The concept of hydropower energy starts from mid 1800s. After the passage of time, it becomes one of the most important and much necessary sources of harnessing energy because it is also declared as renewable energy. All countries of the world want to adopt this method to harness energy. Due to their importance of them it is necessary to make it advanced to reduce environmental impacts and increase efficiency. There are several advanced hydropower plant technologies that are being developed and implemented in many countries of the world. These advanced technologies are distinguished into six groups.
I) Increasing hydropower flexibility.
Modern hydraulic turbines are designed to support the energy efficiency of the plant. Modern hydraulic power plants market demands much energy from hydropower plants. As there are distinct types of atmospheres and environments. Due to atmospheric changes the plant’s efficiency is affected. Because when the plant is installed the flow of water, pressure of air and others change but after the passage of time all these things change. But the installed plant gives high efficiency on earlier conditions. The change in conditions highly affected the production of energy. To overcome that issue flexible hydraulic power plant technology is introduced. With the help of this technology the engineers or operators can easily set the plant in current situations to get high efficiency. There are two types of hydroulic control systems.
Passive Control System:
Passive control technologies do not require auxiliary power to run. Different passive control methods with its advantages and drawbacks are given below.
Passive Control Methods | Advantages | Drawbacks |
stabilizer fins | diminishing the draft tube surge. | local hydraulic losses, effective to limited regimes |
J-grooves | diminishing the draft tube surge | additional local hydraulic losses, effective to limited regimes |
adjustable diaphragm | diminishing the draft tube surges on wide range regimes | additional hydraulic losses |
water injection with flow feedback method (FFM) | diminishing the draft tube surge on wide range regimes, no added volumetric losses, self-regulating, | not found yet |
stator installed at once downstream to the runner | diminishing the draft tube surges | additional hydraulic losses, effective to limited regimes |
Active Control System:
Active control technologies require external energy to run. Different active control methods with their advantages and drawbacks are given below.
Active Control Methods | Advantages | Drawbacks |
air injection/admission | diminishing the draft tube surges on wide range regimes | additional losses, amplification of the self-excitation at a few operating points |
tangential water injection at the cone wall | diminishing the draft tube surge | additional volumetric losses |
axial water injection with high/low velocity | diminishing the draft tube surge | additional volumetric losses |
water injection with flow feedback method and additional energy (FFM+) | diminishing the draft tube surge | not identified yet |
water jet with tangential component | diminishing the draft tube surge | additional volumetric losses |
inverses modulate water jet | diminishing the draft tube surge, modulated frequency targets a specific value | additional volumetric losses |
two-phase air-water injection | diminishing the draft tube surge on wide range regimes | additional losses |
water injection at the trailing edge of the wicket gates | diminishing RSI effects | additional volumetric losses |
II) Generators with current-controlled rotors
Hydro generators with current-controlled rotors are a type of hydroelectric generator that uses a rotor that is controlled by the flow of current to regulate its speed and output. These generators are typically used in hydroelectric power plants, which generate electricity by harnessing the power of falling water. The rotor of a hydro generator is connected to a turbine, which is driven by the flow of water. As the turbine turns, it rotates the rotor, which generates electricity. By controlling the flow of current through the rotor, the speed and output of the generator can be regulated. This can be useful in situations where the flow of water is variable, as it allows the generator to maintain a constant output. Some distinct types of them are.
1. Synchronous generators: These are the most common type of hydro generators and use a rotating magnetic field to generate electricity. The rotor of a synchronous generator is typically an electromagnet, and the current flowing through it can be controlled to regulate the speed and output of the generator.
2. Asynchronous generators: Also known as induction generators, these hydro generators use an alternating current (AC) rotor that is connected to a turbine. The rotor is not directly driven by the turbine, but rather generates electricity through induction as it rotates in the magnetic field created by the stator (stationary part of the generator). Asynchronous generators can be controlled by varying the frequency of the current flowing through the rotor.
3. Permanent magnet generators: These hydro generators use permanent magnets in the rotor to generate electricity. The output of a permanent magnet generator can be controlled by adjusting the current flowing through the rotor.
4. Variable speed hydro generators: Variable-speed hydro generators are hydroelectric generators that can operate at a range of speeds, rather than a fixed speed like traditional hydro generators. This allows them to be more flexible and efficient in producing electricity.
There are a few different ways that variable-speed hydro generators can work, depending on the specific design of the generator. In some cases, the generator may be connected to a turbine that can operate at different speeds, depending on the flow rate of the water. This allows the generator to produce electricity at a range of frequencies, depending on the needs of the grid.
In other cases, the generator may be connected to a motor that can operate at different speeds. This allows the generator to produce electricity at a range of frequencies, depending on the needs of the grid.
Regardless of the specific design, variable-speed hydro generators are able to adjust their output to match the demand for electricity, making them more efficient and effective at producing power.
According to the demand of current energy markets, the storage energy technologies are in demand. Pumped storage hydro power plant is one of them. Variable speed hydro generators are the best technology for pumped storage power plants because it can fastly convert from pumped motor to the rotating turbine. Due to which the efficiency also increases, and the speed does not affect the output of the plant.
III) Hydro power digitalization
Hydro power digitalization refers to the digital technologies which are used to improve the plant’s efficiency and reduce the losses and reduce the environmental impact. These technologies are used to make reliable and much more efficient power plants. These technologies include installation of sensors, data analytics and automation technologies to optimize the operation of the plant and take much more efficient and reliable outputs.
1. Sensors: These can be used to monitor various parameters, such as water levels, turbine speeds, and generator outputs, in real-time. This data can be used to optimize the operation of the plant and improve energy production.
2. Data analytics: Advanced data analytics tools can be used to analyze substantial amounts of data generated by the plant, such as sensor data and operational data, to identify trends and patterns that can be used to improve the efficiency of the plant.
3. Automation technologies: These can be used to automate various tasks in the plant, such as the control of turbines and generators, to improve the efficiency and reliability of the plant.
IV) Small Scale Hydropower Technologies
The small-scale hydro power plants are the technological plants that are used to generate electricity by small scale falling waters. These are mostly used in urban or suburban areas where there are no resources of high falling waters. These are suitable plants for remote and off-grid locations. Here are some examples of small-scale hydropower technologies.
1. Micro-hydro systems: These are small-scale hydropower systems that use the natural flow of a river or stream to generate electricity. They typically have a capacity of up to 100 kW, and can be used to power homes, businesses, or communities in remote or off-grid locations.
2. Pico-hydro systems: These are even smaller-scale hydropower systems, with a capacity of up to 5 kW. They can be used to power a single home or small business in an off-grid location, or as a supplementary source of electricity in an urban or suburban setting.
3. Hydrokinetic systems: These systems generate electricity from the energy of moving water, such as waves or tides, rather than from the fall of water. They can be used to generate electricity in coastal or offshore locations, or in rivers and streams with a strong current.
4. Hydraulic ram pumps: These pumps use the energy of falling water to lift water from a lower to a higher elevation, without the use of electricity. They can be used to provide a reliable source of water in remote or off-grid locations and can also be used to generate electricity as a byproduct of the pumping process.
V) Fish Friendly Hydropower Technology
Fish friendly hydropower technology is designed and installed in many hydropower systems to protect the natural environment of the fishes and their habitats. This technology helps to increase the safety of environments and promote the clean and renewable form of energy.
Here are a few examples of fish-friendly hydropower technologies:
1. Fish passage facilities: These facilities allow fish to pass through or around a dam or hydroelectric power plant, without being injured or impeded. This can include fish ladders, which provide a series of pools or steps for fish to climb over the dam, or fish bypass systems, which allow fish to pass through a canal or channel around the dam.
2. Fish screens: These are screens or filters that are installed in the intake of a hydroelectric power plant to prevent fish from being drawn into the plant and injured by the turbines. Fish screens can be designed to allow small fish and other aquatic organisms to pass through, while preventing larger fish from entering the intake.
3. Turbine design: Some hydroelectric power plants use specialized turbine designs that are less damaging to fish. For example, some turbines use a slower moving, more rounded blade design that is less likely to cause injury to fish.
4. Environmental monitoring: Many hydroelectric power plants also implement environmental monitoring programs to track the impact of the plant on fish populations and their habitats. This can help to identify and address any potential problems, and to ensure that the plant is operating in a sustainable and responsible manner.
These are some of the most advanced mechanisms of hydropower plant technology. By using these technologies, hydropower plants become more reliable and become more efficient. It can also reduce loss and the impacts of these plants on local as well as aquatic environment also reduces, and it becomes one of the cleanest and most renewable form of energy. Most of these technologies are in operation.
No comments:
Post a Comment