PUMP ROOM

TURBINE TESTING LAB

Norwegian Agency for Development Corporation (NORAD)University Grant CommissionChilime Hydropower Company LimitedNepal Ekarat Engineering Co. Pvt. LtdHimal Power LtdButwal Power Company LtdNepal Hydro & Electric LtdNepal Electricity AuthoritySN Power Norwegian University of Science and Technology( NTNU), NorwayDynavec AS, NorwayMunna &Acharya Constr Co Pvt. LtdNepal Micro Hydropower Development AssociationHydro Consult Pvt. LtdSanima Mai Hydropower Pvt. LtdCentre for Energy Studies, IOE, TUSanima Hydro & Engineering Pvt. LtdSanima Hydropower Pvt. LtdPeople, Energy & Environment Development Association (PEEDA)HydroLabPvt Ltd

LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS FOR

TURBINE TESTING LAB

KATHMANDU

UNIVERSITY

Team Members of Turbine Testing Lab

Prof. Dr. Bhola Thapa

Dean, School of Engineering, KU

Dr. Hari Prasad Neopane

Associate Professor, School of Engineering, KU

Mr. Biraj Singh Thapa

Research Fellow, Turbine Testing Lab

Mr. Sudip Adhikari

Research Assistant, Turbine Testing Lab

Mr. Amod Panthee

Research Assistant, Turbine Testing Lab

Mr. Krishna Prasad Shrestha

PhD Fellow, Turbine Testing Lab

Ms. Supriya Koirala

Masters Student, Turbine Testing Lab

Mr. Shankar Poudel

Technician, Turbine Testing Lab

Growth in global demand of clean energy has

also increased hydropower development activi-

ties. In Nepal presently there is a huge gap be-

tween demand and supply of electricity. The

government has an ambitious plan to develop

38,000 MW in 25 years (from 2010).This re-

quires high quality, high performance and reli-

ability of locally produced turbines which will

be in demand by local project developers. A tur-

bine laboratory could prove invaluable in this

respect, particularly in symbiosis with research

and academia. With the establishment of tur-

bine laboratory in the country, the investment in

hydropower projects will be saved by reducing

uncertainties of turbine performance and compe-

tence in turbine design and manufacturing.

INTRODUCTION

Kathmandu University has

established Turbine Testing

Lab for the purpose of educa-

tion, research and develop-

ment in close cooperation with

indigenous industries. To meet

this formidable task, Kathmandu University has

entered into a technical cooperation with Nor-

wegian University of Science and Technology

(NTNU)/Waterpower Lab and with NORAD as

a major sponsor.

• Build competence and knowledge within the hy-

dropower sector of Nepal

– Teaching/learning facility

– Industrial courses

– Staff training for the industry

• Motivate research

– Development of efficient turbines able to withstand

sand erosion.

– Development of turbine and pump technology

– Maintenance of Turbines

Provide a meeting place for the industry and

university

– For research and student projects for the industry

– Collaborative research with national and interna-

tional universities and research institutions.

TTL has completed its construction phase. It has

lower and upper reservoirs to circulate water neces-

sary to run turbines. The topography of the labora-

tory location (at the main campus) provides 30 me-

ter natural static head. This is a unique feature of

such a test laboratory, as it provides natural flow

conditions to the tests. The lab has two centrifugal

pumps each of 250kW with variable frequency

drive (VFD) for each pump. Each pump can pro-

duce variable flow with maximum flow 0.25 m3/s

and variable head with maximum head of 75 m.

Also the pump can be connected in series and par-

allel combination producing a maximum head of

150 m and flow of 0.5m3/s respectively. TTL has

the capacity to perform prototype test upto 300 kW

turbine and perform model test for larger turbines

following IEC-60193. The laboratory will be

equipped with a state of the art control system with

electromagnetic flow meters, pressure transducers

and sensors. There is a provision to calibrate appro-

priate instruments against volume of water.

The lab will run in business model as per di-

rection of governing board with representative

from industry and other academic institute in

the country

12MW PELTON RUNNER

OF KHIMTI HPP

15KW CROSS FLOW

TURBINE

BACKGROUND

PURPOSE

LAB SET UP