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Design of Microturbines Kaplan and Turgo for Microgeneration Systems: Challenges and Adaptations

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Design of Microturbines Kaplan and Turgo for Microgeneration Systems: Challenges and Adaptations Modern Environmental Science and Engineering (ISSN 2333-2581) August 2018, Volume 4, No. 8, pp. 702-711 Doi: 10.15341/mese(2333-2581)/08.04.2018/002 Academic Star Publishing Company, 2018 www.academicstar.us Design of Microturbines Kaplan and Turgo for Microgeneration Systems: Challenges and Adaptations Teresa Maria Reyna, Santiago Reyna, María Lábaque, César Riha, Belén Irazusta, and Agustín Fragueiro Faculty of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences, National University of Cordoba, Argentina Abstract: The mini-hydraulic systems can be used in all cases where a watercourse is available, even if small, with a fall of even a few meters. The introduction of hydroelectric mini-systems has a reduced impact since the majority use of the watercourse, which may be vital for the provision of isolated areas, is not modified. Mini-hydraulics is the term that is used for hydroelectric power plants of less than 10 MW. Hydroelectric mini-plants are simple, environmentally friendly and useful for near-installation applications. They require a few components: turbine group — generator — and a regulatory system. In order to accelerate the implementation of alternative systems in rural areas, and to make this a standard practice, it is necessary to develop equipment adapted to the conditions of the area; and adapt them for their progressive production in local industries. There is an unmet demand for reliable equipment that can supply small amounts of energy at low cost. In this context, three projects with the aim of to designing micro turbines have been developed at the National University of Córdoba with the objective of establishing the feasibility of construction and development with local technology. Key words: microturbines, microgeneration systems, renewable energy, micro hydroelectric [1]. Development needs a socially and physically 1. Introduction balanced environment, but the consequences of climate As defined by the National Oceanographic and change are not making it possible. Thus, the Atmospheric and Administration (NOAA), climate consequences of climate change in the economies, in change consists of long-term fluctuations in the population and in the ecosystems are indicators that temperature, precipitation, wind, and all other aspects if the current trajectory is maintained, the negative of the Earth’s climate. The United National Framework consequences will probably increase [2]. Convention on Climate Change describes the The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [3] phenomenon as a change of climate global atmosphere, in its Special Report on Renewable Energy Sources and and that is, in addition to natural climate variability, Climate Change Mitigation (SRREN) analyzes observable over comparable time periods. estimates on the installation of renewables in various Climate change and energy are two sides of the same scenarios, considering that in most of the 164 cases coin: much of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions analyzed there will be a significant increase in the come from the energy sector in its various forms deployment of renewable energy in the horizons of (including transport). That is why the solution to the 2030 and 2050. In this case, more than half of the problem involves a fundamental change in the energy scenarios assume that renewable energies will system, which will largely only be possible with a represent a production of more than 17% of total greater participation of renewables in the energy mix primary energy by 2030, increasing to more than 27% in 2050. In fact, the most optimistic scenarios raise the Corresponding author: Teresa Maria Reyna, Dr.; research areas/interests: renewable energy. E-mail: previous figures to 43% in 2030 and 77% in 2050. [email protected]. Design of Microturbines Kaplan and Turgo for Microgeneration Systems: Challenges and Adaptations 703 The causes of climate change are found in current also be affected. However, there are adaptation options. production and consumption patterns. The further we Significant cuts in GHG emissions can be achieved go in the fight against CC (climate change), the more through various measures from the energy sector. we will have to work on the economic and social These include reducing emissions from the extraction elements. Likewise, it happens with the effects of CC, and conversion of fossil fuels, switching to less carbon the deeper they are, the more they will affect society fuels (for example, from coal to gas), improving energy and the economy. However, the impacts of climate efficiency in transmission and distribution, the change in our region are already expected, which is increasing use of energy renewable energies and the why it is essential to make progress in the adaptation generation of nuclear energy, the introduction of process that reduces the risk of the most vulnerable carbon capture and storage (CCS), and the reduction of population and at the same time admits the reduction of final energy demand. There is a growing awareness of poverty and inequality levels. The regional projections, the environmental effects of the current system of under different scenarios, indicate that it is necessary to economic development, such as climate change, acid profoundly modify the forms of production, rain or the hole in the ozone layer. distribution and consumption in order to move towards Changing the behavior of the big emitters of carbon economic systems that generate less CO2 emissions. As is one of the keys to success in addressing climate can be inferred, placing the economies of the region on change because fewer than 20 countries are responsible the path of low emissions requires facing a difficult for 80% of the world´s carbon emissions. Changing the transformation in the industrial sectors, especially behavior of the emitters has been fraught with those that consume the most energy. problems [4]. To adapt to such an important increase in the role of Modern societies, which sustain their growth in an renewables, especially in the electricity sector, energy energy system based mainly on obtaining energy systems must evolve considerably. In the long term, through fossil fuels, are increasingly inclined towards integration efforts could include investment in the adoption of measures that protect our planet. This is infrastructures, modification of institutional reflected in current national policies and international frameworks and planning, and capacity to forecast the agreements and treaties that include as a priority growth of these energy sources. The development of objective a sustainable development that does not electric vehicles, the increase in electric cooling and compromise the natural resources of future generations heating, the flexibility in demand (smart meters), the [5]. storage of energy, among other phenomena, can be Much of the technology that dies and will underpin associated with this trend [1]. sustainability is based on science that is still evolving. A new field, sustainability science, is preparing the 2. Electric Energy and Climate Change foundations for technological development that Climate change presents increasing challenges for parallel the general intent of sustainability. Some of the the production and transmission of energy. The endeavors include work on: ecosystem resilience, progressive increase in temperature, the increasing industrial ecology, earth system complexity, number and severity of extreme weather events and the yield-enhancing, land-saving agriculture, change in precipitation patterns will affect the nature-society interactions, renewable energy systems production and supply of energy. and biomimicry, to name but a few [6]. The supply of fossil fuels, and the generation and The promotion of renewable energy technologies transmission of thermal and hydroelectric energy, will offers a double advantage: energy diversification and 704 Design of Microturbines Kaplan and Turgo for Microgeneration Systems: Challenges and Adaptations the hope of development for many poor and isolated may require additional political support and imply communities that are not connected to the grids of higher costs [8]. transport and electrical distribution. The supply of Mitigation policies can create under-exploited energy to isolated communities is conceived as support sectors of activities linked to water, such as energy for their productive, domestic and commercial efficiency, renewable energies, water reuse and uses of activities. Consequently, it is considered as a strategic water of different quality according to their destination. component within a framework for development work 3. Hydroelectricity [7]. In Córdoba, a few years ago, the power available in Hydroelectricity is a mature technology. Hydraulic the electricity market is lower than the peak electricity turbines have global efficiencies of around 90%, at demand. In turn, the rural population is 11.3% of the their highest efficiency point. This distinguishes them population of the Province and 6% is in isolated areas. from other sources of energy. 30% of the rural population is considered not to be What is new about hydroelectricity has to do with connected to the electricity distribution system. That is where to apply it, on which scale, and how to solve the why, in particular, the development and study of problem the generation matrix, that is, how it is linked certain energies in principle with high potential in the to other alternative energy systems. province are of interest: mini and micro However, its evolution has not come to
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