Hydrokinetic powered irrigation network automation: A scalable architecture for the enablement of real-time automated decentralized control of the irrigation water delivery system in developing countries

This paper proposes an innovative design for the enablement of smart irrigation networks. The proposed design is a self-sustaining system that relies on harnessing hydrokinetic power at a suitable scale from slow moving water bodies. Our proposed design, Hydrokinetic powered Irrigation Network Automation (HINA), serves as a building block for network expansion and integration. HINA is a novel design for a unique opportunity to explore renewable energy potential of extremely slow moving waters in irrigation canals and the overall approach takes into account different factors like cost, efficiency, performance, scalability and reliability. The aim is to optimize all these factors simultaneously. This paper deals with the design, simulation, testing and implementation of HINA. It has three sub-units: Power Generation Unit (PGU), the Power Electronic Unit (PEU) and the Motor Drive Unit (MDU). Different design components are analyzed, modeled, simulated and tested to verify the working principles. A prototype system is also implemented and its working is verified in our laboratory before finally being tested and installed at a local irrigation canal, Khaira distributary in Lahore, Pakistan.