Assessment of Low Head, Micro Hydroelectric Equipment for Use on Small Tropical Islands

摘要

An investigation was made of two potential sites on an underdeveloped tropical island (Ponape island) for installing a micro-hydroelectric generation unit. The technology for this development already exists and has been proven to be cost-effective in developed countries. Preliminary investigations were made to size candidate units, manufacturers of hydro equipment suitable for installation at these sites were identified, and price quotations were obtained. Daily discharge data for four rivers were used to obtain flow-duration curves. The curves indicated that the hydrologic regimes of the rivers were similar. Hence, the mean line through the curves could be used as a prediction for other watersheds in the same general area. Estimated flow and power-duration curves were developed for each of the two sites. Recommendations for equipment requirements were derived for each site from the power-duration curves.