Harnessing hydroelectric power using Savonius rotor coupled with asynchronous generator connected to grid

Abstract

The present investigation is aimed at exploring the feasibility of using vertical axis turbine which, otherwise, is ideally suited for wind energy conversion system (WECS), for hydropower generation. River water currents are potentially significant and reliable source of power generation and currently no significant work has been carried out to tap this source of energy. Electrical energy can be efficiently extracted from these free running rivers using vertical axis rotors that are similar in design and function to wind turbines but extract energy through hydrodynamic rather than aerodynamic mechanism. This paper presents possible generation of electrical power using Savonius rotor by coupling it with asynchronous generator, connected directly to grid. The model of each part such as Savonius rotor, asynchronous generator, and transmission line is proposed using MATLAB/Simulink. The model is tested for different velocities of river water and results are presented. � 2013 IEEE.