Hadi Nassar
Research Mentor(s): Binh Truong
Mentor Department: Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
Authors:
Session: Session 4 (1:00pm – 1:50pm)
Presentation Type: Poster 19
Abstract
While the discipline is a growing topic in both industrial and academic circles, only 6% of US energy is generated through hydropower. Within hydropower, however, there is minimal research in optimizing small-scale turbines for less than ideal conditions, such as relatively flat and non-mountainous environments and tight budgets. This project attempts to fill this gap in research through optimization in three key areas of the design and implementation of Francis turbines in a pump-storage hydropower system. These three areas are a holistic approach on dam siting, designing Francis turbines for relatively lower head and corrosive environments, and overall systems and manufacturing design to reduce costs. Community impact analysis and retrofit possibilities are necessary for successful siting, as they take into account the local economy and life of citizens living by possible or current reservoirs. On the mechanical side, optimization for corrosive environments involves selecting robust materials and manipulating turbine runner geometry to mitigate erosion. Costs are mitigated by carefully selecting cheaper materials and manufacturing processes while designing for simplicity to reduce maintenance and part replacement costs to extend turbine lifetime. Furthermore, high long-term costs can be avoided by designing for ease of maintenance and part replacements. Research into the optimization and implementation of low–head Francis turbines in pump storage systems provides a gateway for hydropower to be present in all of our communities. As we shift away from solely relying on large, isolated, and expensive turbines far away from urban areas, we can increase hydropower energy production throughout the world. This increase in energy production will further create jobs and reservoirs to boost local economies, all while generating cheaper power in a clean and efficient manner.
