An economic approach for the design of small hydropower converter

Abstract

The worldwide use of hydropower potential of huge dams, weirs and waterfalls is significant-these energy sources have almost been exploited. What remains are the small waters, with low flow rates and the use of low potential in remote areas for decentralised electricity supply. This small hydropower in the range of a few kilowatts in the European and global market did not attract much attention in recent years. Based on the European project HYLOW (the EU-Project HYLOW lasted from 2008 to 2012. Partners from five European countries took part; hydropower converters for very low head differences), the following idea has been developed: to combine various technical solutions for the use of water currents of low potential under economic and environmental optimal conditions. All relevant data were analysed and finally prepared for an interactive planning tool.