Title: Study and design of a pico-hydropower plant for academic education and research use

Authors: Achour El Hamdaouy; Issam Salhi; Said Doubabi; Mohamed Chennani

Addresses: Laboratory of Electric Systems and Telecommunications, Cadi Ayyad University, BP 549, Av Abdelkarim Elkhattabi, Gueliz, Marrakesh, Morocco ' Laboratory of Electric Systems and Telecommunications, Cadi Ayyad University, BP 549, Av Abdelkarim Elkhattabi, Gueliz, Marrakesh, Morocco ' Laboratory of Electric Systems and Telecommunications, Cadi Ayyad University, BP 549, Av Abdelkarim Elkhattabi, Gueliz, Marrakesh, Morocco ' Laboratory of Electric Systems and Telecommunications, Cadi Ayyad University, BP 549, Av Abdelkarim Elkhattabi, Gueliz, Marrakesh, Morocco

Abstract: Installing various didactic prototypes in universities is a suitable way that facilitates learning. These prototypes affect positively students' attention and help them to focus in class. In general, the students are mechanically inclined, so they are more interested to deal with hands-on experiments than to pore over theoretical analysis. For these raisons, a pico-hydropower plant (PHPP) prototype was developed and installed in our department. This paper describes the developed prototype which could be used for teaching the hydroelectric conversion, the PHPP operation principle and the control and the stability of a mini grid. In addition, using the prototype, students could validate the studied regulation techniques, they will also master various skills deemed necessary and proper for them to achieve success in different electrical engineering disciplines. Further, the prototype could be used in research to develop new advanced control laws.

Keywords: frequency control; industrial automation systems; pico-hydropower plant; renewable energy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCEELL.2017.087135

International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning, 2017 Vol.27 No.4, pp.303 - 317

Received: 05 Aug 2016
Accepted: 05 Nov 2016
Published online: 06 Oct 2017 *

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