Abstract:
The main objective of this research is to present effective efficiency improvements to the
hydropower plants in the Laxapana Complex. At present, electricity consumption in Sri
Lanka is being increased at a rate of about seven present. Hence, improving the efficiency in
an existing hydropower complex will lead to an increase in the electricity generation
capacity of the National Grid using the same waters of the existing schemes.
In this research, observed key areas are techno-economically analyzed with the view of
efficiency improvement. All the areas introduced are important when they are viewed as
total energy improvement projects. However, In order to implement a project, it should be
viable. Hence, in this report, certain areas are discussed, and only viable modifications are
presented as efficiency improvement projects.
In this study, efficiency improvement to the Old Laxapana power station through a new
generator design, capacity improvement to the Laxapana pond in order to minimize annual
water spilling, new generator installation to the Samanala Power Station and leakage analysis
of the New Laxapana tunnel have been proposed. For the analysis, past data and the findings
of certain researches have been used.
The study of the Old Laxapana Power Station was carried out focusing on the Old Laxapana
Stage-II generators. From the cost-benefit analysis, a simple payback period of four years
was observed. Next, from the cost-benefit analysis of the capacity improvement of the
Laxapana pond, a payback period of 14.3 years found, and it was accepted considering the
lifetime of the dam proposed. After that, a seven-year simple payback period was observed
by proposing a 13.6 MW-generator for the Samanala Power Station as capacity
improvement. Finally, the tunnel leakage analysis for the New Laxapana power station was
carried out, obtaining 6.5-year simple payback period, and, hence, it was recommended to
implement the repair during the rehabilitation.
