OPTIMAL MATCHING OF SMALL HYDROPOWER PLANT HYDRO TURBINE AND THE GENERATOR ROTATION SPEEDS

Abstract

Low speed hydro turbines are used in small hydropower plants (SHPP) which cover 1…10 MW range of power. Generators with such a low value of rotation speed have a high value of weight and size parameters, a relatively low value of efficiency and respectively high cost. The usage of high speed generators in SHPP is considered. The analysis of mass-produced synchronous generators is given. Dependencies are obtained, showing the feasibility of using generators with a high rotation speed and thereby the use of the multiplier in the hydropower units of SHPPs is justified.