In general, the capacity of pico hydro power is less than 5 kW. The advantage is that they can be easily set-up and used at low head sites with affordable prices. For this purpose, the Offenburg University offers its students the possibility to investigate and get hands-on experience of pico hydro power plant on a laboratory scale. It is stationed at turbomachinery laboratory under the supervision of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Peter Treffinger. The test-rig consists of Pelton and Francis turbine, turbine supply unit, brake and drive unit and a data acquisition system for monitoring the experiments. The specification of the GUNT manufactured Pelton and Francis turbine is 1.5 kW at 2750 min-1 and 6.5 bar and 1 kW at 3500 min-1 and 4.2 bar, respectively. The laboratory exercises provide basic understanding about the characteristics of Francis and Pelton turbine through experimental observation and analysis of the test-rig. Therefore, it helps the students to think beyond classrooms to apply the theoretical concepts in real time.  

Satya Gopisetty, PhD student at Offenburg University

Francis turbine and its supply system