Article citationsMore>>

Park, J., Mangano, M., Seraj, S., Pacini, B., Liao, Y., Knight, B., Naik, K., Maki, K., Martins, J., Sun, J. and Pan, Y. (2024) CFD-Based Design Optimization of a 5 kW Ducted Hydrokinetic Turbine with Practical Constraints.
https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5038902

has been cited by the following article:

• TITLE: Design and Optimisation of Micro-Hydraulic Turbines Suitable for Rural Areas in Africa

  AUTHORS: Jean Pierre Ngoma, Godswill Yong Fointama, Wilba Christophe Kikmo, Olena Rubanenko

  KEYWORDS: Hydraulic Microturbines, Parametric Optimisation, Rural Areas of Africa, Renewable Energy, Multiphysics Modelling

  JOURNAL NAME: Journal of Power and Energy Engineering, Vol.13 No.8, August 25, 2025

  ABSTRACT: Access remains a critical issue energetically in rural Africa. Unstable water resources and grossly inadequate electrical infrastructure characterise this region primarily due to such harsh environmental factors existing. The present study proposes an integrated approach for designing micro-hydraulic turbines optimised rather cleverly under varying local hydrodynamic conditions and socio-economic contexts. Devices capable of operating effectively under varying river flows with low energy consumption will be developed through this research. Devices should be made from local materials reducing production costs significantly and lowering maintenance expenses over time considerably. Advanced mathematical modelling of multiphysical hydraulic flows gets combined with multi-criteria parametric optimisation techniques very intricately nowadays. Maximising extracted power while maintaining mechanical robustness and ease of operation simultaneously is achieved through this carefully crafted combination. Experimental validations and numerical simulations confirm significant improvement in energy efficiency relative to conventional micro-turbines with excellent adaptability amidst seasonal fluctuations in water resources. Sophisticated mathematical models are coherently integrated into technical design yielding an optimised prototype economically viable for rural African areas. Sustainable energy autonomy gets promoted for isolated communities and local socio-economic development gets stimulated thereby proffering innovative solutions for Africa’s peculiar energy quandaries.