Design of Small-Scale Hydropower Electric

Generator for Single Rural Household

John Ry Cardines, Remar Jison, Angelito Dela Peña, Carl Robert Egargo, Eric Martin Barro,
Mark Jayson Archival, Miguela Elleso, John Rey Estopin, Chavelita Pepito, Nikolai Hinojado,
Anthony Joe Casiño

August 20, 2019

 Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM

I. Background of the Study

The utilization of renewable energy source like hydropower is now on the edge of
national to global conference to battle energy demands and enact upon economical and
environmental concerns. The principal purpose why the researchers is trying to develop a
design of small-scale hydropower electric generator is to provide assistance for the
electrification of a single rural household using a cheap and renewable energy source.

The researchers concerns were legally supported by a Philippine Constitution specifically

the Republic Act No. 9513 other wise known as the "Renewable Energy Act of 2008" an act
promoting the development, utilization and commercialization of renewable energy resources
and for other purposes and states the following policies in Section 2-a:

It is hereby declared the policy of the State to (a) Accelerate the exploration and
development of renewable energy resources such as, but not limited to biomass, solar, wind,
hydro, geothermal and ocean energy sources, including hybrid systems, to achieve energy self-
reliance, through the adoption of sustainable energy development strategies to reduce the
country's dependence on fossil fuels and thereby minimize the country's exposure to price
fluctuations in to international markets, the effects of which spiral down to almost all sectors of
the economy.

What prompted the researchers to conduct the study is based upon a new study that
said as of July 2016 there is an approximate of 2.36 million households in the Philippines that
still have problems with electricity. The study, titled "Accelerating the Deployment of Renewable
Energy Mini-Grids for Off-Grid Electrification - A Study on the Philippines," says "the level of
household electrification in the country stood at 89.6 percent, leaving 2.36 million households
without electricity and many other areas with a limited service of only four to six hours per
day." (Xinhua, 2017).

This study would stand a voice for promoting sustainable and eco-friendly energy
source. It will lay out sufficient petition for the investment of small-scale power source for the
electrification of rural household. Small-scale projects may be one of the solutions to the small
development of hydropower in such countries. Further, small-scale hydropower technology has
the advantage of being applied as a standalone energy system for rural power supply. Therefore,
hydropower can significantly contribute towards increased national energy access and security,
mitigation of climate change and reduction of harmful air pollutants, creation of economic
opportunities, and, thus, effectively leading to sustainable development (Chiyembekezo, K.S.,
Cuthbert Z. Kimambo , and Torbjorn K. Nielsen, 2012).

II. Research Questions

The study aims to investigate the feasibility of the proposed design of small-scale hydropower
electric generator that adapts current technologies and can be used for single rural household.

More specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions:

1. Is it feasible to construct a device that uses the principles of hydropower generation for single
rural household power loading?

2. Does lighting a 3 watts bulb possible using the design?

III. Research Hypotheses

These are the hypothetical answers in this research paper for the specific questions made:

1. There is a significant relationship with the principles of hydropower generation in the

feasibility of constructing the device for single rural household power loading.

2. There is a significant relationship in the feasibility of lighting a 3 watts bulb to the flow rate,
head pressure and type of components used.

IV. Scope and Delimitation of the Study

The study is centered to create a design of a small-scale hydropower electric generator

and test its likelihood as an efficient tool for extracting sustainable electricity for the
electrification of a single rural household. The study is limited only to the principles of
hydropower generation. The research is also limited to sites near communities with good
hydrologic and hydraulic potential. It is most suitable for small, densely populated communities.
The study's scope will include also the data gathering regarding the relationship of the identified
variables in a small-scale hydropower electric generator. The experimentation for head pressure
and flow rate will only depend on the water's flow rate and head pressure present in a faucet or
tap water. On the other hand, the tests for the type of components will involve only two
adjustment namely the turbine and dynamo. The actual experimentation will take place at
Sta.Cruz, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.

V. Rationale of the Study

The results of this study will have its positive impact on the following:

Rural householders. The success prior to the feasibility of the device design would target the
electrification of their household and would result to advantages in their daily living. Having
sufficient electricity in every household results to increase productivity of every family. From
lighting, communication, to cooking activities.

Economy. A better electrification in every home would affect the economy's status. According to
Obinelo (2019), electricity improves the standard of living of the people in the country. He said
that if the people live in better conditions it has ripple effects on every aspect of the country.
Thus, It also reduces unwarranted expenditures for the government.

Investors. The idea about small-scale hydropower electric generator will benefit the investors to
an extent that investing in such low-cost project that is a necessity service for the people will
provide them good profit in return.

Future researchers. The results in this study will be beneficial for future researchers with
concentration in hydropower generation. This will help them identify the area for enhancement
of their project.
VI. Definition of Terms

For clarity of ideas, the following terms are defined according to how they
are used in the study:

Small-scale. It is a term used in the study to distinguish a hydropower electric generator that
require only a small amount of electricity.

Hydropower. In the study it refers to the energy that is coming from a flowing water to carry
out electricity.

Electric generator. A machine used in the study also called dynamo that converts mechanical
energy which is driven by hydropower's kinetic energy to generate electricity.

Rural household. This is the term used in the study to explicate an area where supply for
electricity is not enough.

Renewable energy. Described in the study as energy that is generated from natural processes
that are continuously replenished particularly hydropower energy.

Electrification. The activity in the study that sketch out the process of distributing electricity to
rural households by small scale hydropower electric generator.

Kinetic energy. This is the term in the study used to describe the energy of hydropower -the
energy created from flowing water.

Mechanical energy. Is the energy a substance or system has because of its motion. In the
study it is the output energy from the converted kinetic enrgy of the water by the turbine.

Electrical energy. It is the energy carried by moving electrons in an electric conductor. In the
study it is the output energy from the converted mechanical energy by the generator.

Small-scale Devices. These are the components in the study used in making the design of
hydropower electric generator that are equivalent to machineries in hydropower plants.

Design.

Hydropower Principle.
Turbine. A device and a major component used in the study that transforms kinetic and
potential energy available in the system’s water into mechanical energy.

Head. This term refers to the variable in the study which is the vertical distance from the source
of the water and is one of the determinant of how much electricity will be produced by the
design.

Flow Rate. One of the variables in the study that is measured to insure the amount of electricity
produced. It is the quantity of water flowing past a point in a given time. This is usually
measured in litres per second.

Dynamo. A device that makes direct current electric power using electromagnetism and is used
in the study to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Water Pressure Gauge. A water pressure gauge is a measuring device used in plumbing to
measure the pressure of water within a system of pipes. It is used in the study to determine
head pressure.

Multimeter. An electronic measuring instrument that combines several measurement functions

in one unit. In the study the specific unit that it will test will be the electrical current present in
the running small-scale hydrogen electric generator.

VII. References

R.A 9513. (n.d.). Retrieved July 18, 2019, from https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra

2008/ra_9513_2008.html

Xinhua. (2017). Retrieved from http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-

09/29/c_136648509.htm

Kaunda, C. S., Kimambo, C. Z., & Nielsen, T. K. (2012). “Hydropower in the Context of Sustainable
Energy Supply: A Review of Technologies and Challenges,” ISRN Renewable Energy, vol.
2012, Article ID 730631, 15 pages, https://doi.org/10.5402/2012/730631

Obinelo, M. (n.d.). Retrieved July 30, 2019, from https://www.quora.com/Why-is-electricity-so-

important-for-a-countrys-economic-development