Low Head Hydropower for Local Energy Solutions

Small hydropower is increasingly important on a global level, and the possibility of local power generation could considerably improve living conditions in rural areas in developing countries. This thesis presents a numerical modelling approach to improve the design of low-cost machines like water wheels for increased hydraulic efficiency. Using a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) approach, it explores effects of blade geometry, optimal wheel-width to channel-width ratio and channel bed conditions upstream and downstream to improve performance. With a power rating in the low kilowatt range, low-head hydropower machines seem to have a clear potential for small-scale energy generation.