Thesis (MScEng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The world is increasingly being faced with the challenge of effectively exploiting available renewable energy resources, not only to meet an ever growing energy demand, but also to preserve the available amount of fossil fuels and to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emissions released into the atmosphere by fossil fuelled power stations. Hence, every available renewable energy resource, even small rivers has a contribution to make in the attempt to reduce the amount of fossil fuel generated electricity. The focus of this study is the design and installation of a low cost grid-connected 10 kW micro hydro power system (MHPS). The process to determine the potential of the available water resource is first to be presented. The environmental aspects of these systems, based on the study that is undertaken for the implementation of the landmark example, are discussed. The complete design of a micro hydro power system for a specific site is presented. This design is based on using commercially available components and equipment in an attempt to minimise the total cost of a micro hydro power system. The designed micro hydro power system is installed in-field and the predicted performance of the designed system is verified with measured results of the implemented system. Based on the results of the micro hydro power system landmark example, it is shown through a complete economic study, that this investment is very worthwhile. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die wêreld word daagliks meer en meer uitgedaag om beskikbare alternatiewe energiebronne effektief te benut, nie net om in die groeiende elektrisiteits aanvraag te voorsien nie, maar ook om die beskikbare fossiel brandstowwe te beskerm en ook om die hoeveelheid koolstofdioksied gasse wat deur fossiel brandstof kragstasies vrygestel word, te verminder. Dus het elke beskikbare alternatiewe energiebron, selfs klein riviertjies, ‘n bydrae om te lewer tot die poging om die hoeveelheid elektrisiteit wat deur fossiel brandstowwe opgewek word, te verminder. Die fokus van hierdie studie is op die ontwerp en implementering van ‘n lae koste netwerk gekoppelde 10 kW mikro hidro kragstelsel. Eerstens word die proses om die potensiaal van die beskikbare waterbron te bepaal, bespreek. Al die omgewings aspekte van hierdie mikro hidro kragstelsels word dan bespreek. Dit is ten volle gebaseer op die studies wat gedoen is vir die implementering van hierdie landmerk voorbeeld. Die volledige ontwerp van ‘n mikro hidro kragstelsel, vir ‘n spesifieke terrein, word bespreek. Hierdie ontwerp is hoofsaaklik gebasseer op die gebruik van kommersieel beskikbare komponente met die doel om die totale koste van die stelsel te minimeer. Die stelsel wat ontwerp is, is geïnstalleer op die terrein en die verwagte prestasie van die stelsel is toe geverifieer met gemete resultate van die geïnstalleerde stelsel. ‘n Volledige ekonomiese studie wat gebaseer is op die resultate van die geïnstalleerde stelsel, word dan bespreek en daar is gevind dat hierdie stelsel werklik finansieel die moeite werd is. / Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies