Comparative Study of Generator Efficiency in Hydroelectric Power Plant and Microhydro Power Plant

Abstract

Generators function as the center of electricity generation in various systems, including large-scale systems such as hydroelectric power plants and small-scale systems such as micro-hydroelectric power plants. Generators require turbines to operate, the turbines are driven by water flowing in the hydroelectric power plant center, utilizing the mechanical energy generated from the fluid flow. The kinetic energy of the fluid is converted into mechanical energy used to rotate the rotor in the generator. The generator can produce an alternating voltage of 25,000 Volts. This process will produce induction when a conductor wire moves through a magnetic field. EMF (electromotive force) with changes in magnetic flux and depends on the type of core and the number of coil turns used. The electromagnet rotates in another set of coils, thus generating electricity in the outer coil device. In hydroelectric power plants, water falling from the dam is used as a source of energy to drive the turbine. Factors that can affect the size of the electromotive force are: the number of turns on the coil, the speed of the magnetic field, and the number of magnetic field lines or flux. The purpose of writing this article is to explain the concept of generator efficiency and compare the efficiency between hydroelectric power plants and micro-hydroelectric power plants. The method used in writing this article is a literature study on the topic of Electromotive Force, one of which is the generator. The generator discussed in this article is an alternating current generator, also discussing the efficiency of the generator at the Wonogiri Hydroelectric Power Plant and the Parakandowo Micro Hydroelectric Power Plant in Pekalongan Regency. The working principle of the electric generator is the electromagnetic induction system. The development of generators for renewable energy power plants can be seen in the use of various types of generatorsr to generate large power, more efficient technology, and environmentally friendly. The efficiency results obtained for the Wonogiri Hydroelectric Power Plant for 7 days, the lowest efficiency was in74.44% occurred when the load was 3.6 MW, while the highest efficiency of 92.85% occurred when given a load of 6.2 MW, while for the Parakandowo PLTMH in Pekalongan Regency it was carried out for 3 days with an average efficiency of 65.33%, this happened because of the weather during the dry season, lack of low water discharge, generator efficiency decreased because it was not operating at optimal capacity.