Innovative techniques of employing small hydropower plants in distributed electricity generation

Abstract

Electricity is the most convenient form of energy. It can be easily transported to long distances and converted into other forms of energy that is required for any technological process. The impact of availability of electricity on a society touches health, education, economic prosperity, living standard of people etc. The generation of electricity using hydropower started with waterwheels as prime mover which led to the development of modern day hydraulic turbines which caused rapid construction of large hydro schemes for bulk electricity generation in the zo" century. Later electricity generation was dominated by fossil powered power plants. In this race small hydro schemes were found to be comparatively uneconomical and hence partially abandoned. Escalation of prices of fossil fuels and environmental concerns has made people to seek alternative energy sources and preferably renewable sources. Hydro power both large and small is the most effective renewable energy source and small hydro causes negligible stress to the environment. Adding to current achievements in the fields of civil engineering works, machines and power electronics, small hydro has become an attractive alternative energy source. For developing countries like Tanzania, small hydro can enhance efforts of electrification of rural communities.