Turbine types suit specific ranges of head, flow rate and shaft speed and are usually categorised by specific speed. In the pico range, under 5 kW, the requirements are often different to that of larger scale turbines and qualitative requirements become more influential in selection. Pico hydro...

This paper describes the design of four different specific speed microhydro propeller turbines operating at heads between 4m and 9m, and their application to a wider range of heads and outputs by scaling. The features are specifically tailored for ease of manufacture and uniquely resistant to...

This paper describes the design of two different specific speed microhydro turbines operating at heads between 6 and 12m, at small scale and up to heads of 50m at larger scales. The features are specifically tailored for ease of manufacture and uniquely resistant to debris blockage. Test...

This paper is aimed at exploring the performance characteristics of a simple reaction hydro turbine for power generation. Using principles of conservation of mass, momentum and energy, the governing equations have been identified for an ideal case of no frictional losses. The paper also...

This paper explores the performance characteristics of a split reaction water turbine. The governing equations are derived by using the principles of conservation of mass, momentum and energy for a practical case, which includes consideration of frictional losses. The optimum diameter for a...

This paper presents an analysis for penstock optimization, for low head microhydro schemes. The intent of the optimization is to minimize capital cost per kilowatt rather than maximize the energy from the site. It is shown that site slope is an important consideration that affects the economics.

Large potential of energy still remains untapped in irrigation canals in central and southern parts of India and other countries. This energy can be utilised to augment the gap between demand and supply. The advantages of low-head canal-based small hydropower (SHP) schemes are that being in a...

This paper is an overview of a program that is in the final stages of developing a modular set of cost-effective microhydro schemes for site heads below those currently serviced by Pelton Wheels. The rationale has been that there is a multitude of viable low-head sites in isolated areas where...

Electrical power is essential in commercial, economic and social investments especially in emergent countries. Hydropower energy has become one of the most suitable and efficient sources of renewable energy, though it has taken more than a century of experience to actually generate efficient...