Analisis Eksperimental Pengaruh Variasi Head Terhadap Efisiensi Pump As Turbine (Pat)

Abstract

The utilization of renewable energy is a crucial solution in addressing energy crises and climate change. One promising alternative technology is the use of pumps as turbines (PAT), which offers low-cost and easy-to-install solutions for micro-hydropower systems. This study aims to experimentally analyze the performance and efficiency of PAT by varying water head levels (10 m, 8 m, and 6 m) using centrifugal pumps of 4-inch and 8-inch diameters. The experiment was conducted at the Mechanical Performance Laboratory of Universitas Sumatera Utara using a system consisting of a feeder pump, generator, and lamp load. The testing procedure involved measuring voltage, current, rotational speed, and flow rate to calculate the output power and efficiency of the PAT system. The results show that the variation in head significantly affects the efficiency and power output, and there exists an optimal operating point known as the Best Efficiency Point (BEP) for specific combinations of pump size and head. This study contributes to the development of small-scale, environmentally friendly, economical hydropower technologies that are applicable for rural or remote areas.