Potential Energy
Kinetic Energy
Mechanical
Energy
Electrical
Energy
The following tables provide an indication of the typical efficiencies (due to energy losses experienced)
at some key components of the micro-hydro village electrification schemes.
Component
Channel, filter and settling tanks
Penstock
Turbine
Generator
Efficiency (%)
98
90
75
82
For example, if the only energy losses of a scheme are as stated above, the overall efficiency of the
scheme can be expresses as the multiplication of the efficiencies at each stage. In this instance, the
overall efficiency can be worked out as follows
Overall efficiency
= 98% x 90% x 75% x 82%
= 54%
Therefore, the actual electrical power output that can be harnessed in the case of the example in section
2 above is,
Output electrical power = 17,658 X 54%
= 9,578 Watts
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