Pico-hydro testing facilities at the NTUA
The small hydro testing facility is located at the fluids section of the Mechanical Engineering department of the NTUA. Water from a reservoir can be directed through pipes and gate valves to the pico-hydro testing site with the use of a pump to specify head and flow, and then is returned to the reservoir. Flow and pressure are measured at the entrance of the manifold using a paddle wheel flow meter and a pressure sensor. Different electrical load setups can be arranged such as grid connection, direct battery connection and battery connection with a MPPT DC/DC converter. All electrical data are logged with the use of a power analyzer. A 500W turgo pico-hydroelectric plant has been tested with the use of various axial flux permanent magnet generators, different load setups and various runners, some of them manufactured with 3D printing technologies.
Rural Electrification Research Group 