HOMER Knowledge Base
Modeling mini hydro systems
How would you model Mini Hydro (range 1 to 5 MW)?
Use a turbine efficiency curve so the efficiency depends on the flow rate, rather than being constant. This is an easy enhancement, one we plan to do. The only reason we made the efficiency constant is to avoid complication in the interface, but we'll probably let the user select between simple and advanced mode, and in advanced mode the efficiency curve is appropriate.