Small hydro developers face a limited set of bad choices when choosing a generator for small low-head hydro sites, leading to low project efficiencies.
There are a solution from the Wind Industry that can be applied to Hydro Industry – Variable Speed Generators. Increased efficiency from variable speed technology could make many more small hydro sites economically feasible to develop.
Advantages:
• Lower costs of hydropower components and civil works.
• Increase power train efficiency for low-head, variable flow applications:
The use of a variable speed generator significantly increased overall project efficiency at small, low-head hydro sites. This technology was adopted by the hydropower industry, efficiency, and energy output is improved at low-head sites, and more small sites became economically feasible to develop.
• Facilitate mechanisms for testing and advancing new hydropower systems and components.
• Reduce costs and deployment timelines of new plants.
• Prepare the incoming hydropower workforce.
Application:
Variable Speed Drives will be installed on turbine generators.
Retrofitting Variable Speed Drives onto existing generators at existing plants. Plant output could be increased significantly without replacing existing turbines or generators.