Faculty Advisor
Shockey, Ingrid K.
Faculty Advisor
Tuler, Seth
Center
India
Sponsor
IIT-Mandi
Abstract
Himachal Pradesh is the largest producer of hydroelectricity in India, and boasts a 99.8% rural electrification rate. However, micro-hydropower is electrical power with off-grid applications that does not cause the negative impacts of large-scale projects. Our team researched the viability of using micro-hydro turbines to power individual households. We conducted interviews with 39 people across eight locations to understand the electrical needs of the community as wells as opinions on micro-hydro projects. We then constructed a micro-turbine prototype and tested it at a local river site. Finally, we made several recommendations for improvements to our prototype as well as continued research on the feasibility of micro-hydro technologies.
Publisher
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Date Accepted
May 2018
Project Type
Interactive Qualifying Project
Copyright Statement
All authors have granted to WPI a nonexclusive royalty-free license to distribute copies of the work, subject to other agreements. Copyright is held by the author or authors, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise noted.
Accessibility
Unrestricted
Advisor Department
Interdisciplinary Programs
Project Center
India