Field experience on a novel picohydel system using self excited induction generator and electronic load controller

The paper presents a unique filed experience of a standalone power generating scheme using self-excited induction generator and electronic load controller by exploiting locally available small hydro potential needing minimal civil works. Water is made to flow in a channel and stored in a fore bay tank whose discharge is regulated to have a near constant head. A Pelton wheel receiving water through a penstock pipe works as a turbine, which drives a self-excited induction generator (SEIG). Two types of electronic load controllers (ELC), back-to-back thyristor based ELC and uncontrolled rectifier chopper based ELC were developed and installed in the field to provide power balance at varying consumer loads. Typical field data are presented to prove the viability of the scheme and compare the performance of the load controllers.