a b
c
Figure 2:
a MS by Research on failure analysis of Pelton runner for Khimti HP [8] b Design of IEC standard Francis and Pelton test rigs at TTL from Master students of NTNU
c Design and computational analysis of a bifurcation for DaraundiKhola HP
c. Leading the research activities into next level
TTL has also been conducting several other research activities focusing on the sustainable and renewable energy technology in the context of Nepal. One of such activities includes
identification of the technical feasibility and conditions of use of Reversible Pump Turbines RPT in Nepal and designing such an RPT for a feasible site condition[7]. This was the second
project funded by Renewable Nepal program in 2013-2014. This project had Chilime HP as the industrial partner and the site feasibility was also done in the premises of Chilime and
Bhotekoshi River. A local industry called D-Matrix Pvt. Ltd. was the manufacturing partner for manufacturing the scale down model of the designed turbine, as a demonstration unit at TTL.
There have also been some other research activities done in the lab such as wind turbine rotor design and analysis through computations and experiments, use of PIV techniques for fluid and
particle behavior in the turbine and advanced computational techniques, in order to build higher competences in research and taking the research level of Nepalese institutions to next level.
a b
c d
Figure 3:
a RPT designed by TTL and manufactured in a local company b Wind turbine blade printed in the 3-D printer for testing purpose c PIV in a Pelton Bucket
c CFD analysis of a Pelton turbine conducted in a MS by Research work[9]
d. Contributions in uplifting the Micro Hydro Status of Nepal
Micro Hydro plants in Nepal are becoming increasingly popular as an energy source in rural
Nepal. There are more than 27 micro hydro turbine manufacturers and more than 2500 Micro Hydro Projects MHP in the country. In future these micro hydro turbine projects and
manufacturers are expected to increase; and continue its contribution significantly for electrifying Nepal. Thus, RD to promote MHP in Nepal has been crucial.With a mission to
make renewable energy mainstream resource to rural areas of Nepal, AEPC is providing subsidy to micro hydropower projects. Cross flow turbine is widely used in micro hydropower plants.
Although standard for Micro Hydro exists and is put into practice, it is rather simple. Hydraulic efficiency is not measured, but is calculated from the empirical relation of generator. For a micro
hydropower plant, only the electrical output is of major concern. So to obtain design output at lower turbine efficiency has led to oversizing of micro hydro turbines. Annually millions of
rupees are being wasted by the use of larger turbine than needed. Pertaining to the need of standardizing micro hydro turbines and testing facilities for these turbines, AEPC has granted
fund for the project 2014-2015 of establishing micro hydro turbine test rigs at TTL so as to uplift the status of micro hydro in Nepal. Testing standards and testing procedures relevant to
present context of Nepal will be developed in this project.
In course of completion of the project funded by AEPC,Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning KETEP has also paid a great interest in motivating the research
culture in micro hydro sector of Nepal. In 2015, KU in collaboration with KMOU Korea Maritime Ocean University has received a fund for developing 5 kW and 20 kW cross flow
turbine in a feasible site of Nepal, with design optimization in regard to the erosion effect. The 3 year project will include a PhD enrollment and all the design, testing and analysis works will be
carried out in the lab, whereas the manufacturing will be done in Korea. It is also planned to manufacture the turbines alternatively in Nepal so that the design competences in Nepal can be
enhanced.
a b
c
Figure 4:
a Test rig layout design b Manufacturing at Krishna Grill c Pelton turbine rig installed at TTL
3. Models for enhancement of RD activities of TTL
