Variation of Blade Angle on the Performance of the Undershot Waterwheel on the Pico Scale

The increasing rate of energy consumption, driven by population and economic growth, has prompted countries to shift towards alternative energy sources due to the finite nature and environmental impact of fossil fuels. The 26th and 27th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change has focused on reducing carbon emissions and curbing global temperature rise. In remote areas of Indonesia, such as Fatoin Village in East Nusa Tenggara Province, access to electricity remains limited, with approximately 1.95 million people needing more power. Remote areas are characterized by low population density, inadequate infrastructure, limited economic development, and reliance on agriculture or fishing as the primary livelihood. However, connecting these areas to the national grid would result in high electricity prices per kilowatt-hour. In order to overcome that, a hydroelectric power plant is proposed that uses pico hydro turbines, specifically undershot waterwheel technology. Undershot waterwheels are considered suitable due to their simple design, easier installation, and lower operational and maintenance costs than other turbine types. A comprehensive study has been conducted to determine the optimal blade angle for the undershot waterwheel, focusing on achieving maximum hydraulic efficiency. Using numerical methods, the study compared different blade angles (180°, 175°, 165°, 150°, and 135°). The numerical method utilized the ANSYS application to simulate the flow and collision with the designed turbine blades. Based on the numerical analyses, it was determined that the optimal blade angle is 180°, with an efficiency of 40.1%.