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<br /> <br />been the controlling factor in selecting the optimum <br />project configuration. <br /> <br />This traditional equipment selection method is not <br />well suited to small and low-head hydropower plants. <br />The equipment contribution to the total cost of a <br />small hydro project will typically range from 40 to 65 <br />percent, and could be much higher in situations where <br />new units can be fitted into an existing powerhouse. <br />Therefore, the cost of the civil work no longer <br />controls the configuration of the project. Instead, <br />equipment and civil cost consideration have relatively <br />equal influence. Thus, equipment cost is an area in <br />which substantial savings may be realized, a principal <br />factor in the evolution of standardized, pre-engineered <br />turbine generator units. <br /> <br />The consulting engineer involved with equipment <br />selection for a small or low-head hydro project has a <br />relatively large number of standardized, pre- <br />engineered types of units to consider. At the present <br />time, these options include: <br /> <br />Horizontal or inclined tube-type units, with <br />ei ther variable-pitch or fixed-blade runners. <br /> <br />Tube-type units with right-angle drive gear <br />boxes. <br /> <br />Horizontal bulb-type units. <br /> <br />Vertical and horizontal Francis units. <br /> <br />Cross-flow (Ossberger) units. <br />Rim-type (Straflow) units. <br /> <br />Various impulse-type units. <br /> <br />31 <br />