College - Author 1
College of Engineering
Department - Author 1
Electrical Engineering Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Electrical Engineering
College - Author 2
College of Engineering
Department - Author 2
Electrical Engineering Department
Degree - Author 2
BS in Electrical Engineering
Date
6-2024
Primary Advisor
Clay McKell, College of Engineering, Electrical Engineering Department
Additional Advisors
Dale Dolan, College of Engineering, Electrical Engineering Department
Abstract/Summary
In 2020, Utica Water and Power Authority (UWPA) commissioned the development and installation of a micro hydropower system for Ross Dam in northern California. The micro-hydro system was intended to serve as a reliable source of renewable energy to power on-site equipment for monitoring the Ross Reservoir. Despite its innovative approach, the system encountered operational shortcomings, including frequent mechanical failures, rapid wear, and an inability to adapt to variable flow rates. To address these challenges, UWPA has commissioned interdisciplinary teams of Mechanical Engineering (ME) and Electrical Engineering (EE) students to redesign the micro hydropower system. The ME team was entrusted with designing and prototyping a turbine to convert the kinetic energy of the water outflow of the dam into rotational kinetic energy for driving a generator. Meanwhile, the EE team was tasked with engineering an electrical system that integrates with the ME team’s turbine design to continuously generate and deliver 150W of electrical power to the MPPT charge controller for charging on-site, 24V batteries. Additionally, the EE team was assigned with redesigning and implementing a new method of battery overcharge protection. Working in collaboration with the ME team, EE team was able to successfully design, construct, test, and deliver a reliable electrical system that integrates with the ME team’s new Pelton wheel turbine, generates and delivers at least 150W of electrical power to existing MPPT charge controller for charging the on-site batteries, and diverts excess electrical power through a dump load as a form of battery overvoltage protection. Based on the expected operating conditions at Ross Dam and results from full system integration between the two teams, the micro-hydro system is expected to produce approximately 220W, satisfying the 150W requirement put forth by UWPA. On June 9, 2024 the turbine and electrical system were collected by UWPA and are now ready for installation at Ross Dam.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/eesp/632