Accurate estimation model for small and micro hydropower plants costs in hybrid energy systems modelling

This paper proposes a new approach for the estimation of the electro-mechanical equipment cost, according to which the final cost is divided into three terms with a distinct dependence not only on power and net head, but also on design flow rate. The resulting cost estimation correlations for Pelton, Francis and Kaplan turbines were characterized by mean errors smaller than those of the best performing literature correlations.