SHP Assessment for a Run-of-River (RoR) Scheme Using a Rectangular Mesh Sweeping Approach (MSA) Based on GIS

This work proposed a base method for automated assessment of Small Hydro-Power (SHP) potential for a run-of-river (RoR) scheme using geographic information systems (GIS). The hydro-power potential (HP) was represented through a comprehensive methodology consisting of a structured raster database. A calibrated and validated hydrological model (Soil and Water Assessment Tool—SWAT) was used to estimate monthly streamflow as the Mesh Sweeping Approach (MSA) driver. The methodology was applied for the upper part of the Huazuntlan River Watershed in Los Tuxtlas Mountains, Mexico. The MSA divided the study area into a rectangular mesh. Then, at every location within the mesh, SHP was obtained. The main components of the MSA as a RoR scheme were the intake, the powerhouse, and the surge tank. The surge tank was located at cells where the hydro-power was calculated and used as a reference to later locate the intake and powerhouse by maximizing the discharge and head. SHP calculation was performed by sweeping under different values of the penstock’s length, and the headrace’s length. The maximum permissible lengths for these two variables represented potential hydro-power generation locations. Results showed that the headrace’s length represented the major contribution for hydro-power potential estimation. Additionally, values of 2000 m and 1500 m for the penstock and the headrace were considered potential thresholds as there is no significant increment in hydro-power after increasing any of these values. The availability of hydro-power on a raster representation has advantages for further hydro-power data analysis and processing.

Evaluation of the Hydroelectric Potential of the TokounouWaterfall, Kankan Prefecture, Guinea

This study is a continuation of the work of evaluation and valuation of the hydro power potential of Small hydropower plants in Guinea. With a total hydroelectric potential estimated at 6000 MW, Guinea generally suffers from a lack of electrical energy, especially in rural areas where nearly 70% of the populations live and less than 15% of this population is connected to the grid. Electricity of the country, which has the negative consequence of the misuse of wood as a source of energy. Hence the need for this study, which aims to assess the hydroelectric potential of the Tokounou waterfall in Kankan prefecture. The main results obtained relate to : the turbine flow rate, the net head, the useful power, the dimensions of the loading basin, the characteristics of the penstock and the choice of turbine. Proposals for the use of the estimated hydroelectric potential have been made, which could improve the energy needs of the locality.

A SWOT ANALYSIS OF DEVELOPMENT IN NORTH EAST INDIA

North East India comprising eight North Indian States covering 8 percent of India's land surface and 3.1 percent of India's population is a centre stage of India's Act East Policy as this region is a gateway to South East Asia. This region has great potential to develop not just as a self sustaining economic unit but also critical for overall development of the country. North East India has vast natural resources. The region is endowed with rich hydro power potential, coal, petroleum, natural gas and other minerals, forest wealth, horticulture etc. As about 98 percent of the region is covered with international border it has great potential for trade and collaboration. Again the region has vast potential for all types of tourism. Inspite of all these, the region is relatively backward. This might be due to lack of proper developmental strategy and policy. To formulate proper roadmap and strategy for development it is very necessary to analyse the strength, weakness, opportunities, and threat (SWOT) of North East India. This paper makes an attempt for SWOT analysis of development in North East India which may be helpful in making proper policy initiatives and strategy for overall development of the region.

Hydropower Potential of Agricultural Dam in Bukit Merah

Malaysia, although having a good number of small to medium hydro power potential sites, has still not exploited all of them. The focus of this manuscript is a feasibility study of the technical viability of power generation from a medium hydropower potential site, the Bukit Merah Dam site, on the Terusan Besar irrigation canal in northern region of Malaysia. This study is carried out using flow data of 2016 from the main irrigation canal of Bukit Merah dam. The data was obtained from Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Perak. The power capacity, yearly energy output of the potential hydro site are studied in this work. Technical analysis of the power output capacity and yearly energy output of three (3) hydro-turbine types (Kaplan, Propeller, and Francis) operable at the same given head and design flow were studied. The study shows that there is a potential capacity of 2.2 MW and an annual energy generation capacity of 7028.47 MWh at a turbine peak efficiency of 92.8% at a design flow of 19.23 m3/s using Kaplan turbine.

Small Hydro Power Viability Assessment of Elemi River in Ekiti State of Nigeria

A stable, reliable and uninterrupted power supply is one of the basic requirement for economic, social and industrial growth of any nation. Electricity generation capacity in Nigeria is grossly insufficient for the growing demand and there is a need to incorporate small hydropower (SHP) schemes which can be installed in some of the available rivers and streams that are scattered around the country to complement the energy shortage and deficiency. This paper investigated the viability of Elemi river, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria for a small hydropower scheme as a possible source of off-grid electricity generation to solve the incessant power outages in the three major higher institutions within its catchment. The power demand of the three higher institutions was estimated using questionnaires. The hydrological data for the study area for 11 years spanning 2005 to 2015 were collected and analyzed to determine the flow duration curve (FDC). The mean average velocity of the stream was calculated as 1.21m/s, with average annual flow discharge of 45.9 m3/s, and an average minimal flow of 9.1 m3/s. The average mean estimated hydro power potential obtainable using a diversion scheme is 2.21MW. It was discovered that the yield capacity of Elemi river for power generation with a diversion scheme could not provide the power requirement for any of the 3 higher institutions within its course due to its relatively flat terrain with the maximum derivable head of 8 m. A recommendation for the construction of a dam for an impounded scheme with a minimum gross head of 20 m, which adequately serve the needs, of at least one of the Institutions is made.

Distribution of Th eoretical (Gross) Hydro Power Potential of the Transbaikal Kray Small Rivers

Hydro power potential of Transbaikal Kray small rivers has been considered as a part of the territory water resources that can be used for energy production. It has been shown that Transbaikal Kray territory is characterized by the well-developed river network, more than 98 % of it relate to the small river class. Use of the rivers’ hydro-power resources is hampered due to the absence of their hydro-power potential. This is the first topical article devoted to assessment of theoretical (gross) potential of the Transbaikal Kray small hydro-power industry. A map of runoff module distribution on the Transbaikal Kray territory and data on elevations obtained with Shuttle Radar Topography Mission digital relief model have been used in this study. The “linear accounting” method has been applied to the rivers theoretical hydro-power potential calculation, a map of the Transbaikal Kray small rivers hydro-power theoretical potential distribution has been plotted in accordance with the obtained results. River ranges located in the Stanovoy upland, the adjoining Northern part of the Transbaikalian middle mountains, and the Khentey-Daur upland possess the highest theoretical capacity. The lowest values are typical for South-East regions of the Kray.