Elective II

Micro Hydro Power (MHP) System Design

Lecture 2
Iswor Bajracharya

3. Planning
3.1 Data & Reference to Consider for Planning
A. Hydrograph and Flow Duration Curve
Hydrograph is a graph showing the discharge with respect to
the day or month in a year. It shows how the flow varies
throughout the year.
Hydrograph can be converted into Flow Duration Curve
(FDC). FDC provides the discharge data necessary for the
design of the plant size.

3. Planning
B. Plant Factor and Load Factor
Plant Factor or capacity factor is very important for hydropower
planning. It is defined as the ratio of the energy actually produced
by the plant for any given period to the energy it would be
capable of producing at its full name plate capacity for that period
of time.

Where,
Qm = Average discharge
Qd = Design discharge
For MHP, the optimum plant factor is generally taken 80 to 100 %.
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3. Planning
3.2 Selection of Location for Civil Structure
3.2.1 Location of Intake
Care must be taken while selecting the location of intake for
MHP . Otherwise, the cost of the project may increase. The
points to be considered are:
1) River Channel Alignment: For MHP, the appropriate section
to construct the intake structure is place where the channel is
as straight as possible to ensure the steady and smooth flow of
water .
2) Stability of Hillside Slope: The presence of a landslide or
weak slope near an intake can damage the intake structure .
3) Use of existing civil structure: For MHP, the use of existing
civil structure such as intake facility for irrigation can reduce
the construction cost.
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3. Planning
4) Intake Volume and Flood Water Level: while selecting the
location for the intake, the required volume of water and flood
water level must be considered because usually the intake weir is
located at a narrow section of river to reduce the construction
cost.
5) Use of natural topographical features: The use of naturally
formed pool for water intake will not only help in the cost
reduction but also conserving the waterfront environment,
including the riverside landscape and riparian ecosystem.
6) Site Conditions for Settling Basin:
7) Use of River Water for Other Purpose: Water intake for
agricultural or other purposes should be considered so that the
amount of water for power generation will not affect the present
use of river water.
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3. Planning
3.2.2 Headrace Route
1) Topography: A careful survey of the topography of the
headrace route of a micro-hydropower system is necessary
since the headrace is usually an exposed structure. When an
open channel is to be constructed on a hillside, proper
investigation as to the gradient or slope of the headrace route
must be done. If a valley or a ridge exists along the headrace
route, the actual route should be selected after examining the
best route (siphon for a valley section; open excavation or
culvert for an elevated ridge section).
2) Ground Stability: The ground stability of the headrace route
must be carefully examined to avoid incidents of loss of the
waterway due to slope collapse in the case of the ground-type
(exposed) headrace.
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3. Planning
3.2.3 Location of Head Tank/ Forbay
1) Topographical and geological conditions: The head tank is often
located at a highly stable ground consisting of hard rock, etc. The
possibility of minimal excavation work, including that for the
penstock, offers favorable condition for selection of the site for
head tank.
3.2.4 Penstock Route
In general, the optimum penstock is as short, straight and steep as
practicable and has a continuous downward gradient. The points to
be considered are:
1) Accessibility: The route should be accessible to personnel and
equipment required for pipe installation, inspection and maintenance
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3. Planning
2) Soil Conditions: Soils along the pipeline should be examined to
identify rock outcroppings, soft or unstable soils .
3) Natural or Man-made Obstructions: These include trees,
roadways, buildings, stream crossings etc.
4) Gradient: The penstock is best routed to take advantage of the
natural downward gradient. If the line cannot be located to have
a constant gradient, an air relief /vacuum relief valve is required
at every high point and drain valve at every local low point.
5) Buried or Exposed Installation: A buried penstock has
advantage over exposed installation such as anchoring and
supporting pipe are simplified, physical damage to the pipe from
falling rocks and trees is prevented. But this installation is
expensive and difficult during maintenance.
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3. Planning
3.2.5 Location of Power House
The following points should be considered in the selection of the
powerhouse location:
1) Accessibility: Should be located at a site with easy access.
2) Condition of the Foundation: Foundation should be strong
enough to withstand the installation of electro-mechanical
equipment. For MHP, compacted gravel layer may be
sufficient.
3) Flood Water Level: The location of the powerhouse must
avoid the flood level water.
4) Installation Conditions for Auxiliary Facilities: There should
be sufficient space available for the installation of substation
and transmission line.
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3. Planning
3.2.6 Location of Tailrace
Location of the tailrace is determined using the same conditions as
the powerhouse location as it is located adjacent to the power
house. Following points should be considered.
1) Flood Water Level: The tailrace channel should be placed
above the expected flood water level. When the base elevation
of the tailrace is planned to be lower than the flood level, the
points to be considered are a) suitable measure to deal with the
inundation or seepage of water into the powerhouse due to
flooding and b) a method to remove sediment which may occur
in the tailrace canal.
2) Riverbed Fluctuation at Tailrace: When the riverbed
fluctuation is expected to take place in the future, the location
of the water outlet must be selected so as to avoid any trouble
due to sedimentation at tailrace.
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3. Planning
3) Possibility of Scouring: Attention must be made to avoid the
scouring of the riverbed and nearby ground. The selection of a
location where protective measures can be easily applied is
essential.
4) Flow Direction of River Water: The tailrace must be directed , in
principle facing downstream so as not to disrupt the smooth flow
of the water .

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3. Planning
3.3 Supply and Demand Plan
3.3.1 Selection of Power Demand Facilities
The following points must be considered:
1) Power Uses: Each power demand facility shows specific load
characteristics depending on the power use. This has to be
considered in power supply planning. The load characteristics
of specific power uses are :
a) Lighting: Constant load while in use and is concentrated at
evening and night.
b) Heating and Drying: Used in the winter season.
c) Motive Power: At start-up, current is several times higher
than the rated current and load fluctuates in relation to the
motive power required by a machine.
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3. Planning
2) Transmission and Distribution Costs
MHP should be constructed near the power demand facilities in
order to increase its efficiency and avoid the transmission and
distribution cost of power supply.
3.3.2 Selection of Discharge
The minimum flow Qmin is determined by subtracting the reserved
flow during the dry season. Generally, this value is in the range of
90-95% in Flow Duration Curve (FDC). The system should be
designed at maximum flow allowable by turbine. Following table
shows the allowable flow variation in different turbines.

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3. Planning
Minimum discharge for generation for various turbines (Source: DOE, JICA)
Type of Turbine

Flow/Max Flow
(Qmin/Qmax)

Turbine
efficiency/Max.
Turbine efficiency
(min/max)

Conditions

Francis, horizontal
shaft

30%

0.7

Light burdened
runner

Pelton, horizontal
shaft

15%

0.75

2 nozzles

Pelton, Horizontal
Shaft

30%

0.9

1 nozzle

Crossflow

15%

0.75

Twin control vanes

Crossflow

40%

0.75

Single control vane

Turgo Impulse

10%

0.75

2 nozzle

Turgo Impulse

20%

0.75

1 nozzle

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