Performance testing of pico hydropower turbine prototype

Abstract

Present day, insufficiency of energy supply is a major concern around the world. Many renewable energy sources are been in used to overcome this problem. Hydropower is one of the most reliable and sustainable energy sources that can generate electricity. Nowadays, pico hydropower are getting more attention than conventional large hydropower plants due to the high expenditure and environmental concerns. Pico hydropower is an alternative solution that offer low cost and high efficient. Due to its cost-effective factor, pico hydropower turbines can be best introduced to remote areas with insufficient electricity power supply like rural areas in Sabah and Sarawak. The purpose of this study is to design and testing a pico hydro turbine. A prototype model for the design concept of the pico hydro turbine with simpler mechanisms has been developed and tested. The prototype is able to generate power approximately to 11.3 V from the performance testing. The overall highest efficiency of the pico hydro turbine based on the test results is 90.45% at 9.84L/min water flow rate. Thus, this prototype can provide enough power to power LED light bulbs and table fan. The tests results find that the design concept of the pico hydro turbine can become a mini electricity generator.