Design of a Turbine Emulator for a Pico-Hydrokinetic Power Generation System

Pico-Hydrokinetic Power Plants (PHKPP) harness kinetic energy from water flow and offer a viable alternative for reducing reliance on fossil-based energy sources. In higher education, however, instruction related to PHKPP is predominantly theoretical due to limitations such as insufficient laboratory infrastructure, restricted access to field installations, and the unavailability of adequate simulation platforms. Consequently, students often face difficulties in comprehending both the fundamental principles and operational complexities of pico-hydrokinetic systems. This study presents the development of a PHKPP emulator designed as a cost-effective instructional medium capable of representing real operating conditions. The research employs a quantitative methodology, integrating the ADDIE instructional design framework with experimental testing. The proposed emulator facilitates performance evaluation of PHKPP systems and enables experiential learning related to turbine behavior, control strategies, and energy conversion efficiency. The emulator platform comprises two independent units. Each unit simulates a turbine using a three-phase induction motor coupled with a Variable Speed Drive, while power generation is achieved through a single-phase induction generator with a 2 HP rating. Turbine characteristics are implemented within a microprocessor-based controller, allowing motor speed regulation to reflect realistic operating profiles. Synchronization of the two emulators to a single-phase grid is accomplished using a synchroscope. Furthermore, the inclusion of the Jensen wake effect model enhances the realism of the simulated system behavior. Evaluation results obtained from student implementation indicate that the developed emulator significantly improves learning effectiveness. Questionnaire results show very positive responses across all evaluation aspects, including functionality, ease of use, relevance to learning, design quality, and overall impression, with an average score of 4.43 out of 5. The majority of participants agreed or strongly agreed that the emulator enhanced their conceptual understanding of pico-hydrokinetic power plant operation and generator synchronization