Retrieving Energy from an Inline Hydro Turbine of Irrigation-Dependent Hydropower Plant Under Part Flow Conditions

The hydropower potential is growing very rapidly. In India, the hydropower capacity accounts to 11.7% of total installed energy capacity of 416,059MW. Further, it contributes major share of 27.25% on renewable energy sector as on March 2022. For achieving net zero emission in 2050, renovation, modernization and uprating of existing hydro units is essential. Thus it is very necessary to tap all possible untapped energy recovery potential and select the proper type of turbine for power generation even at the low discharge for irrigation in case of irrigation-dependent hydropower plant. In this paper, the energy recovery under part flow condition from irrigation channel of existing agricultural-dependent hydropower plant is suggested. In the present work, three modifications viz: additional irrigation gate with sliding arrangement, inline hydro turbine, and additional movable gate next to draft tube, are suggested. This will facilitate controling the discharge, generation of additional power and improvement in the pressure conditions. Typical case study of Dhom irrigation-dependent hydropower plant (2*1 MW) in the district Sangli of Maharashtra is referred. The provision of additional gate next to draft tube is validated with additional power generation at Kanher dam under part flow conditions.