IoT Enabled Water Flow Management and Monitoring System for Hydroelectric Power Generation

Water energy sources play a crucial role, particularly in providing electrical energy through hydroelectric power. Both the water flow rate and the water head determine the potential energy available from water. The hydroelectric system's energy generation directly depends on the water flow rate. A lower flow rate means less water is available to generate energy, even if the head is high. It is essential to increase the potential of the water flow so that it can generate enough electricity. Traditionally, the flow rate is restricted due to the limited capacity of single penstock. This work addresses this issue by introducing multiple penstock-based water flow management systems. Also, conventional water flow monitoring systems often face limitations, like relying on manual measurement, as it only provides periodic data, making it difficult to respond quickly to changes in flow conditions. IoT-based flow sensors leverage IoT technology to monitor water flow and transmit flow data in real-time, enabling operators to detect fluctuating flow conditions and implement timely adjustments to processes, therefore enhancing the overall efficiency. This work aims to design and develop an IoT-enabled prototype hydroelectric power generation system using multiple water flows for enhancing power generation efficiency. The prototype indicates the use of multiple pipes as penstocks in a dam. Additionally, if generating a significant amount of electricity is not required, the water flow can be discontinued, thereby automatically closing each pipeline. This work uses flow sensors, Kitsware software, Arduino IoT Cloud, and an LCD display to generate flow measurement data every ten seconds from multiple pipelines. Moreover, the system automatically generates Excel data and graphically represents multiple water flows, enabling the user to compare the water flow data. The completed work resulted in a hydropower system demonstrating enhanced output and effective compatibility with IoT for remote access.