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Alternative Solutions for Small Hydropower Plants

Author

Listed:
  • Damian Liszka

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, Cracow University of Technology, Warszawska 24 St., 31-155 Cracow, Poland)

  • Zbigniew Krzemianowski

    (Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery of the Polish Academy of Science, Fiszera 14 St., 80-231 Gdansk, Poland)

  • Tomasz Węgiel

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, Cracow University of Technology, Warszawska 24 St., 31-155 Cracow, Poland)

  • Dariusz Borkowski

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, Cracow University of Technology, Warszawska 24 St., 31-155 Cracow, Poland)

  • Andrzej Polniak

    (AQUA-Tech, Lipcowa 64 St., 32-540 Trzebinia, Poland)

  • Konrad Wawrzykowski

    (WODEL, Piłsudskiego 40 St., 67-100 Nowa Sol, Poland)

  • Artur Cebula

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, Cracow University of Technology, Warszawska 24 St., 31-155 Cracow, Poland)

Abstract

Obtaining energy from renewable resources is a worldwide trend in the age of increasing energy demand. Hydropower has some potential in this field, especially for low-power locations. However, construction of such facilities requires high expenses, which is why some attempts at lowering the costs have been made, i.e., by proposing alternative solutions to the classic ones. This paper proposes a selection of options for small hydropower plants (SHP) that lower the investment costs while keeping up profitable operations. The proposed solutions concern simplifying the turbine’s and generator’s integration by installing them in dedicated prefabricated concrete modules. A rare but simple and cheap semi-Kaplan type of turbine with a non-classical spiral inflow is proposed. The turbine operates a permanent magnet (PM)-excited generator, converting the energy at a variable rotational speed. Thanks to this approach, it is possible to simplify the regulation system and eliminate expensive mechanical transmission. However, on the power grid side, a power electronic converter (PEC) must be coupled with the generator. The advantage of this solution compared to the classical ones is that the reliability of power electronics is much higher than that of mechanical systems. This paper presents modeling research on semi-Kaplan turbines’ series development, and a dedicated PM generator is presented as an example of a complete hydro unit with 50 kW power.

Suggested Citation

  • Damian Liszka & Zbigniew Krzemianowski & Tomasz Węgiel & Dariusz Borkowski & Andrzej Polniak & Konrad Wawrzykowski & Artur Cebula, 2022. "Alternative Solutions for Small Hydropower Plants," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-31, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:4:p:1275-:d:745855
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Hendra Hendra & Dhimas Satria & Hernadewita Hernadewita & Yozerizal Yozerizal & Frengki Hardian & Ahmed M. Galal, 2023. "Performance of Generator Translation and Rotation on Stroke Length Drive of the Two-Rod Mechanism in Renewable Energy Power Plant," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-14, March.
    2. Krzemianowski, Zbigniew & Steller, Janusz & Janicki, Waldemar & Góralczyk, Adam, 2025. "Cavitation and runaway experimental research of a very high specific speed low-head model Francis turbine – A case study with emphasis on flow analysis in the draft tube," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 337(C).
    3. Adam Gozdowiak & Maciej Antal, 2025. "A Synchronization of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator Dedicated for Small and Medium Hydroelectric Plants," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-18, April.
    4. Vijayaraja Loganathan & Dhanasekar Ravikumar & Rupa Kesavan & Kanakasri Venkatesan & Raadha Saminathan & Raju Kannadasan & Mahalingam Sudhakaran & Mohammed H. Alsharif & Zong Woo Geem & Junhee Hong, 2022. "A Case Study on Renewable Energy Sources, Power Demand, and Policies in the States of South India—Development of a Thermoelectric Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-29, July.
    5. Pavel Buchatskiy & Stefan Onishchenko & Sergei Petrenko & Semen Teploukhov, 2025. "Methodology for Assessing the Technical Potential of Solar Energy Based on Artificial Intelligence Technologies and Simulation-Modeling Tools," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-25, October.
    6. Kuo-Chen Wu & Jui-Chu Lin & Wen-Te Chang & Chia-Szu Yen & Huang-Jie Fu, 2023. "Research and Analysis of Promotional Policies for Small Hydropower Generation in Taiwan," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-16, June.
    7. Olivier Cleynen & Dennis Powalla & Stefan Hoerner & Dominique Thévenin, 2022. "An Efficient Method for Computing the Power Potential of Bypass Hydropower Installations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-13, April.
    8. Peter Tauš & Martin Beer, 2022. "Evaluation of the Hydropower Potential of the Torysa River and Its Energy Use in the Process of Reducing Energy Poverty of Local Communities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-15, May.
    9. Krzemianowski, Zbigniew & Przybyliński, Tomasz & Karwacki, Jarosław & Tomaszewski, Adam, 2025. "Experimental research of a high specific speed low-head model Francis turbine – A case study with emphasis on flow visualisation under runner using PIV method and energy production analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 334(C).

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