Definition of Cost-Effective River-Turbine Designs. Final Report, September 30, 1980-December 31, 1981

摘要

AeroVironment Inc. (AV) has been studying low pressure run-of-the-river turbines. These river turbine units will operate on the equivalent of less than 0.2 m (7 in.) of head, and in a river with a reasonable current resource, the units are estimated to produce cost-effective electricity. Two system concepts have been evaluated in this study: a ducted turbine system, and a free-rotor system. The ducted turbine uses an augmenter duct to increase volume flow through the turbine rotor, and the free-rotor system is essentially an underwater windmill. The program consisted of the following tasks: define river current resources; design ducted and free-rotor systems and develop performance estimates; determine system cost estimates and conduct an economic analysis; and conduct a model test program to substantiate duct augmentation. The overall conclusion is that both ducted and free-rotor turbine systems can produce cost-effective electricity. The optimum 3.05-m (10-ft) ducted unit was rated at 20 kW, with an installed system cost of $12,200. The optimum 3.05-m (10-ft) free-rotor unit was rated at 15 kW, with an installed system cost of $9,740. With operating and maintenance costs estimated to be $1,000 per year, the cost of energy for either unit was determined to be less than 50 mills/kWh, when the units were considered with the better river resources studied. (ERA citation 07:042711)