An Experimental Investigation of Various Control Systems for an Archimedes Screw Turbine in a Micro-Hydropower Plant

Abstract

The control system for a micro-hydropower plant using an Archimedes screw turbine is the focus of this work. Three control systems were implemented based on a Barreda micro-hydropower plant (Spain) currently in operation: an optimal water level control ( (Formula presented.) ) system, a maximum power point monitoring ( (Formula presented.) ) system, and a water level control ( (Formula presented.) ) system. The comparison was made using several assessment indicators: electricity production, micro-hydropower plant efficiency, and gearbox fatigue. The electricity production is similar in the (Formula presented.) and (Formula presented.) systems (energy gain (Formula presented.) ) and significantly lower in the (Formula presented.) system (energy gain (Formula presented.) ). The efficiency of the micro-hydro plant is similar in the (Formula presented.) and (Formula presented.) systems (average efficiency gain (Formula presented.) ) and significantly lower in the (Formula presented.) system (average efficiency gain (Formula presented.) ). The mechanical stress on the gearbox is similar in the (Formula presented.) and (Formula presented.) systems and significantly higher in the (Formula presented.) system. It can be concluded that the (Formula presented.) system performs better as concerns the three assessment indicators used, followed by the (Formula presented.) system. The (Formula presented.) system is not recommended for use, due to its low electricity production and low efficiency of the micro-hydropower plant.