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
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/4295 |
| Date | 03 1900 |
| Creators | Lombard, Adriaan Cornelius Johannes |
| Contributors | Kamper, M. J., University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | Unknown |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 134 p. : ill. |
| Rights | University of Stellenbosch |
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