Design and development of a Pico Hydro turbine system for the use in developing countries

In Sub-Saharan Africa less than 10% of the rural population has access to electricity [1]. Stand-alone power systems (SPS) can be a solution to the problem of the lack of electricity, which highlights challenges such as modules installation costs as well as the sufficient knowledge required for installing, maintaining and operating such systems. With this fact in mind, a 250 W Low Head turbine system was developed and optimized to have the advantage of the simplicity of installation and a construction from readily available materials. This design scores the electrical efficiency of 60%, reduces manufacturing unit coast to 130 € and takes into account the necessity of providing a clear and simple manual describing the manufacturing and installation. A better version of the load controller, using a microcomputer is under current development. Mounting of the system have been simplified to reduce the amount of construction material required to provide uninterrupted 230 V at 50 Hz AC or optional 12 V DC power supply. Current efforts aim on transferring the required mechanical and electrical knowledge for building, programming, installing and maintaining such system to schools in targeted countries. This project doesn´t only provide people in rural developing countries a gleam of hope to catch up with the developed countries, but also helps students to use their theoretical knowledge to realize practical applications.