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AGV Hydro Control

Arnar BjörgvinssonGuðmundur ViktorssonViðar Hólm Jóhannsson

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The concept

• Already have a river and a generator• How does a hydro power plant work?• The problem is power regulation• Most small scale plants just dump extra power• We want to generate the needed amount

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How does the device work?

• Let the right amount of water in to the system depending on power needed

• Sense the current load on the generator• Control the water flow using a valve

• Intented as a prototype– Some refinements will be

made for a final version

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Extra features

• Manual control of valve• Ethernet connection for data logging

• Planned features for final version:– Pressure sensor for reservoir height– Tempature sensor for bearings– GSM module for

transmitting errors

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The device

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CAD video

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Circuit schematic

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Technical aspects

• Frequency measurement resolution varies depending on frequency– Nominal: 0,0025 Hz for 50 Hz signal– Ranges between 0,0016 Hz – 0,0036 Hz for signals

between 40 Hz – 60 Hz.• Accuracy of readout compared to lab equipment

within 0,5% of correct value• Repeatability: Measurements indicate a standard

deviation of less than 0,03 Hz– More dependant on SNR

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• Total material cost of prototype approx. 415 USD– Excluding any development work– Production unit might run closer to 1500 USD depending on

the size of linear actuator needed• Some know issues/improvements:

– Input signal might need to be conditioned– Software redesign would be helpful– A complete PID regulator could be configured for a more

robust response

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And now for the demonstration

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Thank you

Any questions?