Run River Pico-Hydro System from Water Treatment Effluent Discharge

Hydropower is a type of renewable energy which is derived from the energy possesses within water available from natural sources. Pico-hydro power is a small scheme hydro power plant where the power generation is less than 5 kW. Sewage Treatment Plant in Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS has components which requires at least 125 kW for operation. With increment in the electricity rate and tariff from national utility company, implementation of hydro system which can extract power from the water effluent discharge is realized. This project focuses on the possibility of installing a pico-hydro scheme at the treatment facilities in order to produce self-sufficient power; where low head water stream is available. Pelton turbine is a type of impulse turbine which is commonly used in a micro-hydro scheme throughout the world. The usage of Pelton turbine in this project will provide a relation on the performance of the turbine related to the velocity of water flowing in the stream. Hydro system components have been fabricated through manufacturing processes (e.g. welding, lathe). Site testing for drainage is assessed for feasibility in which other method is considered if the project is unachievable at site. The performance of the turbine in terms of power output and efficiency has been evaluated based on results obtained through tap water testing.