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IIT-Roorke opens new R&D lab to help small hydro power projects

Roorkee: In a major move aimed at giving a boost to growth of small hydropower industry to make compete in International market in hydroelectric power development, the the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee (IIT- Roorkee) has established an international class hydraulic turbine R&D laboratory at its Alternate Hydro Energy Center (AHEC). The lab has been established at a total cost of Rs 27 crore.
The laboratory, which was inaugurated by Union Minister of State (I/C) for Power, New and Renewable Energy RK Singh, would act as a design and validation facility and also conduct research on hydro turbines and other hydro mechanical equipment conforming to national and international standards.
Given that India has the potential to generate 20,000 MW of power from small hydropower projects alongside rivers and irrigation canals, the government is aiming to harness at least 50 per cent of the potential in the next 10 years. The present installed capacity is about 4,500 MW.
Hailing the achievement of IIT Roorkee, Power Minister Raj Kumar Singh said, "The turbine model testing facility would be a step for Make in India, being the first independent facility for turbine manufacturers and power producers."
As per the IIT Roorke official communiqué, the laboratory would undertake studies in fields such as multi-phase hydro dynamics, water power project and hydraulic machinery.
Present on the occasion, IIT Roorkee Director AK Chaturvedi said, "The laboratory will provide a platform for national and international academic and industrial collaboration with hydro power industry and research groups. The industry would have research-based solutions to industrial problems, prefabrication model testing, calibration and certification within the country in cost effective manner."
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