Performance of a Low Cost Spoon-Based Turgo Turbine for Pico Hydro Installation

Pico hydro is a solution that may be appropriately applied to increase electrification ratio in remote areas. To make this possible, pico hydro must have a low investment cost and simple piping systems. The embodiment of this is Turgo turbine manufacturing using spoons and 3/4 inch pipe. The test results show that the Turgo turbine has a realtively stable efficiency on different flow rate compared to Pelton turbine because the energy transfer in the next bucket is not blocked by the flow the jet. In addition, the investment cost of Turgo turbine is $ 48, lower than Pelton turbine of $ 822. Moreover, the shape of Turgo turbine is also simpler and uses a smaller piping system than any other study. Thus, the tested Turgo turbine can be one of the methods that may be used to increase electrification ratios in remote areas. (C) 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.