Energy analysis of mini hydro schemes using plant performance data

Abstract

In this research project, characteristics of mini hydro power schemes which affect to the performance of the scheme were analyzed. The main objective of the project was to develop an analytical criterion to estimate the variations of the energy associated with small hydropower schemes which plays a major role in feasibility of the mini hydro scheme while fulfilling the other objectives of defining site specific efficiency factors associated with each mini hydro power scheme. For the present model of forecasting annual energy variations, the factors being used for computing anticipated energy losses in and during the sections of weir entrance, head race canal, forebay tank, penstock line, hydraulic turbines and electricity generator are not sitespecific and technology specific. Therefore an experimental approach was used in combination with statistical data analysis to develop a relationship between stream flows with scheme characteristics. Electrical power generation, rainfall of the nearby meteorological data measuring stations, plant maintenance records were analyzed and several catchment runoff calculation methods were studied. Four consecutive operational mini hydro schemes were selected and relationships among their operational characteristics were studied during the analysis. The results of the study show that performance data of adjacent operational power schemes can be used to predict energy potential of a downstream scheme which is situated within 5 km distance from the operational plant. By the proposed model energy potential of a selected mini hydro scheme can be estimated very accurately for the first five months of the year with a slight deviation varies in the range 2% to 11%. But this model cannot be recommended to estimate energy potentials of upstream to the considered operational scheme. This can be used as a simple hydrological resource as this model can forecast energy potentials without using current hydrological data as it associates only performance data of mini hydro power plants.