Modeling of Micro-Hydropower Systems: The Case of Hhaynu Micro-Hydro Power Plant in Tanzania

Mini and Micro-hydropower plants are used to supply electricity to the rural and off-grid areas of many developing countries like Tanzania. Their power capacity ranges from lower capacity of 5 kW to a higher capacity of 100 kW which is equivalent of supplying electricity from a few households to several villages in the region. The main challenge that have influenced to undertake this research study is centred on the possibility of modelling and performance optimization of a designed micro-hydro turbine system that can meet the dynamic load demand from the growing rural and off-grid users of many developing countries like Tanzania and also at the same time achieve high energy utilization efficiency with minimum energy losses. The methods used in this research study are based on the field work and site data measurements that lead to determination of hydraulic and turbine transfer functions as inputs to system design and modelling that will optimise the system performance characteristics. The results from data analysis and modelling shows that the feasible water flow discharge for the designed micro-hydropower plant is 0.45 m3/s with the gross head of 25m that gives a turbine output (mechanical)power of 79.5 kW.