Low head hydro power

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The Low Hydropower head application uses a tidal or stream stream with a head of 20 meters (66 ft) or less to generate energy. This app may not need to throw or hold water to make a hydraulic head. Using drop in rivers or tidal currents to create electricity can provide a renewable energy source that will have minimal impact on the environment.

Video Low head hydro power

Since no dams are required, low-head hydro can dramatically reduce the following:

• Security risks (having a dam), avoiding the risk of banjir bandang caused by dam being broken
• Environmental and ecological complications
  • Need for fish ladder
• Regulatory issues
• Initial cost of construction engineering
• Maintenance
  • Eliminates mud accumulation.

However, low-head units are certainly much smaller in capacity than conventional large hydro turbines, requiring much more to build for certain annual energy production, with some small unit cost of turbines/generators offset by lower civil construction costs. Just as for large hydro, not every site can be developed economically and ecologically; the site may be too far from the customer for transmission line installation, or may be located in a highly sensitive area for wildlife.

Another potential type of potential low-power hydro power is dynamic tidal power, a new method and not applied to extract power from tidal movements. Although structures such as dams are required, there is no closed area, and therefore most of the benefits of 'hydro bendless' are maintained, while providing a large number of power plants.

Maps Low head hydro power

Hydrokinetic Turbines

The "Hydrokinetic" turbine is an integrated turbine generator to generate electricity in a free flow environment. There is no need for dams or diversions. The Domestic Energy System has coined the term "Instream Power Technology" or IEGT puts turbines in rivers, man-made channels, tides, or ocean currents. This turbine uses a stream of water to change it, thus generating electricity for power grids in nearby soil. Actually, IEGT is like planting windmills in water and environmentally friendly. While hydrokinetics include generations of ocean waves, currents and waves, many researchers believe the most practical applications in the near future are likely to be in rivers and streams.

The Domestic Energy System has deployed 25 kilowatts hydrokinetic turbines in a canal outside Yakima Washington. They have the ability to deploy multiple turbines along rivers, canals, or waterways to maximize their energy harvest with minimal impact on existing channels. The two main benefits of using hydrokinetics are the reliability and predictability of water delivery systems. Unlike wind, water delivery is well planned in advance and therefore utilities can accurately predict when more power will come online. A 35-kilowatt hydrokinetic turbine has been installed on the Mississippi River near Hastings, Minnesota. Tidal turbines under water are driven by tidal currents. If a viable river and estuarine turbine location is made into a hydroelectric site "the researchers estimate [e] that rivers and estuaries [the United States] can provide up to 130,000 gigawatt-hours per year - about half of the country's annual output"

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Low head turbine type

Turbines suitable for use in very low head applications differ from the type of Francis, propeller, Kaplan, or Pelton used in larger, more conventional hydro.

Different types of low head turbine applications are:

• Axial Flow of Turbine Rotor: This type of turbine consists of a concentric hub with radial blades, resembling a wind mill. Either built in an electric generator or a hydraulic pump that turns an electric generator on land provides electricity.
• Open Center Fan Turbine : This turbine consists of two donut-shaped turbines that rotate in opposite direction. This in turn runs a hydraulic pump which in turn drives a standard power generator.
• Helical Turbine : This type of turbine has a hydrofoil section that keeps the turbine oriented to the water flow. The tip of the blades swirled in the direction of the water.
• Cycloidic Turbine : The cycloidic turbine resembles a rowing wheel, where the water flow spins the wheel with lift and drag force optimized. The propeller lift or fanning looks like a giant Venetian curtain.
• Hydroboat blades : Made to oscillate by flowing water, resulting in electricity.
• Turbine Generator FFP : This type of turbine uses a permanent generator mounted on the rim mount, direct drive generator with front and rear diffuser and one moving part (rotor) to maximize efficiency.
• Gravity Vortex Power Plant : This type of hydroelectric power plant uses a gravitational force of gravity, which is only in the lower head.

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Installation of turbines in river stream

The turbine can be installed in many ways, some banks use pole driven to the bottom of the river or installed in existing river structures such as bridge docks. These turbines operate in "free flow" environments that do not require containment or river diversion. This approach does not disrupt the natural ecosystem or interfere with aquatic and marine life. Turbine generators can be attached to abutment bridges or piles, which minimizes disturbance to the bottom of the river.

The turbine will be deployed in a composition of several units not less than 15 meters (49 feet) in which the location, depth, and infrastructure requirements are appropriate. The exact depth and distance is determined based on site conditions, including current flow and water depth. Since the turbine does not block the drains, and water that passes through the device is not exposed to high pressure, the system is designed not to block or damage fish or other wildlife. The entire structure is installed at a depth that avoids any disturbance with the use of recreational water resources or navigation. The electricity will be transmitted by cable to the conversion equipment located on the beach. The conversion equipment will convert power from DC to AC, adjust the voltage and connect to the power grid. This approach would be more suitable for river currents where streams are in one direction compared to coastal seas.

The competing idea is to suspend turbines from floating barges. Suspended turbines from floating barges can accommodate flow changes. Barges can be deployed and make the generator line up faster with less disruption to the bottom of the river. A clear disadvantage to the barge system will disrupt the navigation and use of recreational waterways. This system does have some advantages, the installation cost may be less depending on the condition of the river basin and the maintenance and repair will be easier. Concerns about the impact on seasonal flooding and ice conditions should also be considered with the barge system.

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Tidal power

Tidal currents occur because the masses move water with the velocity and direction caused by the gravitational force of the sun and moon, and the centrifugal force and inertia in the waters of the earth. Because of its proximity to the earth, the moon produces about twice the sun's carrying capacity. The gravitational force of the sun and moon and the centrifugal force/inertia caused by the rotation of the earth around the center of the earth-moon system mass create two "bulges" in Earth's oceans: one closest to the moon, and the other on the opposite side of the globe. (CNW Group, 2008). This kind of energy is unique and different from traditional water power that has existed for centuries. No need to build a dam. Basically turbines are trapped in water that flows naturally. As the water flowed, he turned the turbine. It's converted into electricity.

Tidal basin locations can also be developed using low-flow turbine technology as well. These areas are limited to sea-side locations and the difficulty associated with turning the turbine to adjust to the direction of tidal flow should also be taken into account. It seems that turbines hung under floating barges would be better suited for tidal applications. The barge itself can be rotated to face the direction of tidal flow. It may also be more difficult to provide areas for power conversion and connection to the power grid considering the limited area that can be developed to take advantage of tidal currents. Several pilot projects are underway to study the feasibility of the tidal basin location. Tidal turbines are a new technology used for tidal energy. They are similar to wind turbines and are arranged under water in a row. They work best in areas with strong currents. They are also the least environmentally destructive of all tidal power technologies, as they do not disrupt the migration pathway and its impact on the bottom of the basin less because there is no construction required in the waterway itself.

In order for tidal power to function properly, it takes a difference of pairs of at least 5 meters (16 feet). Unfortunately there are only a few places where this happens. This means that tidal power plants can not be built anywhere. There are only a few sites on Earth with this type of tidal range. The pilot project has begun in New York City. In the past four years, the federal commission has approved nearly a dozen permits to study tidal sites. Applications for about 40 others, all filed in 2006, are under review. No one has applied for a development permit, Miller said. The most remote site in the test is located on the East River of New York, between the boroughs of Manhattan and Queens, where Verdant Power plans to install two underwater turbines this month as part of a small pilot project.

Oceans and tides can provide unlimited emission-free renewable energy supplies. Because tidal and river currents are everywhere in the world and are constantly flowing or highly predictable, converting energy in these currents into electricity can provide predictable, reliable power supplies and, in some cases, to basic power supplies or remote sites in many parts of the world. 70% of the world's population live within 320 kilometers (200 miles) of the ocean. Thus, ocean currents can be an important part of the world's energy future.

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Environmental impact of low-head power

A number of concerns have been raised about the environmental impact of river currents and tidal devices. Among the most important are:

• Marine life. Concerns have arisen about the dangers of rotating propellers for marine animals, such as seals and fish, from waves and tidal devices. There is no evidence that this is a significant problem. Such devices may actually be beneficial to local fauna by creating non-fishery shelter and structures such as retaining devices can create new reefs for fish cultivation.
• Sea bed. By changing the waveform and tidal current, the device will certainly have an effect, for example, on sediment deposition. Research conducted to date seems to suggest that the impact will be insignificant, and perhaps even positive, for example by helping to slow coastal erosion. (This is primarily concerned with evidence that waves have steadily increased in size in the past.) The sea in the device lee will almost certainly be quieter than usual, but, it has been suggested, this will help in creating more areas for activities like water sports or yachting.
• Landscape. Most of the waves and tidal energy devices will not be visible from the shore. They will have no visual and sound pollution problems generated by older wind turbine versions. The main impact may be of the vast transmission paths needed to take energy from the shoreline to the end user. This issue should be addressed, perhaps using an underground transmission line.
• Fishing and shipping activities. The tidal wave and tide device will almost certainly require an area to be covered for fishing and shipping activities. The placement of such devices should be negotiated, therefore, with relevant local groups (eg, fishermen), as well as with national and international bodies. (Science and Technology, 2001)

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Implementation and rules

Government regulation

Most government regulations derive from the use of water channels. Most of the low head turbine water systems are smaller engineering projects than traditional water turbines. Even so, one needs to obtain permission from state and federal government agencies before applying this system [1]. Some of the obstacles faced with this system in larger waters is ensuring the waterways can still be used for ships and ensuring that fish migration routes are not disturbed.

Government subsidy

US government subsidies can be obtained for the easiest implementation of small-scale hydro facilities through federal grants, which are green energy grants [2]. Specific example is the Renewable Electricity Production Tax Credit. This is a federal tax credit that aims to promote renewable energy resources. To qualify, the water source must have a minimum capacity of 150 kW. This subsidy is given for the first ten years of production. The organization receives $ 0.011/kWh. [3]

Public perception

Since this is a sustainable source of energy, it does not harm the water source they use and visually it does not damage the landscape, they are highly respected in the public sphere [4]. However, there is little public and industrial knowledge about this system because they are still being tested to "answer real-world questions". Therefore, supporters and producers of this system have tried to bring them to public knowledge [5]

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See also

• Population Power
• Tidal Rocks Power Project Prostron
• Power Plants
• Micro hydro
• Renewable energy
• River hydroelectricity

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References

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External links

• https://web.archive.org/web/20101129052257/http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/RENEW/Hydro/Hydro_index.shtml#Regulation
• http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/energy_in_brief/energy_subsidies.cfm
• http://www.cascade-environmental.ca/files/Achieving_Business_Exellence_May_2009.pdf
• http://www.microhydropower.com/
• https://web.archive.org/web/20130317000437/http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/incentive.cfm?Incentive_Code=US13F
• http://amppartners.org/pdf/project-reports/November_2011_Phase_1.pdf

Source of the article : Wikipedia