Print Email Facebook Twitter Low head hydropower for local energy solutions Title Low head hydropower for local energy solutions Author Narrain, P.A.G. (TU Delft Environmental Fluid Mechanics) Contributor Mynett, A.E. (promotor) Wright, N.G. (promotor) Degree granting institution Delft University of Technology Date 2017-10-09 Abstract The role of small hydropower is becoming increasingly important on a global level. Increasing energy demand and environmental awareness has further triggered research and development into sustainable low cost technologies. In developing countries, particularly in rural areas, local power generation could considerably improve living conditions. With this in mind, the development of a next generation low head hydropower machines was subject of investigation in the EU-project HYLOW. Being part of the research lines of that project, this thesis presents a numerical modelling approach to improve the design of machines like water wheels for increased hydraulic efficiency. Nowadays, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) enables numerical models to be quite accurate and incorporate physical complexities like free surfaces and rotating machines. The results of the CFD simulations carried out in this research show that a change in blade geometry can result in higher torque levels, thereby increasing performance. Numerical simulations also enabled to determine the optimal wheel-width to channel-width ratio and further improve performance by modifying the channel bed conditions upstream and downstream of the water wheel. With a power rating in the low kilowatt range, low-head hydropower machines like optimised water wheels seem to have a clear potential for small-scale energy generation, thereby contributing to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by providing local energy solutions. To reference this document use: http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:c7399cb8-1f40-44a4-afff-933cfeaa3048 Publisher CRC Press / Balkema - Taylor & Francis Group ISBN 978-0-8153-9612-3 Bibliographical note Dissertation submitted in fulfillment of the requirements of the Board for Doctorates of Delft University of Technology and of the Academic Board of the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education. Part of collection Institutional Repository Document type doctoral thesis Rights © 2017 P.A.G. Narrain Files PDF 2017_UNESCO_IHE_PHD_THESI ... RAIN_i.pdf 15.26 MB Close viewer /islandora/object/uuid:c7399cb8-1f40-44a4-afff-933cfeaa3048/datastream/OBJ/view