MODELLING AND SIMULATION OF A PID-BASED CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A MINI HYDROPOWER PLANT

Many communities lack access to reliable and affordable electricity. This leads to socio-economic limitations. The dependency on generators increases operational costs and environmental pollution. While solar and wind energy are viable alternatives, they often suffer from intermittency issues. Hydropower offers a steady and reliable energy source, but large-scale hydropower plants have significant environmental and financial constraints. On the other hand, mini hydro-electric power plants can be implemented in smaller rivers and streams with lower costs and fewer environmental concerns. Without an efficient control strategy, mini hydroelectric power plants often suffer from system instability due to fluctuations in water flow. This project aims to model and simulate of a mini-hydroelectric power plant using MATLAB/Simulink, with River Oshin in Kwara State, Nigeria, as the case study. The system comprises isothermal, mechanical, and electrical subsystems, integrated with a PID controller to regulate the turbine gate and maintain constant generator speed. The key parameters obtained from the site conditions at River Oshin, was a net head of 8 m, flow rate of 4.63 m3 /s, and a generator speed of 1500 rpm, targeting an output of approximately 363 kW. Simulation results demonstrated stable operation under varying load conditions with the PID controller effectively minimizing speed fluctuations and ensuring consistent power output. The findings indicate that a mini hydropower system on River Oshin can significantly supply local electricity supply, reduce dependence on the national grid, and promote renewable energy adoption in rural communities of Kwara State.