The Open University of Sri Lanka

Faculty of Engineering Technology

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Study Programme Master of Energy Management (MEM)

Name of the Examination Continuous Assessment Test (CAT)
Course Code and Title DMX9405 Renewable Energy Technology (RET)
Academic Year 2020
Date 28th March 2020 (Saturday)
Time 10.00 hours – 12.00 hours (IST)
Duration 02 hours

General Instructions
1. Read all instructions carefully before answering the questions.
2. This question paper consists of Five (5) questions. Answer all questions.
3. All questions carry equal marks
4. Answer for each question should commence from a new page.
5. Relevant charts/ codes are provided.
6. This is a Closed Book Test (CBT).
7. Answers should be in clear hand writing.
8. Do not use Red color pen.

QUESTION 01

What are the advantages/disadvantages of hydro power projects in term of

technical/economical/social and environmental?

(Limit answer to maximum 500 words)

QUESTION 02

What are the advantages/disadvantages of solar power projects in term of

technical/economical/social and environmental?

(Limit answer to maximum 500 words)

QUESTION 03

Following paragraph is an extract from Sri Lanka Energy Policy which was published on
08th August 2019.

“Sri Lanka has achieved several goals set in the National Energy Policy and Strategies (2008) in
complete electrification and renewable energy development. The main objective of the National
Energy Policy and Strategies declared here is to ensure convenient and affordable energy services
are available for equitable development of Sri Lanka using clean, safe, sustainable, reliable and
economically feasible energy supply. This Policy is formulated in alignment with the future goals of
Sri Lanka, current global trends in energy and the Goal 7 of the Sustainable Development Goals of
the United Nations. This policy will impact the vast realm of social, economic and environmental

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spheres and pave the way to realize the vision of Sri Lanka in achieving carbon neutrality and
complete transition of all the energy value chains by 2050”

Discuss about your strategies to meet carbon neutral energy system in Sri Lanka by 2050.
Indicate what are the (SWOT) Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Treats of achieving it.

(Limit answer to maximum 500 words)

QUESTION 04

“Agra Oya” originates from Horton Plains. A private developer is planning to develop a run
of the river mini hydro power plant using water resources of “Agra Oya”.

Net head of the project is 50 m, design flow of the project has been selected as 2 m3/s and the
flow duration data are as follows. The developer is planning to go for one turbine unit.

Time
5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
(%)
Q
4.52 3.15 2.60 2.18 1.70 1.16 0.94 0.79 0.74 0.68 0.64
(m3/s)

a.) What is the suitable turbine type (use turbine selection chart provided)?

Answer: Francis

b.) What is the estimated plant capacity?

P =𝜌gHQŋt

Answer : Power = 1000kg/m3 x 9.81m/s2 x 50m x 2m3/s x 92.14%

= 903.8 kW or 900 kW

c.) Estimate anticipate annual energy production, (Hint: Annual energy value is
proportional to area covered under the Flow Duration Curve, use table format given
for energy estimation)

Energy calculation table

Time (%) Q (m3/s) Net Flow (m3/s) Flow % Turbine efficiency (%) Turbine output (kW) Energy (kWh)
5% 4.52 2.00 100% 92.14% 904 395,952
10% 3.15 2.00 100% 92.14% 904 395,952
20% 2.60 2.00 100% 92.14% 904 791,904
30% 2.18 2.00 100% 92.14% 904 791,904
40% 1.70 1.70 85% 93.35% 778 681,528
50% 1.16 1.16 58% 90.44% 515 451,140
60% 0.94 0.94 47% 87.84% 405 354,780
70% 0.79 0.79 40% 84.00% 325 284,700
80% 0.74 0.74 37% 84.00% 305 267,180

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 90% 0.68 0.68 34% 80.82% 270 236,520
100% 0.64 0.64 32% 77.64% 244 213,744
Total energy 4,865,304

d.) What is the plant factor of the proposed power plant?

Plant factor = Actual energy generation/ Maximum possible generation

= 4,865,304 kWh / 900kW x 365 x 24h

= 62%

QUESTION 05 (Note: there was an error of Open circuit voltage calculation formula)

A module is formed by 34 solar cells in a series. The operating conditions are : G=700W/m2
and Ta=34oC. The specifications under standard conditions are Isc=3A; Voc=20.4V;
Pmax=45.9W, NOCT=43oC.

Calculate
a) Short Circuit Current – 3 x 0.7 A = 2.1 A

Isc G =(Isc)1kW/m2 x G
Isc 0.7 = 3A x 0.7 = 2.1 A

b) Solar cell temperature – 54.12 C

TC=Ta+((NOCT-20)/0.8) x G

TC = 34 + ((43-20)/0.8) x 0.7
TC = 54.12 C

c) Open-circuit voltage – 18.1V

(Voc)at TC = Voc-2.3 x Nc x (Tc-Ta)

(Nc – No of cells)

(Voc)at TC = 20.4* – 2.3 x 10-3 x 34 x (54.12 – 25*) = 18.1 V

*- Values are given in STC.

d) Maximum power – 28.5

Pmax=0.75 x Voc x Isc

Pmax = 0.75 x 18.1 x 2.1 = 28.5 W

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 ALL RIGHT RESERVED

Supporting materials for Question 4

Turbine selection chart
Source:
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/HYDRAULIC-TURBINE-SELECTION-CHART_fig1_302969536

Francis turbine efficiency values

Flow in % 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Efficiency 65.00 77.64 84.00 87.84 90.44 92.70 93.80 92.90 92.14

Energy calculation table

Time (%) Q (m3/s) Net Flow (m3/s) % Flow Turbine efficiency (%) Turbine output (kW) Energy (kWh)
5% 4.52 92.14% 903.89 16496.05
2.00 100%
10% 3.15 2.00
20% 2.60 2.00
30% 2.18 2.00
40% 1.70 1.70
50% 1.16 1.16
60% 0.94 0.94
70% 0.79 0.79
80% 0.74 0.74
90% 0.68 0.68
100% 0.64 0.64

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 Total energy
(% Flow= Net Flow/Design Flow), (Turbine efficiency- select from the table)

Supporting materials for Question 5

Short circuit current Isc G =(Isc)1kW/m2 x G
Solar cell temperature TC=Ta+((NOCT-20)/0.8) x G
Open-circuit voltage (Voc)at TC = Voc-2.3 x Nc x (Tc-Ta)/1000
(Nc – No of cells)
Maximum power Pmax=0.75 x Voc x Isc

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