Achievement of Hydropower Development
1. Capacity building of existing hydraulic laboratory (HL)
HL has upgraded its piping network from 8” to 10“in its premises and 3 new distribution tanks has been constructed. The upgraded piping network and the distribution tanks will be helpful for various model testing. After enhancing the capacity of the existing HL by completion of modified water conveyance system, four physical model studies have been completed. Similarly, one numerical hydraulic model in the field of hydraulics and sedimentation has been accomplished. For the geological facilities at HL, geological software, elasticity modulas test facility and equipment for in situ test (Hydro fracture) has been procured. Moreover, some additional equipment which do not exist in the Nepalese market, but essential to enhance the service of geological laboratory have been in the process of procurement. Such equipment consists; Alkali Aggregate Reaction Bath, Slake durability, Direct Shear etc.
In-house training on numerical modelling has been completed using free software as a partial activity among others. Moreover, under the collaborative research activities with Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI), Kyoto University a three days training was conducted on numerical modelling. Academic activities for 1 PhD out of 2 planned has been completed and 2nd PhD will start from this year. Providing technical assistance and guidance to MSc thesis and research was planned for 5 students. Out of 5 students, 4 has already completed thesis defense, whereas 5 more students are conducting their thesis and research works under Hydro Lab guidance and supervision. HL has published 2 peer reviewed articles in the research sector. Additionally, 4 articles were published in an international and national journal after reviewed by proceedings editors. Technical excursions for two groups have been organized. Short term training to the Project Engineers and technical staffs have been conducted through several workshops, conferences, seminars and short-term vocational trainings. Talk Programmes are regularly being organized at HL. Week-long international workshops were jointly organized by Hydro Lab and International Centre for Hydropower (ICH), Norway in 2018 and 2020. To disseminate the technical knowledge, HL has been organizing numerous (27 visits have been done out of target of 15) educational visit to HL for students and stakeholders. HL has also developed several research proposals (out of total target of 2) for possible funding from external agencies. Among those, 2 research projects (one with Chigasaki Research Institute of JPower, Japan and the other with Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI), Kyoto University, Japan) were signed and implemented.
However, procurement of laboratory instruments for hydraulic laboratory are ongoing which are expected to be completed by mid-July 2022. Read More
2. Establishment of center for design, operation and maintenance of mechanical equipment for hydropower plants
The main target of this component was to design and install IEC standard hydro turbine test rig within premises of Kathmandu University. Design of IEC standard hydro turbine test rig has been completed and installed. However, calibration and instrumentation of the test rig is expected to be accomplished by end of year 4. In parallel, Kathmandu University has been developing performance testing procedure to test a hydro turbine in the newly established facility. Once the facility is fully developed and calibrated, numerical validation of new design concepts will be done, and a model Francis turbine runner will be fabricated and performance of the same will be done. In line with this facility development, Kathmandu University, has been developing competent human resources in the field of hydro turbines. Two PhD researchers and 2 MS researchers are supported as per the target. Four peer-reviewed articles have been published as per the project plan.