Review of small hydropower technology

This paper gives a review of small hydropower technology. A Small hydropower (SHP) plant uses impulse or reaction turbines and is mainly 'run-off-river'. SHP technologies currently used in generating electricity for rural electrification in both developed and underdeveloped countries are helping to slow down climatic change, creating employment opportunities, and are having low maintenance costs (but high capital costs). (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.