Sizing up a micro hydrolectric power plant

Some useful suggestions

The power output of a hydroelectric power plant essentially depends on two parameters: the available water flow and the head. The output may be calculated through the formula:

P = 9,8 Q Hn where:

(kW)

Q = flow rate (m3/s) Hn= net head = total head minus the load losses in the pipeline (m). = global efficiency (i.e. efficiency related to turbine, alternator, mechanical gears and so on)

As regarding the micro hydroelectric power plants the following formula may be used:

P=

QxH 170

(kW)

where:

Q = available flow rate (litres per second) H= total head (metres)

This formula assumes a global efficiency = 0,60. The choice of the site is very important: in fact the head should be contained in a very short and steep stretch to reduce the expenses for the pipeline and also to reduce the load losses (which depend on the pipeline length). The approaching conduct may be realized in open air and the pipes will be used only for the final steep stretch (see picture on page 8). This may be done only if the water may easily flow out. It is advisable to look for a site which permits to exploit an important head: this will involve a limited need for water availability. This will also involve a cost effective plant (conducts and pipes having smaller diameters, turbine smaller in size ad so on). Furthermore the plant productivity will be little affected by possible water flow variations. On this subject, it is useful to collect reliable data on the seasonal flow availability specially for a plant exploiting flowing water (i.e.: without any gathering basin). But it is very difficult to collect reliable data on very small streams.

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Sizing up a micro hydrolectric power plant

It will be very useful to gather information from the residents who normally know very well the stream characteristics (specially when the water is used for irrigation). The most important feature of a "flowing water" plant is the minimum flow available during the dry periods. The micro hydroelectric plant has to be designed considering, beside the minimum flow availability, the periods of peak energy demand and whether these periods correspond to an increased water availability. It is useful to carry out some measurements related to the flow rate, and then to compare these results with the information gathered from the residents. Keep also in mind that the flow rates normally vary during the years. Below there are some suggestions on plant sizing.

a) Measuring the flow rate There are many methods for calculating the flow rate. Below there is a brief description of three well-known and easy methods.

Method no. 1
In presence of a small stream a "makeshift" weir is enough to calculate the flow: let the water flow through a pipe and time how long it takes for filling a container having a well-known capacity (e.g.: a tank). The flow rate will be calculated through the formula:

Q=

C t

(m3/s)

where: C = tank capacity (m3) t = time needed for filling the tank (s)

Method no. 2 For larger flow rates (up to 1 m3/s approx.) an accurate measurement can be made through the "Bazin weir" method (see on next page).

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Sizing up a micro hydrolectric power plant

This method consists of a rectangular orifice made up of wooden boards (two crossbeams) and a graduated scale rod. Follow the recommendations listed below to obtain reliable data: - the orifice must have sharp corner walls; - "h" measurement must be done upstream the orifice at a distance of at least 1 meter (the surface of the water has to be horizontal) - the water upstream the weir has to be sufficiently quiet; - the flow must not touch the walls of the weir, this to avoid overflowing.

graduated scale rod lengthwise crossbeam transverse crossbeam flow

lengthwise crossbeam

1m

H bottom of the orifice

H: distance of the transverse crossbeam from the orifice bottom h: distance of the lenghtwise crossbeam from the water surface L: orifice width The table on the next page shows the flow rates corresponding to different H-h values with a theoretical orifice width of 1 m. If the effective weir has a different width (L), so the flow rate will be that in the table multiplied by the effective width. Example: if the orifice width is L = 0,7 m and (H-h) corresponds to = 0,14 m, the effective flow rate will be: Q = 93 x 0,7 = 65 l/s.

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Sizing up a micro hydrolectric power plant

H-h (m)

Q (l/s)

H-h (m)

Q (l/s)

H-h (m)

Q (l/s)

H-h (m)

Q (l/s)

0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.09 0.1 0.11 0.12 0.13

1.8 5 9.3 14 20 26 33 40 48.6 56 65 74 83

0.14 0.15 0.16 0.17 0.18 0.19 0.20 0.21 0.22 0.23 0.24 0.25 0.26

93 103 113 124 135 147 158 170 183 195 208 221 235

0.27 0.28 0.29 0.30 0.31 0.32 0.33 0.34 0.35 0.36 0.37 0.38 0.39

249 263 277 291 306 321 336 351 367 383 399 415 432

0.40 0.41 0.42 0.43 0.44 0.45 0.46 0.47 0.48 0.49 0.50 0.52 0.54

448 455 482 500 517 535 553 571 589 608 626 664 703

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Method no. 3
This is useful for large flow rates: it is easier but less accurate (error rate up to 20%). It is based on the flow rate calculation as the product of the average speed by the average section of the water flow.

float

measuring the speed

The stretch of the stream to be measured has to be quite regular. Mark off the area (10 m length) by two cables across the bank sides (see picture above). Start a chronometer to time how long it takes the float to cover 10 meters. The float could be a bottle partially filled (2/3) with water (a too light bottle could be affected by air friction). Throw the bottle into the water upstream the stretch to be measured. The speed will be:

V=

s t

(m/s)

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where: s = covered stretch (m) t = time spent (s) 5

Sizing up a micro hydrolectric power plant

The speed ratio has to be rectified because it not perfectly distributed all along the stream (the water flow is restrained by the friction on the bank sides, on the bottom and by the air). The factor of correction may be within 0.75 and 0.85 depending on width and depth of the stream and on the bank sides (smooth walls will reduce the friction) On average, the speed will be: V1 = 0,8 x V where: V1 = rectified speed V = measured speed (there are of course most accurate methods: for example a small propeller dipped in the stream and wheeled by the water). The depth has to be measured at different points (P1,P2,P3....) of the various sections (for instance the starting and the final section). After having performed the measurements, then it is necessary to calculate the average depth (p). After these measurements and after having calculated the average width (L) the average section will be: A = p x L (m2). The flow rate is calculated through the formula: Q = A x V1 (m3/s)

b) Measuring the head Practically the question is to measure the difference in height. When using a level there are no problems to perform this measurement. Perform the measurements as per picture below. Place the level and adjust it. Two peoples are needed: one for holding the graduated scale rod and one for performing the measurements by rotating the eyepiece of 180. (see A and B in the picture).

measuring the difference in height

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Sizing up a micro hydrolectric power plant

The difference in height is obtained through the readings of two sections (see picture on page 6). Perform the measurements for the remaining sections. If you do not have a level, make use of a wooden board. This board has to be long and straight. Tie a mason's level at the side of the board and then make use of a rule to measure the difference in height. This method requires a great deal of patience. Instead of using a level, a transparent flexible plastic pipe filled with water may be used. If the head is of several dozen of meters you may use an altimeter. When using an altimeter take care of repeating the measurements several times. Stop a few minutes at top and bottom before repeating the measurement. When measuring the head it is also useful to measure the distance between the intake and the penstock. This will permit to assess the necessary equipment and also to evaluate the load losses in the pipeline when an accurate measurement of the net head is envisaged.

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Sizing up a micro hydrolectric power plant

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