Fluid handling and civil structure of a minihydroelectric power plant project in an irrigation district in Colombia

Abstract This study presents the hydraulic and structural design of a mini-hydroelectric power plant implemented in the USOIGUA irrigation district, located in the municipalities of Campoalegre and Hobo (Huila, Colombia). The system was conceived to supply electricity to a household in a non-interconnected rural zone, leveraging an available flow rate between 0.87 and 1.24 m3/s and a net head of 18 m. These conditions were found suitable for a Michell-Banki turbine, which was built using low-cost, locally available manufacturing methods. To ensure proper turbine operation, the project required the design and construction of a civil infrastructure capable of conveying water from an upstream intake while maintaining pressure at the injector. A reinforced structural frame was also developed to support the turbine, transmission, and generator, designed to resist both static and dynamic loads and to provide environmental protection. The resulting system was dimensioned for a flow rate of 0.24 m3/s, aiming to generate approximately 20 kW of electrical power. The project demonstrates the integration of accessible construction practices with renewable energy technologies and offers a replicable model for rural electrification in similar geographic contexts.