REE6262: FLUID DYNAMICS AND HYDRO POWER

Developing a small hydropower site is not a simple task. There are many aspects which have to be taken into consideration, covering many
disciplines ranging from business, engineering, financial, legal and administration. These will all be necessary at the different development stages from, first choosing a site until the plant goes into operation. The Course brings together these aspects in a step-by-step approach, and will serve as a useful tool for a potential developer of a hydropower scheme. This course introduces students to basics concepts, such as the definition of small hydropower, types of schemes, ways of exploiting the water resource available and gives a general overview of the guide’s contents, describe the essential steps to be followed to evaluate a proposed scheme before deciding whether to proceed to a detailed feasibility study. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to understand concepts in the theory of fluid dynamics, the hydroelectric power plant components and design and the Guide on How to Develop a Small
Hydropower Plant.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING: 
Having successfully completed this module, students should:

• Have an understanding of fluid dynamics fundamentals, including concepts of mass and momentum conservation
• Be able to apply the Bernoulli equation to solve problems in fluid dynamics
• Apply principles of fluid dynamics in wind, hydro and heating systems
• Have a good over-all knowledge of hydro-electric power plants and power houses
• Have a knowledge of the various mechanical and electrical types of hydro power equipment
• Show a good theoretical understanding of possibilities and limitations of hydro power
• Be able to evaluate, characterize and compare hydro-electric energy to other energy form

INDICATIVE CONTENT:

Unit I: Theory of fluid dynamics

Stress and strain, fluid statics, Bernoulli and Euler equations, pipe flow and turbulence in air and water, open-channel flow, unsteady flow (water-hammer), Potential energy of water (hydrology)

Unit 2: Hydroelectric power plant components and design

Components of a hydro-electric power plant, Power plant development and design, hydrodynamics for intake design, construction of dam, tunnel, penstock, Water turbines, run-off river micro hydro.
Unit 3: Guide on How to Develop a Small Hydropower Plant
Introduction, Fundamental of Hydraulic Engineering, Evaluating Stream Flow, Site Evaluation Methodologies, Overview of Hydropower Development, Design and Typical, Project Development, Site Selection, Hydrology and Energy Calculations, Permits and Licensing, Construction, Commissioning, Operation & Maintenance, Environmental and Social Impact Mitigation, Capital and O&M Costs, Economics and Financial Analyses, Financing HPP Projects, Administrative procedures.