SMALL AND MICRO‐HYDRO POWER SYSTEM
AE 785 04

Course Objective:
After the completion of this course students will be able to locate and predict the small and micro‐hydro power sources for the fulfilment of requirement of energy in Agricultural Engineering activities in rural areas. This course also emphasizes in review, system design and development, commissioning and testing of such rural micro‐hydro power station and supply electrical energy to operate tools, equipments and machineries used in agricultural works.

1. Review of Small and Micro‐Hydropower Systems in Nepal(2 hours)
1. Importance of small and Micro‐hydropower Systems in Nepal
2. History of development of Small Hydropower Systems
3. Components of Small Hydropower Systems
4. Working Principle of Small and Micro‐hydropower Systems


2. System Design for Small and Micro Hydropower(6 hours)
1. Pre‐Feasibility and Feasibility Survey
2. Hydrological Study
3. Assessment of Capacity and Demand
4. Design of Systems Components: Headwork, Headrace Cannel,
   
1. Desilting Basin, fore‐bay, Daily Pond age Basin, Spillways,
2. Penstock and Power house


3. Mechanical Components in Small an Micro Hydropower System(6 hours)
1. Turbines for Small and Micro Hydropower:
   
1. Types of Turbines
2. Specific Speed
3. Suction Head
4. Cavitations
5. Turbine Governor
2. Selection of Turbine:
   
1. Turbine Efficiency
2. System Efficiency
3. Performance Curve and Turbine Selection


4. Electrical Components in Small and Micro‐hydropower System(15 hours)
1. Driving and Control System:
   
1. Transformers
2. Load Controllers
3. Voltage Regulators
4. Protection System– Current Cutout and Metering
2. Transmission and Distribution System:
   
1. Review of Electric Circuits
2. Components of Transmission and Distribution System
3. Generators
4. Switchgears and Other Protective Measures
3. Performance of Small and Micro‐hydro Power System:
   
1. Quality of Generation and transmission Reliability


5. Commissioning and Testing(3 hours)
1. Planning
2. Installations
3. Operation
4. Commissioning and Testing
6. Promotion of Small and Micro‐hydro Power based Electrification(2 hours)
1. Load Factor
2. Unit cost of electricity
3. Tariff Setting
4. Financial


7. Repair and Maintenance of Small and Micro‐hydro Power System(3 hours)
1. Maintenance check list
2. Repair and maintenance schedule for mechanical components
3. Repair and maintenance schedule for electrical components


8. Financial Evaluation(6 hours)
1. Load factor
2. Unit cost of electricity
3. Tariff setting
4. Financial analysis of small and hydropower system


9. Promotion of Small and Micro‐hydro Power System in Nepal(2 hours)
1. Existing policies and strategies
2. Institutional arrangement for small and micro hydropower promotion
3. Manufactures of components of small and micro hydropower Nepal

Practical:

1. Evaluation of performance characteristics of turbine at low head high discharge and high head low discharge.
2. Evaluation of efficiency of cross flow turbines.
3. Design calculation for sizing of small and micro hydropower system.
4. Evaluation of performance of peltric set.
5. Financial evaluation of small and micro hydropower system.
6. Study visit: Study visit to operational small and micro hydropower system in adjoining areas/vicinity if available (Involving intensive study of hydraulic, mechanical and electrical components of the system. The students required to submit a mini‐ project report based on design, operation, management and financial aspects of the system).

References:

1. Hervey, Adam. 1993. Micro‐hydro Design Manual. Intermediate Technology Publication, U.K.
2. ICIMOD. 1999. Manuals on Micro‐hydropower for Installation. Commissioning Repair and Maintenance, ICIMOD, Kathmandu, Nepal.
3. Inver, Allen R. 1986. Micro‐hydro Source Book. NRECA International Foundation, Washington D.C.

Evaluation Scheme:
The questions will cover all the chapters in the Syllabus. The evaluation scheme will be as indicated in the table below.

* There may be minor deviation on mark distribution