Projeto de um parque hidrocinético a jusante da usina hidrelétrica de Tucuruí para geração de energia elétrica

Abstract

After the construction of hydroelectric plants, the rivers stop flowing naturally and it begins to flow according to the production plants dynamics. Studies have shown that the increase of stream velocity downstream of the plants causes an increase in the hydrokinetic potential in the region is generated. This potential can be harnessed to generate electricity in a sustainable way, through the installation of hydrokinetic turbines. This work aims to develop the project of hydrokinetic turbines in order to exploit the hydrokinetic potential of the downstream region of the Tucuruí Hydroelectric Power Plant for the generation of electricity. To make the project, it was necessary to obtain information about the installation region, such as the water velocity range and river depth to determine the location of the turbines. Then, an algorithm was developed in MatLab ®. The algorithm is capable of providing the rotor geometry and a prediction of its performance with only the need of input data such as parameters of the flow, hydrodynamic profile and initial characteristics of the turbine, like the radius of the rotor. Through the code, which was validated with information from a turbine in operation, the design of a rotor and the analysis of its performance for the flow velocities of the installation site were developed. The analysis was extended to five turbines of the same diameter, thus yielding the performance prediction of each turbine. The results were discussed and compared with the data of a project available on the literature of hydrokinetic energy. Also, an analysis of geometry variations and configuration of the rotor was carried out, in order to extend the applicability of the developed project. Finally, it was concluded that the development of hydrokinetic turbine technology is a good alternative to increase the production of renewable energy in Brazil.