Small Hydropower Plants with Variable Speed Operation—An Optimal Operation Curve Determination

Dariusz Borkowski and Marek Majdak
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Dariusz Borkowski: Institute of Electromechanical Energy Conversion, Cracow University of Technology, 31-155 Krakow, Poland
Marek Majdak: Department of Energy, Cracow University of Technology, 31-155 Krakow, Poland

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 23, 1-20

Abstract: In recent times, much attention has been paid to small hydropower plants (SHPs) with variable speed operation and different control techniques. Control complexity in SHPs is mainly caused by specific steady-state features of the water turbine, the long time constants of the hydraulic system and significant seasonal and/or aging-related deterioration in the system performance. This paper presents the most important features of the turbine model from a control point of view. It classifies control techniques for SHPs with variable speed operation in terms of the turbine type and SHP function (run-of-the-river and reservoir). Furthermore, various control methods are analysed taking into account the complexity of the method, dynamics, adaptability and applicability. The novelty of this study is the proposal of a simple, universal analytical formula, which, based on the basic dimensions of the turbine, determines the optimal operating curve. The proposed formula is verified on a real SHP 150 kW by comparison with measurements in the form of operational characteristics. The analysis of the annual energy production confirms the effectiveness of the approximation precision, yielding only 1% production losses, and shows an advantage of variable speed over constant speed in annual energy production of 16%.

Keywords: AC-AC converters; control design; hydroelectric power generation; power generation control; hydraulic systems; variable speed drives (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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