Induction Generator Control and Monitoring System for Micro-hydro Power Plants

The study is concerned with the evaluation of the performance of a locally made Induction Generator Control and Monitoring System (IGCMS) for micro-hydro plants implemented using mark-space ratio technique in low-cost microcontrollers. The heart of a micro-hydro power plant is the generator, the device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. Most commonly used generators are the Synchronous generator (SG) and the Induction generator (IG). Induction generators have the advantage of being cheap, readily available, and robust. However, the difficulty in determining its capacitance requirements and of controlling its generated voltage and frequency under varying loads present major challenges. This paper proposes the use of low cost microcontroller based induction generator load control and monitoring system employing mark-space ratio technology. Results showed this to be a comparatively accurate and economical means of controlling micro hydro generators.