Mobile Modular Hydroelectric Plant for Low Head Streams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current small hydroelectric power plants have high environmental impact and are uneconomical due to their indirect design and high investment costs, especially in low head conditions below 3 meters.
Innovation Solution
A mobile modular hydroelectric power plant design that directly utilizes the natural water stream by assembling modular turbine and concrete components, allowing for adjustable configurations based on stream width and flow rate, minimizing environmental disruption and using the potential energy of water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a conventional small hydroelectric power plant is built with a turbine house and channel modifications, then electricity generation is achieved, but environmental impact increases and construction costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The power plant is divided into modular units that can be independently assembled and deployed. Each module contains a turbine, generator, and housing that functions as a complete unit, allowing flexible configuration based on stream width while minimizing environmental disruption through targeted installation rather than extensive channel modification
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of bringing the water stream to the turbine through channels and conduits, the turbine is placed directly into the water stream. This inversion of the conventional approach eliminates the need for extensive channel modifications and reduces environmental impact while maintaining power generation efficiency
2Reliability
If a conventional small hydroelectric power plant is built with fixed concrete structures and turbine houses, then stable power generation is achieved, but investment costs and construction complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power plant consists of standardized modular units that can be mass-produced and assembled like building blocks. This segmentation simplifies construction by eliminating complex custom concrete work while maintaining structural integrity and operational reliability through proven modular designs
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design allows the power plant to be dynamically configured based on site conditions. Modules can be added or removed to match stream width variations, and the entire structure can be relocated if needed, providing flexibility without compromising generation stability
3Productivity
If the hydroelectric power plant is designed for specific water head and flow rate conditions, then optimal energy production is achieved, but adaptability to different locations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The modular units are designed with universal interfaces and standardized dimensions that allow them to function effectively across a range of water head and flow rate conditions. The same basic module can be adapted to different locations by adjusting the number of modules or their configuration, eliminating the need for completely different designs for each site
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains optimal energy production across varying conditions by allowing parameter adjustments through modular configuration. The number of modules, their arrangement, and operational parameters can be changed to match local conditions while using the same proven technology platform
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design reduces environmental impact and lowers costs by allowing for flexible, modular assembly and operation, optimizing energy production from the water potential, and reducing the need for multiple generators.
Implementation Method 1
a water stream is led directly to curved blades of a Banki turbine so that the water hits the blades from both sides
Implementation Method 2
two lifting modules are provided at each side... by means of which the machine modular part can be lifted from the water stream
Data Source
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AI summary
The object of the invention is a mobile modular hydroelectric power plant that allows direct exploitation of a natural water stream and its installation into an environment has a minimal environmental impact. It consists of at least one macine modular part (2) that can be assembled in a modular way and includes at least one module of a turbine house (2.1), at least one turbine module (2.2), a grid (2.4) and a rack (2.5) with guides. Optionally, a mobile modular hydroelectric power plant can comprise at least one concrete modular part (1), into which a machine modular part (2) of the MHPP is insertable. When the MHPP comprises a concrete modular part, the MHPP can optionally be provided with two lifting modules at each side, by means of which the machine modular part of the MHPP can be lifted from the water stream. It is used to exploit low water heads of 10-1 m.