A community service team from the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sumatera Utara (FT USU) developed a pico hydro power generation system on November 23, 2023. The initiative aimed to convert the energy of irrigation water flow into an alternative source of electricity while introducing the community to the practical application of renewable energy technologies.
The project team consisted of Prof. Ir. Yulianta Siregar, S.T., M.T., Ph.D.Eng., IPM, Dr. Ir. Naemah Mubarakah, S.T., M.T., and Muhammad Safril, S.T., M.T. The program combined technological implementation with educational activities that introduced participants to the operating principles of small-scale hydropower generation.
The pico hydro system was developed through a series of design, construction, and testing stages using a cross-flow turbine specifically adapted to the characteristics of the local irrigation channel. The team evaluated different turbine configurations and guide vane openings to determine the most effective operating conditions.
Testing results showed that a configuration with an 18-blade turbine and a 50 percent guide vane opening delivered the best performance, producing approximately 12.13 volts of electrical output and 13.1 watts of power. These findings demonstrate that the local irrigation system is capable of generating small-scale electricity and has the potential to serve as a practical educational model for renewable energy in rural communities.
The initiative primarily supports Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7: Affordable and Clean Energy by demonstrating the use of locally available hydropower as a renewable energy source. It also contributes to SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities through the development of appropriate technology that has the potential to strengthen rural energy resilience.
The Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sumatera Utara, remains committed to advancing innovation and community service initiatives based on renewable energy technologies. By developing engineering solutions tailored to local conditions, FT USU continues to provide practical and sustainable innovations that benefit communities and contribute to sustainable development.