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Effect of Electrical Load and Operating Conditions on the Hydraulic Performance of a 10 kW Pelton Turbine Micro Hydropower Plant

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  • Raúl R. Delgado-Currín

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Fco. Salazar 01145, Temuco 4780000, Chile
    Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universidad de Chile, Beauchef 851, Santiago 8370456, Chile)

  • Williams R. Calderón-Muñoz

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universidad de Chile, Beauchef 851, Santiago 8370456, Chile
    Center for Sustainable Acceleration of Electromobility-CASE, Universidad de Chile, Beauchef 851, Santiago 8370456, Chile
    Energy Center, Universidad de Chile, Beauchef 851, Santiago 8370456, Chile)

  • J. C. Elicer-Cortés

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universidad de Chile, Beauchef 851, Santiago 8370456, Chile)

  • Renato Hunter-Alarcón

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Fco. Salazar 01145, Temuco 4780000, Chile)

Abstract

Micro-hydroelectric power plants play a fundamental role in microgrid systems and rural electrification projects based on non-conventional renewable energies, where the stability of the electricity supply and load variability are critical factors for efficient operation. This work focuses on analyzing the impact of electrical load variation on the performance of a 10 kW micro hydroelectric power plant equipped with a Pelton turbine coupled to an electric generator. The main objective is to characterize the behavior of the turbine–generator system under different operating conditions, evaluating the hydraulic performance of the turbine, the electrical performance of the generator, and the overall performance of the micro power plant. Key variables such as flow rate, pressure, shaft speed, mechanical torque, current, and electrical voltage are monitored, considering the effect of electrical consumption on each of them. The experimental methodology includes tests at different electrical loads connected to the generator, using the spear system, which allows the flow rate in the injector to be modulated. The results indicate that reducing the flow rate using the spear increases the torque on the shaft, as well as the electrical current and voltage, for the same energy demand. Likewise, it is observed that the electrical efficiency of the generator remains stable for shaft speeds above 400 rpm, while the overall efficiency of the turbine–generator improves by up to 25% at this same speed. However, a voltage drop of more than 8% is recorded when the electrical power consumption increases from 3 kW to 9 kW, which demonstrates the sensitivity of the system to load variations. This work provides a comprehensive view of the dynamic behavior of micro-hydraulic power plants under realistic operating conditions, proposing an experimental methodology that can be applied to the design, optimization, and control of small-scale hydroelectric systems. These results provide novel experimental evidence on how electrical load variations affect the global performance of P -based micro hydropower systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Raúl R. Delgado-Currín & Williams R. Calderón-Muñoz & J. C. Elicer-Cortés & Renato Hunter-Alarcón, 2025. "Effect of Electrical Load and Operating Conditions on the Hydraulic Performance of a 10 kW Pelton Turbine Micro Hydropower Plant," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-16, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:16:p:4413-:d:1727573
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Williams, A.A. & Simpson, R., 2009. "Pico hydro – Reducing technical risks for rural electrification," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(8), pages 1986-1991.
    2. Cobb, Bryan R. & Sharp, Kendra V., 2013. "Impulse (Turgo and Pelton) turbine performance characteristics and their impact on pico-hydro installations," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 959-964.
    3. Ki-Ha Kim & Dong-Hyun Kim & Suk-Jin Hong & Sang-Myung Lee, 2025. "Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis and Validation with Field Test of 1 MW Hydropower Turbine System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-20, January.
    4. Elgammi, Moutaz & Hamad, Abduljawad Ashour, 2022. "A feasibility study of operating a low static pressure head micro pelton turbine based on water hammer phenomenon," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 1-16.
    5. Zeng, Chongji & Xiao, Yexiang & Luo, Yongyao & Zhang, Jin & Wang, Zhengwei & Fan, Honggang & Ahn, Soo-Hwang, 2018. "Hydraulic performance prediction of a prototype four-nozzle Pelton turbine by entire flow path simulation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 270-282.
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