IOE Syllabus – Basics of Micro Hydropower Plant

Course Objectives

To develops an idea of effectively generating electrical energy from hydraulic energy using micro hydropower system. To become familiar with technical aspects of MHP plant which includes civil components, mechanical components, electrical components and transmission system. To become familiar with management and various application of MHP plant, failure as well as sustainability of MHP plant. To give concepts for the evaluation of MHP plant, basic concepts of financial analysis. To acquire some knowledge on future prospects of MHP project in Nepal.

1.1.Power from water

1.2.Classification of hydropower and end uses

1.3.System components of Mini and Micro Hydropower

1.4.Introduction of Hydropower plant in Nepal

1.5.Micro Hydropower plant in Nepal

1.6.Policy of Nepal Government and concerned authorities

1.7.Potential Hydropower plant projects identified in Nepal

1.8.Water management

2.1.Preparation for site survey

2.1.1.Map study of site

2.1.2.Meteorological data analysis

2.2.Site survey

2.2.1.Head measurement

2.2.2.Flow measurement

3.1.Main component of MHP plant

3.1.1.Intake

3.1.2.Canal

3.1.3.De-sanding basin

3.1.4.Spillway

3.1.5.Fore-bay

3.1.6.Penstock

3.1.7.Powerhouse

3.1.8.Tailrace

3.2.Suitable condition for MHP

3.3.Potential power from MHP

3.4.Turbine

3.4.1.Introduction

3.4.2.Types of turbine

3.4.3.Uses of turbine

3.5.Types of generator

3.5.1.Synchronous generator

3.5.2.Induction generator

3.6.Controllers for MHP generator

3.6.1.Control panel

3.6.2.Load control governor

3.7.Transmission and distribution lines and service connection

3.8.Plant efficiency

3.9.Load factor

3.10.Operation and maintenance of MHP plant

3.10.1.Structured system for operation and maintenance

3.10.2.Maintenance of different parts of MHP

3.10.3.Operation of different parts of MHP plant

4.1.Introduction of energy management

4.2.Payment by metering

4.3.Demand limiter

4.4.Pre-payment metering

4.5.Time diversity for high load uses

5.1.Application of MHP

5.2.Agro processing

5.3.Battery charging

5.4.Lighting houses

5.5.Small scale industries

6.1.Overview of failure of MHP plant

6.2.Insufficient site studies

6.3.Effects of floods and land slides

6.4.Uneconomical canal length

6.5.Insufficient structures for service and repair

6.6.Inability to pay tariffs by targeted population

7.1.Overview of sustainability of MHP plant

7.2.Technically feasible

7.3.Social acceptance

7.4.Community management

7.5.Financially viable

8.1.Overview of project evaluation and report preparation

8.1.1.Plant factors

8.1.2.Unit energy cost

8.1.3.Cost benefit decisions

8.2.Financial analysis

8.3.Pre-feasibility and feasibility study

8.3.1.Pre-feasibility

8.3.2.Feasibility study

8.4.Problems, recommendations and areas of future prospective of MHP plant in Nepal

Practical:

Practical means project work and report have to be submitted at the end of the course. The report should be around 20-30 pages plus appendix.

References:

1.Adam Harvey, “Micro Hydro design Manual”, Intermediate Technology Publication.

2.Win Hulsher and Peter Frankel, “The Power Guide, Intermediate Technology Publication.

3.“Manuals on MHP for Installation and Commissioning, Maintenance and Repair, Operation and Management”, ICIMOD.

4.Dr. Rajendra Shrestha, “Basics of micro hydropower (AE 123)”, Course Manual for Department of Alternative Energy Tumba College of Technology Rwanda, 2009

5.Dr. Rajendra Shrestha, “Reference Book on Beginner’s Micro Hydropower Plant”, Graphic International Nepal.

Evaluation Scheme:

The questions will cover all the chapters of the syllabus. The evaluation scheme will be as indicated in the table below: