Optimizing Pelton turbine performance: unveiling the power of three nozzles for maximum efficiency and sustainable hydropower generation

Abstract

Water energy is one of the potential renewable energy, the problem so far has a low efficiency of the blade Pelton shape. So it takes a series of tools to know characteristics and performance of the Pelton turbine as a hydroelectric power plant in this research. Pelton turbines work by utilizing the potential energy of water stored at a certain head, which flows through a penstock/pipe that is equipped with a nozzle at the end. The high head causes the water to be under high pressure when it reaches the nozzle. The water coming out of the nozzle becomes kinetic energy in the form of a pressurized water jet, which is used to rotate the runner of the Pelton turbine. In this study, the effect of the number of nozzles used to rotate the Pelton turbine was analyzed, with the result that the number of nozzles is directly proportional to the efficiency of the Pelton turbine. Where the highest efficiency value is obtained by using 3 nozzles with a maximum efficiency value of 13.7 %, at 2 nozzles of 12.209 % and at 1 nozzle of 8.82 %.