Implementation of a Floating Archimedes Screw Pikohydro System for Ultra-Low Head Irrigation Channels

Abstract

Irrigation canals with ultra-low head conditions have the potential as a source of renewable energy, but they have not been optimally utilized due to the limitations of conventional hydropower plants. This study aims to design, implement, and evaluate the performance of the Archimedes Screw turbine-based floating Picohydro Power Plant (PLTPH) in the Tukad Ayung Mambal irrigation canal. The design was carried out based on the results of hydraulic characteristics measurements, then validated using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations on ANSYS before being implemented in the field. The measurement results showed a water discharge of 0.53 m³/s and a flow speed of 0.30 m/s, with a theoretical power potential of 23.85 W. The turbine designed has a diameter of 0.12 m, a length of 0.50 m, four threads, and a thread angle of 8°, with an estimated power of 21.94 W. Simulations show a low pressure drop, namely 16.2 Pa in the turbine and 1.97 Pa in the floating PLTPH system. Field tests yielded an average of 0.91 W of electrical power or 21.84 Wh of daily energy, with a system efficiency of 4.14% of the theoretical power. The results of the study show that the Archimedes Screw turbine based floating PLTPH has the potential to be a solution for the use of renewable energy in irrigation canals with ultra-low head conditions.