A Parametric Experimental Investigation of the Operating Conditions of Gravitational Vortex Hydropower (GVHP)

Abstract

Global energy consumption is growing considerably, raising such issues as increased energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, reduced security of supply, and growing fuel costs. Renewable resources, such as hydropower, offer an alternative energy source to meet the growing demand. Small hydropower (SHP) has been a major focus of hydropower research in recent years, as many of the large scale hydroelectric opportunities around the world have already been exploited. In particular, low head SHP is gaining interest as traditional turbines, such as the Kaplan and Pelton turbines, are typically limited to heads greater than 3m. Gravitational vortex hydropower (GVHP) is one such low head hydropower solution. GVHP exploits the energy available in a vortex flow, enabling hydropower generation at heads as low as 0.7m. A vertical axis turbine is placed in the centre of a vortex flow and rotates with the flow, thus generating mechanical energy.