured and guaranteed performance metrics.
Chapter 7 Conclusion & Future scope: Summarizes the key research findings regarding the performance of the selected SHP stations and outlines potential areas for future improvements and facility modifications.
Keywords
Small Hydro Power (SHP), Hydro Turbines, Performance Testing, Efficiency Measurement, Discharge Measurement, Pelton Turbine, Francis Turbine, Kaplan Turbine, Renewable Energy, Field Acceptance Test, Hydraulic Power, Power Potential Studies, Energy Generation, Turbine Characteristics, Governing System
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this publication?
The publication focuses on the performance evaluation and field testing of small hydro power (SHP) stations in India, aiming to ensure operational efficiency and verify performance against manufacturer guarantees.
What are the primary themes discussed in this work?
The primary themes include the design and classification of hydro-mechanical equipment, standardized field testing methodologies, performance analysis of turbines, and the evaluation of power potential based on hydrological data.
What is the main research goal or question?
The primary goal is to assess whether existing SHP stations are operating at their rated capacity and efficiency, and to propose site-specific modifications to enhance energy output and reduce losses.
Which scientific methods are utilized for performance analysis?
The study utilizes standard field testing methods as defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC 60041) and ASME test codes, including pressure-time (Gibson) methods, thermodynamic efficiency measurement, and various discharge estimation techniques.
What topics are covered in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the classification of turbines (Reaction vs. Impulse), the role of governing systems, detailed field testing procedures, performance curve generation, and extensive case studies of three specific power plants.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Key terms include Small Hydro Power (SHP), Hydro Turbines, Performance Testing, Efficiency Measurement, Power Potential Studies, and Hydraulic Performance.
How is the potential for power generation calculated in this study?
The potential is assessed by utilizing historical river discharge data (7-year series), calculating net head, and analyzing the efficiency of specific turbine units under different load scenarios.
What conclusions does the author draw for the Loharkhet power station?
The author observes that the tail race level is approximately 10 meters above the river basin, suggesting that lowering the tail race could provide additional head, leading to significant annual power gains.
- Quote paper
- Shubhankar Bhowmick (Author), Vivek Kumar Gaba (Author), Suraj Kumar Mukti (Author), 2017, Small Hydro Plant Installation and Performance, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/383457
