1Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Agnel Institute of Technology & Design, Assagao, Goa, India
2Department of Mechanical Engineering, Agnel Institute of Technology & Design, Assagao, Goa, India
Online published on 31 October, 2017.
The depletion of fossil fuels has led to the search for alternate energy sources. Also with the onset of climate change due to global warming and rise in pollution levels, renewable energy sources are one of the best avenues for sustainable progress in the future. Hydropower provides a vast potential for tapping energy. India is blessed with immense amount of hydro-electric potential and ranks 5th in terms of exploitable hydro-potential on global scenario. Thus there is a need to develop a simple low cost, low head hydro turbine.
This paper aims at exploring the performance characteristics of a split micro hydro reaction turbine while also attempting to retain its low cost and simple construction. The turbine is meant to operate in rural underdeveloped areas that do not have power supply to generate electricity for lighting or small machinery. To a certain extent, it can even be used as a supplement to the main grid supply during shutdowns or power outages. The turbine is classified as a “micro hydro ”type and is designed to run on the head provided by small rivers, streams, creeks.
hydro-power, split reaction turvbine
