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Small Hydropower using Pump as Turbine:An Alternative for Energy Generation in Southern Africa


Affiliations
1 National Research Center of Pumps, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
 

With the rise in fuel prices as well as energy cost, hydroelectric power is the best alternative for energy generation in rural industries and villages. Small hydropower (SHP) is the largest and oldest source of renewable energy which converts the energy of flowing water into electricity. Small hydroelectric power is entering this field for improving and saving energy in several developing countries through the use of pump in reverse mode as hydraulic turbine; pump as turbine (PAT). It is one of the best alternatives that could meet energy needs by providing electricity in villages and rural settlements as Southern Africa is endowed with a huge untapped SHP energy potentials. In this study, the importance of PAT energy generation for sustainable power, based on its capacity to provide electricity to the rural communities along with contributing to the national grid towards alleviating serious shortage of electricity within Southern African continent, has been discussed. This paper discusses the potentials and the need for SHP development sites in Southern Africa.

Keywords

Pressure Distribution, Pump as Turbine, Small Hydropower, Southern Africa, Velocity Distribution.
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Abstract Views: 331

PDF Views: 127




  • Small Hydropower using Pump as Turbine:An Alternative for Energy Generation in Southern Africa

Abstract Views: 331  |  PDF Views: 127

Authors

Jinfeng Zhang, Daniel Adu
National Research Center of Pumps, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Mao Jioyin
National Research Center of Pumps, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Samuel Joe Acquah
National Research Center of Pumps, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Stephen Ntiri Asomani
National Research Center of Pumps, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China

Abstract


With the rise in fuel prices as well as energy cost, hydroelectric power is the best alternative for energy generation in rural industries and villages. Small hydropower (SHP) is the largest and oldest source of renewable energy which converts the energy of flowing water into electricity. Small hydroelectric power is entering this field for improving and saving energy in several developing countries through the use of pump in reverse mode as hydraulic turbine; pump as turbine (PAT). It is one of the best alternatives that could meet energy needs by providing electricity in villages and rural settlements as Southern Africa is endowed with a huge untapped SHP energy potentials. In this study, the importance of PAT energy generation for sustainable power, based on its capacity to provide electricity to the rural communities along with contributing to the national grid towards alleviating serious shortage of electricity within Southern African continent, has been discussed. This paper discusses the potentials and the need for SHP development sites in Southern Africa.

Keywords


Pressure Distribution, Pump as Turbine, Small Hydropower, Southern Africa, Velocity Distribution.

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.18520/cs%2Fv118%2Fi3%2F473-478