Electronic control of a micro-hydroelectric plant

• Main Authors: Agustin, Joel Jonas R., David, Jose Crizaldo N., Franco, Frederick C., Valencia, Antonino H.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1995
• Subjects: Electronic control; Hydroelectric power systems > Control; Electrical and Electronics
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/7193
• Institution: De La Salle University

The goal of the proposed project is to study an alternative means of electrification which is appropriate, particularly in rural areas. Since may provinces have the potential to put up micro-hydroelectric power plants, this is going to helpful in easing the country's power crisis. There are many effective ways of generating power. It is not advisable to use fossil-fueled, nuclear and geothermal power plants because the construction of the source of power is too expensive. Two of the more attractive energy sources because of their economic and environmental advantages are solar and hydroelectric plants. For the technology available, especially in rural areas, hydroelectric plants are more practical as of the present. It is inexpensive since it only uses the energy from moving water to generate electricity. Large hydroelectric plants used here and abroad have some common parts needed to transform mechanical energy from running water to electrical energy. A dam or an artificial lake is formed to raise the water level which is actually the raw material from which electricity is produced. The energy of this running water is converted by the hydraulic turbines into mechanical energy. Then, the mechanical energy from the turbines will be used ti run generators that will produce electric power. Generators may be classified into two type namely: synchronous and asynchronous generators. For the synchronous AC generators, the armature is steady while the field rotates and its speed of rotation is proportional to the frequency. Generators like these are provided with automatic regulators to maintain voltage constant. Whereas in the induction generator, the output voltage is dependent on the variations of the load making it unstable. However, the induction generator is less costly and robust in construction. This proposed project will emphasize on the electronic component that will be used to maximize the power produced by the generator by diverting it to other uses when it is not needed. An additional circuit will be used to control the prime mover that is driving the generator.