Theoretical analysis of a Pico-hydro power system for energy generation in rural or isolated area

Abstract

A large number of people in India live in rural or isolated communities without access to grid-based electric power because large-scale production plants primarily serve urban areas and there is a substantial transmission and distribution cost. Pico-hydro power is a system with promises to generate electrical power from free Hydro energy. Hydro power is considered a significant natural resource in those countries which have mountainous landscapes and adequate levels of rain and/or snow. The theoretical analysis showed that head and water flow rate are the most important physical variables for the Pico-hydro power system design. The study proposes that the most suitable very Small plant, affordable by local government standards to respond to the electricity demand of a typical village in rural area or isolated area, is the one with a head height between 1 to 30 meter and water flow rate between 0.03 to 15 litres per second, respectively. The energy produced by these methods can be sold to consumers through a variety of methods thereby making possible both electric lighting and income-generating opportunities simultaneously. The research has significant and probable potential to reduce poverty globally by improving the availability of power which affects the health, education, and economic burden of the society. This work assesses technical, economic, environmental, and social impacts of Pico-hydropower applications in those countries which have mountainous landscapes and adequate levels of rain and/or snow.