Abstract
The growing demand for clean, reliable, and affordable energy has increased interest in small-scale hydroelectric systems, particularly for rural and off-grid communities. Mini hydropower offers a practical and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional electricity generation, especially in regions affected by power shortages and rising energy costs. This study focuses on optimizing a mini hydroelectric generation system by investigating how the geometric design of a cross-flow turbine influences its performance. The effects of runner diameter and number of blades on power output and hydraulic efficiency were examined.
Analytical calculations based on standard hydropower equations were first carried out to estimate baseline system performance. These calculations were supported by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations conducted in SolidWorks Flow Simulation to analyze water flow behavior, pressure distribution, and torque generation for different turbine configurations. Runner diameters between 450 mm and 700 mm and blade numbers ranging from 22 to 32 were evaluated.
The results showed that both turbine diameter and blade number have a strong influence on system performance. Increasing the runner diameter improved power output and efficiency by enhancing water–blade interaction, but beyond a certain point, frictional losses and flow separation reduced performance. Similarly, efficiency increased with blade number up to an optimum value, after which excessive blade blockage restricted water flow. The optimal configuration was found to be a runner diameter of 600 mm with 28 blades, which produced the highest efficiency and power output. The findings provide useful guidance for the cost-effective design of mini hydropower systems and support the wider use of renewable energy in areas with limited electricity access.