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Small-Scale Hydropower and Energy Recovery Interventions: Management, Optimization Processes and Hydraulic Machines Applications

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2021) | Viewed by 22876

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Mosè Rossi

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Engineering, Department of Industrial Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, 60123 Ancona, Italy
Interests: cogeneration systems; hydraulic machines; mini- and micro-hydropower; oil refinery processes; renewable energy

Dr. Massimiliano Renzi

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bolzano, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
Interests: hydropower; pump-as-turbines; thermal management in automotive powertrains; electrification of vehicles; biofuels; hydrogen-enriched fuels use; cogeneration; internal combustion engines; micro gas turbines; optimization of energy systems; energy storage; energy transition
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. David Štefan

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Guest Editor

Viktor Kaplan Department of Fluid Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Brno University of Technology, Technická 2896/2, Brno 616 69, Czech Republic
Interests: design and operation of hydraulic machines; fluid mechanics; renewable energy

Dr. Sebastian Muntean

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Guest Editor

Center for Fundamental and Advanced Technical Research, Romanian Academy - Timisoara Branch, Bv. Mihai Viteazul, no. 24, Ro-300223 Timisoara, Romania
Interests: computational fluid dynamics; experimental investigations; hydrodynamics and cavitation in hydraulic machinery; swirling flow control
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The exploitation of renewable sources is fundamental for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and to cut other harmful emissions for both the Earth environment and human beings. In recent decades, several “green” technologies have been deployed; thanks to this effort, more than 26% of the global electricity production comes from renewables. Among them, hydropower is one of the most known and established worldwide, but almost all of the large-scale reservoirs have been in use for decades. However, not all the countries present morphological conditions suitable for this kind of technology; moreover, there is significant room for development in the exploitation of residual flows and smaller sources. Therefore, several studies have been conducted in recent years on small-scale hydropower plants (e.g. run-of-the river hydroelectricity), as well as on energy recovery applications in irrigation networks, water supply systems (WSSs), water distribution networks (WDNs) and industrial plants. In this regard, the present Special Issue has the aim to collect the most recent contributions and developments on the exploitation of water energy recovery potential in small-scale hydropower applications (e.g. run-of-the river hydroelectricity), irrigation networks, WSSs, WDNs and industrial plants. In particular, optimization analyses or the installation of hydraulic machines that act as pressure reducers, rather than as energy recovery systems, are the current key points for achieving environmental goals. The topics included in this Special Issue are the following:

Current state-of-the art of small-scale hydraulic machines, with particular attention to small-scale hydropower plants (e.g. run-of-the river hydroelectricity) and energy recovery in irrigation networks, WSSs, WDNs and industrial plants;
Future prospective of these research fields in upcoming years;
Models and technologies that lead to an efficiency improvement of small-scale hydropower plants (e.g. run-of-the river hydroelectricity), irrigation networks, WSSs, WDNs and industrial plants (e.g. models for forecasting novel hydraulic machines performance, management and optimization processes of irrigation networks, WSSs, WDNs and industrial plants where the installation of hydraulic machines is possible);
Development of new methods for energy performance forecasting and enhancing small-scale hydropower plants (e.g. run-of-the river hydroelectricity), irrigation networks, WSSs, WDNs and industrial plants where hydraulic machines can be installed or they are already operating;
Case studies where the energy recovery in irrigation networks, WSSs, WDNs and industrial plants is applied by means of hydraulic machines.

The listed topics are indicative suggestions, but other emerging ones in these research fields are warmly welcomed.

In accordance with the above proposal, we would like to invite you to submit original research and/or review papers.

Dr. Mosè Rossi
Dr. Massimiliano Renzi
Dr. David Štefan
Dr. Sebastian Muntean
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

energy efficiency
energy recovery
hydraulic machines
hydropower
irrigation networks
industrial plants
optimal management
optimization processes
renewable energy
run-of-the-river hydroelectricity
small-scale hydropower
water distribution network
water supply system

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Editorial

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5 pages, 218 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Small-Scale Hydropower and Energy Recovery Interventions: Management, Optimization Processes and Hydraulic Machines Applications

by Mosè Rossi, Massimiliano Renzi, David Štefan and Sebastian Muntean

Sustainability 2022, 14(18), 11645; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su141811645 - 16 Sep 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1044

Abstract

The overuse of fossil fuels has brought considerable climate change to our planet, affecting not only human life, but also the ecosystem of the Earth (e [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Small-Scale Hydropower and Energy Recovery Interventions: Management, Optimization Processes and Hydraulic Machines Applications)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

20 pages, 7841 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Improved Operation Strategy of the Pumping System Implemented in Timisoara Municipal Water Treatment Station

by Ionel Aurel Drăghici, Ionuţ-Daniel Rus, Adrian Cococeanu and Sebastian Muntean

Sustainability 2022, 14(15), 9130; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14159130 - 25 Jul 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1478

Abstract

Water treatment stations (WTSs) provide drinking water to the community and are critical infrastructures of any village or city. The main energy consumption of WTSs is associated with the operation of the pumping units installed in the water supply stations (WSSs). The parameters of the pumping units installed in the WSSs are continuously adjusted during service to meet the requirements of the customers. Therefore, variable-speed pumping units (VSPUs) are feasible technical solutions implemented in WSSs. Several strategies combining VSPUs and constant-speed pumping units (CSPUs) have been developed to operate in WSSs. A technical solution with four pumping units (two VSPUs and two CSPUs) is implemented in Timisoara pumping station No. 1 (TPS1) in the Bega municipal water treatment station (MWTS). The layout of TPS1 is detailed, and its energy consumption from the budget of the Bega MWTS is quantified. The operation strategy with four pumping units selected in TPS1 is investigated. The number of hours in service of each pumping unit and the total operating time of all pumping units in the last six years are examined. The specific power consumption associated with the operation of the pumping units installed in TSP1 is detailed. The failure incidents of the pumping units counted in service are enumerated and correlated with the operating conditions of the pumping units. A new strategy developed for the operation of the pumping units installed in TPS1 is proposed to better adapt to the operating conditions, improving the specific power consumption as well as diminishing the failure incidents. The new operation strategy is presented and assessed based on the data acquired from TPS1 over one year. The conclusions and the lessons learned in this case study are drawn in the last section. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Small-Scale Hydropower and Energy Recovery Interventions: Management, Optimization Processes and Hydraulic Machines Applications)

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20 pages, 8381 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation into Influence of Wall Roughness on the Hydraulic Characteristics of an Axial Flow Pump as Turbine

by Kan Kan, Qingying Zhang, Yuan Zheng, Hui Xu, Zhe Xu, Jianwei Zhai and Alexis Muhirwa

Sustainability 2022, 14(14), 8459; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14148459 - 11 Jul 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1274

Abstract

Pump as turbine (PAT) is a factual alternative for electricity generation in rural and remote areas where insufficient or inconsistent water flows pose a threat to local energy demand satisfaction. Recent studies on PAT hydrodynamics have shown that its continuous operations lead to a progressive deterioration of inner surface smoothness, serving the source of near-wall turbulence build-up, which itself depends on the level of roughness. The associated boundary layer flow incites significant friction losses that eventually deteriorate the performance. In order to study the influence of wall roughness on PAT hydraulic performance under different working conditions, CFD simulation of the water flow through an axial-flow PAT has been performed with a RNG k-ε turbulence model. Study results have shown that wall roughness gradually decreases PAT’s head, efficiency, and shaft power. Nevertheless, the least wall roughness effect on PAT hydraulic performance was experienced under best efficiency point conditions. Wall roughness increase resulted in the decrease of axial velocity distribution uniformity and the increase of velocity-weighted average swirl angle. This led to a disorderly distribution of streamlines and backflow zones formation at the conduit outlet. Furthermore, the wall roughness impact on energy losses is due to the static pressure drop on the blade pressure surface and the increase of turbulent kinetic energy near the blade. Further studies on the roughness influence over wider range of PAT operating conditions are recommended, as they will lead to quicker equipment refurbishment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Small-Scale Hydropower and Energy Recovery Interventions: Management, Optimization Processes and Hydraulic Machines Applications)

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19 pages, 37646 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analytical Implementation and Prediction of Hydraulic Characteristics for a Francis Turbine Runner Operated at BEP

by Yu Chen, Jianxu Zhou, Bryan Karney, Qiang Guo and Jian Zhang

Sustainability 2022, 14(4), 1965; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14041965 - 09 Feb 2022

Viewed by 1595

Abstract

The extensive investigation and profound understanding of the hydraulic characteristics of the Francis turbine are crucial to ensure a safe and stable hydraulic system. Especially, predicting the runner’s hydraulic efficiency with high fidelity is mandatory at the early stage of a new hydropower project. For these purposes, the current technologies mainly include experimentation and CFD simulation. Both methods generally have the demerits of a long period, massive investment and high requirements for supercomputers. In this work, an analytical solution is therefore introduced in order to predict the internal flow field and working performance of the runner while the Francis turbine operates at the best efficiency point (BEP). This approach, based on differential-geometry theory and the kinematics of ideal fluid, discretizes the blade channel by several spatial streamlines. Then, the dynamic parameters of these streamlines are determined in a curved-surface coordinate system, including velocity components, flow angles, Eulerian energy and pressure differences across the blade. Additionally, velocity components are converted from the spatial-velocity triangle to the Cartesian coordinate system, and the absolute-velocity vectors as well as the streamlines are subsequently derived. A validation of this approach is then presented. The analytical solution of hydraulic efficiency shows good agreement with the experimental value and simulation result. Additionally, the distributions of pressure differences over the blade, velocity and Eulerian energy are well predicted with respect to the CFD results. Finally, the discrepancy and distribution of the dynamic parameters are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Small-Scale Hydropower and Energy Recovery Interventions: Management, Optimization Processes and Hydraulic Machines Applications)

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22 pages, 5375 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Roadmap to Profitability for a Speed-Controlled Micro-Hydro Storage System Using Pumps as Turbines

by Florian Julian Lugauer, Josef Kainz, Elena Gehlich and Matthias Gaderer

Sustainability 2022, 14(2), 653; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14020653 - 07 Jan 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2488

Abstract

Storage technologies are an emerging element in the further expansion of renewable energy generation. A decentralized micro-pumped storage power plant can reduce the load on the grid and contribute to the expansion of renewable energies. This paper establishes favorable boundary conditions for the economic operation of a micro-pump storage (MPS) system. The evaluation is performed by means of a custom-built simulation model based on pump and turbine maps which are either given by the manufacturer, calculated according to rules established in studies, or extended using similarity laws. Among other criteria, the technical and economic characteristics regarding micro-pump storage using 11 pumps as turbines controlled by a frequency converter for various generation and load scenarios are evaluated. The economical concept is based on a small company (e.g., a dairy farmer) reducing its electricity consumption from the grid by storing the electricity generated by a photovoltaic system in an MPS using a pump as a turbine. The results show that due to the high specific costs incurred, systems with a nominal output in excess of around 22 kW and with heads beyond approximately 70 m are the most profitable. In the most economical case, a levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of 29.2 €cents/kWh and total storage efficiency of 42.0% is achieved by optimizing the system for the highest profitability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Small-Scale Hydropower and Energy Recovery Interventions: Management, Optimization Processes and Hydraulic Machines Applications)

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23 pages, 15360 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimizing the Potential Impact of Energy Recovery and Pipe Replacement on Leakage Reduction in a Medium Sized District Metered Area

by Gideon Johannes Bonthuys, Marco van Dijk and Giovanna Cavazzini

Sustainability 2021, 13(22), 12929; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su132212929 - 22 Nov 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1906

Abstract

The drive for sustainable societies with more resilient infrastructure networks has catalyzed interest in leakage reduction as a subsequent benefit to energy recovery in water distribution systems. Several researchers have conducted studies and piloted successful energy recovery installations in water distribution systems globally. Challenges remain in the determination of the number, location, and optimal control setting of energy recovery devices. The PERRL 2.0 procedure was developed, employing a genetic algorithm through extended period simulations, to identify and optimize the location and size of hydro-turbine installations for energy recovery. This procedure was applied to the water supply system of the town of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Several suitable locations for pressure reduction, with energy recovery installations between 600 and 800 kWh/day were identified, with the potential to also reduce leakage in the system by 2 to 4%. Coupling the energy recovery installations with a pipe replacement model showed a further reduction in leakage up to a total of above 6% when replacing 10% of the aged pipes within the network. Several solutions were identified on the main supply line and the addition of a basic water balance, to the analysis, was found valuable in preliminarily evaluation and identification of the more sustainable solutions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Small-Scale Hydropower and Energy Recovery Interventions: Management, Optimization Processes and Hydraulic Machines Applications)

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18 pages, 4790 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development and Numerical Performance Analysis of a Micro Turbine in a Tap-Water Pipeline

by Huixiang Chen, Kan Kan, Haolan Wang, Maxime Binama, Yuan Zheng and Hui Xu

Sustainability 2021, 13(19), 10755; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su131910755 - 28 Sep 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2538

Abstract

The induction faucet has been widely used in public due to its advantages of convenience, sanitation, water, and electricity saving. To solve the problem of environmental pollution caused by dry batteries used in induction faucets, a suitable micro pipe mixed-flow turbine installed in a tap-water system with only 15 mm in diameter, that uses the pipeline water pressure to generate electricity for the induction faucet was designed and developed, based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and model tests. According to the specific speed, a preliminary design of each flow component of the turbine was first produced. Then, using the multi-objective orthogonal optimization method, the optimum test schemes were determined, and the influence of various test factors on the turbine’s hydraulic performance was revealed. Under the design flow rate, the turbine’s power output and efficiency were 6.40 W and 87.13%, respectively, which were 34.45% and 4.99% higher than those of the preliminary scheme. Both the power output and efficiency of the optimized turbine met the design requirements. Numerical and model test results showed good agreement, where the deviation in turbine power output predictions was below 5% under large flow condition. Model test results also showed that the turbine can be started as long as the inlet flow is greater than 0.14 kg/s. Overall, the micro-pipe turbine designed in this paper exploits the (mostly wasted) water kinetic energy in induction faucets for power production, contributing to environmental pollution reduction and realizing energy conservation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Small-Scale Hydropower and Energy Recovery Interventions: Management, Optimization Processes and Hydraulic Machines Applications)

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26 pages, 39372 KiB

Open AccessArticle

DuoTurbo: Implementation of a Counter-Rotating Hydroturbine for Energy Recovery in Drinking Water Networks

by Daniel Biner, Vlad Hasmatuchi, Laurent Rapillard, Samuel Chevailler, François Avellan and Cécile Münch-Alligné

Sustainability 2021, 13(19), 10717; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su131910717 - 27 Sep 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2128

Abstract

To enhance the sustainability of water supply systems, the development of new technologies for micro scale hydropower remains an active field of research. The present paper deals with the implementation of a new micro-hydroelectric system for drinking water facilities, targeting a gross capacity between 5 kW and 25 kW. A counter-rotating microturbine forms the core element of the energy recovery system. The modular in-line technology is supposed to require low capital expenditure, targeting profitability within 10 years. One stage of the DuoTurbo microturbine is composed of two axial counter-rotating runners, each one featured with a wet permanent magnet rim generator with independent speed regulation. This compact mechanical design facilitates the integration into existing drinking water installations. A first DuoTurbo product prototype is developed by means of a Computational Fluid Dynamics based hydraulic design along with laboratory tests to assess system efficiency and characteristics. The agreements between simulated and measured hydraulic characteristics with absolute errors widely below 5% validate the design approach to a large extent. The developed product prototype provides a maximum electrical power of 6.5 kW at a maximum hydraulic head of 75 m, reaching a hydroelectric peak efficiency of 59%. In 2019, a DuoTurbo pilot was commissioned at a drinking water facility to assess its long-term behavior and thus, to validate advanced technology readiness levels. To the best of the authors knowledge, it is the first implementation of a counter-rotating microturbine with independent runner speed regulation and wet rim generators in a real-world drinking water facility. A complete year of operation is monitored without showing significant drifts of efficiency and vibration. The demonstration of the system in operational environment at pre-commercial state is validated that can be attributed to a technology readiness level of 7. The overall results of this study are promising regarding further industrialization steps and potential broad-scale applicability of the DuoTurbo microturbine in the drinking water industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Small-Scale Hydropower and Energy Recovery Interventions: Management, Optimization Processes and Hydraulic Machines Applications)

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18 pages, 1033 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hydrostatic Pressure Wheel for Regulation of Open Channel Networks and for the Energy Supply of Isolated Sites

by Ludovic Cassan, Guilhem Dellinger, Pascal Maussion and Nicolas Dellinger

Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9532; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13179532 - 24 Aug 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1848

Abstract

The Hydrostatic Pressure Wheel is an innovative solution to regulate flow discharges and waters heights in open channel networks. Indeed, they can maintain a water depth while producing energy for supplying sensors and a regulation system. To prove the feasibility of this solution, a complete model of water depth–discharge–rotational speed relationship has been elaborated. The latter takes into account the different energy losses present in the turbine. Experimental measurements achieved in IMFT laboratory allowed to calibrate the coefficients of head losses relevant for a large range of operating conditions. Once the model had been validated, an extrapolation to a real case showed the possibility of maintaining upstream water level but also of being able to produce sufficient energy for supplying in energy isolated sites. The solution thus makes it possible to satisfy primary energy needs while respecting the principles of frugal innovation: simplicity, robustness, reduced environmental impact. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Small-Scale Hydropower and Energy Recovery Interventions: Management, Optimization Processes and Hydraulic Machines Applications)

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22 pages, 12005 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Numerical Investigation into the PAT Hydrodynamic Response to Impeller Rotational Speed Variation

by Maxime Binama, Kan Kan, Hui-Xiang Chen, Yuan Zheng, Da-Qing Zhou, Wen-Tao Su, Xin-Feng Ge and Janvier Ndayizigiye

Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 7998; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13147998 - 17 Jul 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2571

Abstract

The utilization of pump as turbines (PATs) within water distribution systems for energy regulation and hydroelectricity generation purposes has increasingly attracted the energy field players’ attention. However, its power production efficiency still faces difficulties due to PAT’s lack of flow control ability in such dynamic systems. This has eventually led to the introduction of the so-called “variable operating strategy” or VOS, where the impeller rotational speed may be controlled to satisfy the system-required flow conditions. Taking from these grounds, this study numerically investigates PAT eventual flow structures formation mechanism, especially when subjected to varying impeller rotational speed. CFD-backed numerical simulations were conducted on PAT flow under four operating conditions (1.00 Q_BEP, 0.82 Q_BEP, 0.74 Q_BEP, and 0.55 Q_BEP), considering five impeller rotational speeds (110 rpm, 130 rpm, 150 rpm, 170 rpm, and 190 rpm). Study results have shown that both PAT’s flow and pressure fields deteriorate with the machine influx decrease, where the impeller rotational speed increase is found to alleviate PAT pressure pulsation levels under high-flow operating conditions, while it worsens them under part-load conditions. This study’s results add value to a thorough understanding of PAT flow dynamics, which, in a long run, contributes to the solution of the so-far existent technical issues. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Small-Scale Hydropower and Energy Recovery Interventions: Management, Optimization Processes and Hydraulic Machines Applications)

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10 pages, 325 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Inner Damping of Water in Conduit of Hydraulic Power Plant

by Daniel Himr, Vladimír Habán and David Štefan

Sustainability 2021, 13(13), 7125; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13137125 - 25 Jun 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1556

Abstract

The operation of any hydraulic power plant is accompanied by pressure pulsations that are caused by vortex rope under the runner, rotor–stator interaction and various transitions during changes in operating conditions or start-ups and shut-downs. Water in the conduit undergoes volumetric changes due to these pulsations. Compression and expansion of the water are among the mechanisms by which energy is dissipated in the system, and this corresponds to the second viscosity of water. The better our knowledge of energy dissipation, the greater the possibility of a safer and more economic operation of the hydraulic power plant. This paper focuses on the determination of the second viscosity of water in a conduit. The mathematical apparatus, which is described in the article, is applied to data obtained during commissioning tests in a water storage power plant. The second viscosity is determined using measurements of pressure pulsations in the conduit induced with a ball valve. The result shows a dependency of second viscosity on the frequency of pulsations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Small-Scale Hydropower and Energy Recovery Interventions: Management, Optimization Processes and Hydraulic Machines Applications)

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