Project of Micro-hydroelectric Power Generation System – Case study

Abstract The article describes a student project of installing a micropower generation system utilizing energy from the water drained from underground coalmines. The paper contains a description of the site which is a manmade phenomenon from the anthracite mining era. The project described in the article was completed as part of the project-based learning curriculum. Students had the opportunity to work on a team and apply theoretical knowledge learned in individual courses as part of the engineering curriculum. The article also focuses on the calculation of the potential power capacity to a proposed hydropower generation system. The proposed micro-hydro system is harvesting the potential and kinetic energy of the water discharged from the water-draining tunnel. A commercially available micro-hydro turbine combined with an electric power generator was adapted for this purpose. The article also includes an analysis of the profitability of the project and the time of return on investment. The calculations are based on the current price of electricity (2021), depreciation schedule and present tax incentives (2021) to generate electricity from renewable sources. The article also includes some lessons learned from the project as well as the recommendations for future projects.