Search

The Archimedes screw generator (ASG) is a cost-effective, eco-friendly micro-hydropower technology that can operate effectively in low head and moderate flow rate environments. The technology is well suited for distributed micro-hydropower and off-grid energy schemes, and its simple, robust design allows for local manufacturing and installation in developing regions. There are many successful ASG powerplants installed on- and off-grid, particularly in Europe. Archimedes screw generators are largely designed by experience. As such, there is a need for an accurate performance model in the literature to optimize plant design. There is a lack of experimental data in the literature, particularly for large-scale, real-world screw plants. This study sought to gather both qualitative and quantitative data and introduce it to the literature. The authors surveyed and measured various Archimedes screw powerplants in the United Kingdom. The measurements were then added to a larger dataset to validate a CFD simulation across a range of screw sizes: from a small 15 cm diameter laboratory screw to a large 3.5 m diameter powerplant. The authors plan to use the CFD simulation's accurate approximations to further the literature's ASG performance data for a wide range of screw sizes, shapes, and operational parameter. • There is a lack of performance data for Archimedes screw generators in the literature, particularly for large-scale, real-world powerplants. • This study gathered both qualitative and quantitative data and introduce it to the literature. • The authors surveyed and measured 11 powerplants plants surveyed – 3 of them were visited to gather more in-depth data. • Flow rate, power, rotation speed, and water levels were measured at two powerplants to yield usable data for model development/evaluation. • Powerplant performance was evaluated. At tested operating conditions, they generated power at river-to-wire efficiencies of 74.5% and 75.3%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]