Microhydro turbine to provide cheap electricity in remote areas

MANILA, Philippines - Researchers at the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) are developing a microhydro turbine to provide low-cost electricity in far-flung areas.

The DOST’s Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC) said the microhydro turbine will also be used for irrigation to help local farmers and communities living away from power grids.

“The dual function of microhydro turbine would make it a very helpful facility,” Science Secretary Mario Montejo said. “It helps increase crop yield by pumping water into the fields and provide power to remote communities,” he said.

The microhydro turbine is a hydraulic system that integrates pump and turbine for pumping water, an action that generates electricity. The pump and turbine share one prime mover powered by water.  

With the installed centrifugal pump in the turbine’s water power shaft, part of the power is used by the pump to deliver water at higher elevation for irrigation use.

Meanwhile, the remaining power is utilized by converting mechanical energy into electricity, from DC 12 volts to AC 220 volts.

“The generated electricity is low-cost and serves as a clean replacement for fuels, such as kerosene and diesel, which are often expensive and a source of pollutants,” Montejo said.

Montejo said the MIRDC is currently field testing the prototype turbine to determine its full capacity.

“The turbine’s centrifugal pump has a capacity of 60 liters/minute. Its turbine is run-off-the-river propeller type, with a one kilowatt capacity, a 130 liters/second volume flow and 1.5 meters head. An automotive type, the turbine has both AC and DC alternator. An input of 12 volts and output of 220 volts,” Montejo said.

Montejo said the turbine project aims to help Filipino farmers and provide electricity to residents in remote areas.

According to reports, there are 30,000 sitios all over the country without electricity.

Out of the 30,000 sitios, Mindanao has the most number of sub-villages without electricity at 13,000, while 99 percent of Luzon and Visayas regions already have electricity.