Micro Hydropower Systems for Developing Countries
About the project or challenge area
Micro Hydropower turbines offer an attractive renewable energy power source for remote communities with access to fast flowing streams/rivers, particularly true in the developing world where there is unlikely to be access to a conventional electrical grid supply. Researchers at Bristol are currently working with collaborators in Nepal to develop micro hydropower turbines that can be locally manufactured, then installed and maintained as cheaply and easily as possible over long lifetimes. This project will support the ongoing work in Nepal by addressing both the engineering and socio-economic challenges in promoting the widespread manufacture and deployment of turbines with maximum benefits to the local population. (Although this is intended to be an interdisciplinary project, spanning both engineering and the social sciences, the exact focus of the project can be tailored to suit the student's background.)
Why choose this project?
The research will allow you to work with a charity in Nepal on a live project, where there is strong potential to see your research findings implemented.
About you
This project would suit a candidate with strong interests in engineering design, hydropower and international development.
How to apply
All students can apply using the button below, following the Admissions Statement (PDF, 188kB). Please note that this project requires a research statement - for further guidance, please see Section B of the Research Statement template (Office document, 74kB).
This project is not funded, for further details please use this link.
Before applying, we recommend getting in touch with the project's supervisors. If you are interested in this project and would like to learn more about the research you will be undertaking, please use the contact details on this page.
Supervisor
Your supervisor for this project will be Sam Williamson, Lecturer in Electrical & Electronic Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering. You can contact him at +44 (0) 117 954 5177 or email Sam.Williamson@bristol.ac.uk.
Co-supervisor
Your supervisor for this project will be Paul Harper, Teaching Fellow in the Faculty of Engineering. You can contact him at +44 (0) 117 95 45159 or email Paul.Harper@bristol.ac.uk.
Co-supervisor
Your co-supervisor for this project will be Colin Nolden, Vice Chancellor's Fellow in the Law School. You can email him at colin.nolden@bristol.ac.uk.
Find out more about your prospective research community
The Low Carbon Energy theme is a vibrant community of researchers who integrate expertise across multiple disciplines to develop sustainable energy policy and technologies which are crucial to providing a safe, reliable and low-cost energy supply for a growing global population. We innovate in every part of the energy system, from generation and storage, to regulation and end-user demand Find out more about the Low Carbon Energy theme.