MINIMIZING BATTERY CHARGING TIME FOR MINIHYDROELECTRIC GENERATOR VIA WATER PIPELINE

Mini hydroelectric systems, with outputs up to one megawatt, have emerged as a crucial solution for decentralized and rural energy needs, providing a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. These systems generate electricity from flowing water, offering reliable and eco-friendly power to off-grid areas. Recent advancements in mini hydropower technology focus on enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and incorporating innovative materials and energy storage solutions. The integration of current boosters into these systems has gained attention for its potential to improve energy output and charging efficiency, further increasing their feasibility for remote applications. This study explores the design and performance of a mini hydroelectric system integrated with a current booster. The efficiency of the system was evaluated by comparing configurations with and without the booster. Circuit designs were developed and tested using Multisim software, followed by hardware validation. The results reveal that the system with the current booster significantly enhances voltage output, achieving a 43.08% increase in voltage compared to a 10.93% increase in the system without the booster. Additionally, the system with the booster showed a 307.9% improvement in efficiency, demonstrating the boosters effectiveness in optimizing energy output. The research indicates that incorporating current boosters into mini hydroelectric systems can significantly improve their performance, making them more suitable for renewable energy applications, particularly in off-grid and remote areas. By optimizing energy conversion and storage, these systems can provide sustainable, reliable electricity, addressing the growing demand for decentralized energy solutions. Furthermore, the study investigates the design of a mini hydroelectric generator integrated with a water pipeline, aiming to minimize the charging time of a 12 V battery. The results show that while the system without a booster took over 3 hours to fully charge, the addition of the booster reduced the charging time to approximately 1 hour. This research highlights the potential of current boosters in enhancing the efficiency, scalability, and performance of renewable energy systems for real-world applications.