TITLE:
Development of Hybrid Turbines Adapted to High Flow Variation Conditions in Cameroonian Rivers
AUTHORS:
Jean Pierre Ngoma, Petro Lezhnyuk, Godswill Yong Fointama, Wilba Christophe Kikmo, Andre Abanda, Ruben M. Mouangue
KEYWORDS:
Hybrid Turbines, Variable Flow, Intelligent Control, Multiphysics Modeling, Hydroelectric Energy
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Power and Energy Engineering,
Vol.13 No.8,
August
22,
2025
ABSTRACT: Pronounced seasonal variability inherent in tropical river flow regimes greatly hinders rational exploitation of Cameroon’s considerable hydroelectric potential. Instability can severely compromise the performance of conventional turbines generally designed for operation within relatively stable near-stationary flow environments. The present study proposes novel design of hybrid turbines with adaptive modules ensuring optimal efficiency amid considerable fluctuations in hydrological conditions rather quickly. Research aims to develop a novel turbomachinery design operating under both laminar flow and deliberately induced turbulent conditions simultaneously. A sophisticated electromechanical control system leveraging real-time predictive hydrological data analysis will be paired with it pretty seamlessly. Multiphysics modelling encompassing hydrodynamics and fluid mechanics alongside energy optimisation is employed with numerical simulations of extreme flow scenarios validated experimentally on hydraulic test benches. Findings suggest huge boosts in energy efficiency up to 35% during low-flow phases and greater functional stability across diverse river conditions. Research contribution lies mostly in designing somewhat modular resilient hybrid systems capable of ensuring energy production within highly unstable hydrological settings. Sustainable electrification of remote regions gets a boost from this approach which offers substantial technical advancement in tropical hydropower engineering.