Enter head and design flow to select the turbine type (impulse / Francis / Kaplan), generator, step-up substation and get annual generation, LCOE and a complete BOM.
Hydro output is P = ρ·g·Q·H·η. The head decides the turbine type — impulse (Pelton) above 200 m, Francis from 30–200 m, Kaplan/propeller below 30 m. The calculator sizes the generator, the 0.4→10.5 kV (or 35 kV) step-up station, and estimates annual energy by the capacity-factor method.
1.6 MW Francis Hydro Station (10 kV grid)
Example 1 — 1.6 MW Francis Hydro Station (10 kV grid)
Small hydro station · Francis
1570 kW
H 80 m · Q 2.5 m³/s · η 80% · 2000 kW generator
Annual energy
6,875 MWh
LCOE
$16.7/MWh
Est. BOM (FOB)
POA
📦 Bill of Materials
Equipment
Model
Spec
Qty
Hydro turbine-generator set
1570 kW
Francis · H 80 m · Q 2.5 m³/s · η 80% · incl. governor + excitation · purchased equipment (外购件)
Pricing basis:Turbine-generator set priced per-kW from the hydro-turbine-sets reference (FOB Qingdao, complete unit incl. governor + excitation; draft, pending final review). Step-up transformer uses the box-type-substations catalogue (≤1600 kVA); larger and 35 kV switchgear are quoted per project (POA).
Intake & civil works:Penstock/forebay, intake gate, butterfly valve, tailrace and station auxiliary works are civil/mechanical scope quoted per project (POA) — they depend strongly on site head, geology and intake layout.
Capacity factor:Annual generation uses the capacity-factor method (default 50%, adjustable 20–70%). Actual hydro output depends on seasonal flow duration curves and must be verified with site hydrology.
Seasonal output:Indicative dry-season output ≈628 kW (40% design flow) and wet-season output ≈2000 kW (130% flow, capped by generator rating). Use the flow-duration curve for a firm design.
LCOE basis (illustrative):Full-cost LCOE annuitizes CAPEX over 30 years at 7% and adds 2%/yr OPEX. The turnkey factor 1.6 covers civil works (intake, penstock, powerhouse), installation and commissioning — actual costs vary widely by site.
Off-grid mode:Grid-connected mode sells all generation to the grid.
Operation & maintenance:Routine O&M: runner/casing inspection, governor calibration, bearing & seal maintenance, trashrack cleaning and transformer oil sampling. Service interval typically 2 000–4 000 running hours for a Francis unit.
Design review:This is a preliminary sizing. A licensed hydro engineer must verify the turbine selection, penstock head-loss, cavitation margins and generator protection before procurement.
How it was calculated
Core formulas
P = 9.81 × Q × H × η (kW). Annual energy = P × 8760 × capacity factor. LCOE = (CAPEX × CRF + OPEX) ÷ annual energy (full-cost, illustrative).
Head above 200 m suits an impulse (Pelton) turbine; 30–200 m a Francis turbine; below 30 m a Kaplan or fixed-blade propeller turbine. The calculator selects the type automatically from your head.
How is annual generation estimated?
By the capacity-factor method: rated output × 8760 hours × capacity factor (default 50%, adjustable 20–70%). Actual output depends on the seasonal flow-duration curve of the site.
Which equipment is priced in the BOM?
The turbine-generator set (per-kW reference), step-up transformer, ring main unit / HV switchgear and LV switchgear. Protection & secondary and, in off-grid mode, the diesel backup and battery, complete the list — larger transformers and 35 kV switchgear are quoted per project.
What is LCOE here?
Levelised cost of energy: annualised CAPEX (30 years at 7%) plus OPEX, divided by annual generation. It is illustrative — a turnkey factor 1.6 covers civil works (intake, penstock, powerhouse).
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Results are engineering estimates for reference. Final design must be confirmed by a licensed local engineer against site conditions and applicable codes. Prices are FOB Qingdao (EXW) and do not include freight, duty or installation.
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