Environmental and Social Impacts of Mini-hydropower Plants--A Case Study from Sri Lanka

This research study was conducted to review the environmental and social impact of mini hydropower plants （run-of-the-river type） by selecting Denawaka Ganga mini hydropower plant, which is located in Ratnapura district, Sri Lanka. Field visits and discussions among the authors, authorities and the residents were carried out. Then, the environmental and social impacts were scientifically analysed using regulation degree （RD） and environmental impact value （EIV） scores. It was found out that the Denawaka Ganga mini hydropower plant has induced some environmental concerns; however, significant positive social impact to the society. This is in addition to the green energy generation. Therefore, it can be concluded herein that the Denawaka Ganga mini hydropower is an asset to the country, Sri Lanka.

Quali-Quantitative Analysis of Brazilian Environmental Licensing of Hydropower Plants

The use of the extraordinary hydroelectric potential of the Amazon Basin originated an increase in the offer of renewable energy in Brazil, which, in its turn, leads to conflicts and a lack of consensus among different players owing to the potential negative impacts related to the construction and operation of large hydroelectric power plants in relatively well preserved areas. In this context, environmental licensing is one of the national environmental policy’s main instruments for making decisions regarding the use of the hydroelectric potential, especially the rivers of the Amazon Basin. Nevertheless, this significant instrument has its limitations and requires adjustments in order to better aid the decision making process regarding the use of water resources and land with the goal of increasing the offer of electric energy.

Load Frequency Control of Small Hydropower Plants Using One-Input Fuzzy PI Controller with Linear and Non-Linear Plant Model

This study presents an intelligent approach for load frequency control (LFC) of small hydropower plants (SHPs). The approach which is based on fuzzy logic (FL), takes into account the non-linearity of SHPs—something which is not possible using traditional controllers. Most intelligent methods use two- input fuzzy controllers, but because such controllers are expensive, there is economic interest in the relatively cheaper single-input controllers. A non- linear control model based on one-input fuzzy logic PI (FLPI) controller was developed and applied to control the non-linear SHP. Using MATLAB/Si- mulink SimScape, the SHP was simulated with linear and non-linear plant models. The performance of the FLPI controller was investigated and compared with that of the conventional PI/PID controller. Results show that the settling time for the FLPI controller is about 8 times shorter;while the overshoot is about 15 times smaller compared to the conventional PI/PID controller. Therefore, the FLPI controller performs better than the conventional PI/PID controller not only in meeting the LFC control objective but also in ensuring increased dynamic stability of SHPs.

Carbon Footprint in Waste Sector of Hydropower Plant: A Case Study of Nam Theun 2 Hydropower Plant

While hydropower is generally considered a clean energy source, it is important to recognize that their waste can still contribute to greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). The purpose of this study is to assess the carbon footprint associated with the waste sector throughout the operational phase of the Nam Theun 2 hydropower plant in Laos. Understanding the environmental impact of the waste sector is crucial for ensuring the plant’s sustainability. This study utilizes the theoretical estimation method recommended in the 2019 Refinement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, as well as the Requirements for Specification with guidance at the organization level for quantification and reporting of GHG emissions and removals. We emphasize the significance of implementing sustainable waste management practices to reduce GHG emissions and minimize the environmental impact of hydropower operations. By conducting a comprehensive analysis, this paper also provides insights into the environmental implications of waste management in hydropower plants and identifies strategies to mitigate the carbon footprint in the waste sector. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the environmental sustainability of hydropower plants and provide valuable guidance for policymakers, energy producers, and environmental practitioners involved in hydropower plant design and operation.

Characterization of the Constructions Materials Used in the Hydroelectric Power Plants in the Sedano＇s Valley, Burgos （Spain）

Small hydropower plants for electricity generation were first built in Spain in the early 1880s. The Spanish peninsula is characterized by its rugged landscape, fast flowing rivers and steep gradients. A clear example of this is the remarkable area of the upper Ebro river basin where powerful water flows are found that are ideal for electricity generation. Between 1900 and 1930, the river Ebro was a major source of energy for industrial areas such as Alava, Vizcaya, Vitoria, Miranda de Ebro, Burgos and La Rioja. Between 1951-1965, the use of these small hydropower plants declined due to the construction of alternatives by industrialists in the Basque Country, which in most cases led to their deterioration. They were rescued in the late twentieth century, thanks to private sector initiatives which funded their rehabilitation. This study examines two small-scale hydraulic power plants in the province of Burgos at Medina de Pomar and at Quintanilla Escalada; both buildings were used for generating electricity and had living quarters for the workers and now represent historic architectonic and industrial heritage. The study documents their architectonic features and the restoration processes that have permitted one of them to remain in operation up until the present day.

Experimental study on dynamic pipe fracture in consideration of hydropower plant model

In the case of sudden valve closure, water hammer creates the most powerful pressure and damage to pipeline systems. The best way to protect the pipeline system is to eliminate water hammer. The main reasons for water hammer occurrence are valve closure, high initial velocity, and static pressure. However, it is difficult to eliminate water hammer. Water hammer tends to occur when the valve is being closed. In this study, the pipe fracture caused by static water pressure, gradually increasing pressure, and suddenly increasing pressure were compared experimentally in a breaking PVC test pipe. The quasi-static zone, the dynamic zone, and the transition zone are defined through the results of those experiments, with consideration of the fracture patterns of test pipes and impulses. The maximum pressure results were used to design the pipeline even though it is in the dynamic zone.

Implementing a model for identifying organizational complications for the purpose of increasing productivity in hydropower plant

The present economical conditions on today＇s world require specific point of view and policy making in business agencies. In this competitive world to achieve competence, competitive advantages in order to better governance, organizations have to increase their competitive powers through promotion and productivity. One of the fundamental approaches to elevate the productivity level is finding the complications and obstacles, and arise planning to remove them. In order to understand organizational complication, we have tried to take critical factors of success and continue improvement into consideration to demonstrate a model to find the main and radical problems and complications and recognize the recoverable areas in the business agencies. In order to verify and validate the performed research, he planned model has been accomplished in the Hydropower Plant Department, positive and acceptable results were obtained and organizations total factor productivity improvement was achieved which was appreciated by the organization.

Energy Efficiency Technologies for Hydroelectric Power Plants: A Case Study in Brazil

Hydroelectricity has great importance for the global macroeconomy. In Brazil, hydroelectricity has been highlighted as the main source of generation of the electric system both for its economic competitiveness and for the abundance of this energy resource. Based on a diagnosis methodology, this article presents a case study in a Brazilian hydroelectric plant in order to optimize the use of energy and propose improvements regarding the rationalization of its application. The systems associated with energy generation were evaluated and the results proved to be potentially advantageous with an estimated savings of 2910 MWh/year in the electricity consumption of the installation itself, with better use of the equipment and the possibility of increasing the power generated.

Current Situation and Prospect of Pumped-Storage Hydropower Plant in China

With the rapid development of national economy in China, pumped-storage power plant(PSPP) has developed very fast for its special stable and dynamic benefits in recent years.Because of the ever-increasing power load and its peak-to-valley ratio, customers have higherexpectation for the securityand quality ofpower supply. PSPPs are playing a role in load regulation,energy saving and reliable operation of power girds with its unique peak-shifting character.

A Study on Importance and Role of Irrigation and Hydropower Plant Operation in Integrated River Basin Management

In this study, 16 irrigation schemes (Baklan, Irgilli, Sutlac, Cal, Cürüksu, Nazilli, Saraykoy, Pamukkale, Sultanhisar, Akcay, Aydin, Topcam, Karpuzlu, Isikli, Gümüssu ve Soke) having 166,381 hectares, built by State Hydraulic Works (DSI), and operated by participatory irrigation managements, and 14 hydroelectric power plants (HPP) operated and built on dams, canals and rivers by the public and private sectors are examined in the Büyük Menderes basin which is an important basin in terms of the agriculture, energy and ecology projects. Integrated basin management practices and the importance and role of irrigation and hydropower plant operation in integrated basin management, how it should be, optimal use of available water resources for irrigation and hydroelectric power plant operation, irrigation relationship with canal hydropower plants, operated under integrated basin management of irrigation and hydropower plants, environment and the ecological effects have been studied, and integrated basin management with the existing basin management conditions in terms of hydropower plant and irrigation operation on the basis of data of 2015 have been compared, reached important conclusions, and made recommendations on the subject.

Mechanism of Primary Frequency Regulation for Battery Hybridization in Hydropower Plant

Battery hybridization in hydropower plants is a hydropower flexibility enhancement technology innovation that can potentially expand hydropower’s contributions to the grid,but its fundamental characteristics and influencing mechanisms are still unclear.In this paper,primary frequency regulation(PFR)performance and the mechanism of this new technology are studied.A battery hybridized hydropower plant(BH-HPP)model,based on a field-measured-data-based hydropower plant(HPP)model and a verified battery simplified model,is established.Analysis of system stability and dynamics is undertaken for three different battery control strategies by root locus and participation factor methods.Compared to conventional HPPs,analysis results theoretically reveal BH-HPP can not only accelerate system regulation rapidity but also effectively enlarge HPP stability region during PFR process.Time domain simulation verifies the results and further shows synthetic control has better performance among introduced strategies.Besides,initial design ranges of control parameters considering battery capacity and a renewable energy source scenario case are also discussed.This work could provide theoretical support for flexibility enhancement solutions for hydropower systems.

Predictive analysis of stress regime and possible squeezing deformation for super-long water conveyance tunnels in Pakistan

The prediction of the stress field of deep-buried tunnels is a fundamental problem for scientists and engineers. In this study, the authors put forward a systematic solution for this problem. Databases from the World Stress Map and the Crustal Stress of China, and previous research findings can offer prediction of stress orientations in an engineering area. At the same time, the Andersonian theory can be used to analyze the possible stress orientation of a region. With limited in-situ stress measurements, the Hock-Brown Criterion can be used to estimate the strength of rock mass in an area of interest by utilizing the geotechnical investigation data, and the modified Sheorey＇s model can subsequently be employed to predict the areas＇ stress profile, without stress data, by taking the existing in-situ stress measurements as input parameters. In this paper, a case study was used to demonstrate the application of this systematic solution. The planned Kohala hydropower plant is located on the western edge of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Three hydro-fracturing stress measurement campaigns indicated that the stress state of the area is SH - Sh 〉 Sv or SH 〉Sv 〉 Sh. The measured orientation of Sn is NEE （N70.3°-89°E）, and the regional orientation of SH from WSM is NE, which implies that the stress orientation of shallow crust may be affected by landforms. The modified Sheorey model was utilized to predict the stress profile along the water sewage tunnel for the plant. Prediction results show that the maximum and minimum horizontal principal stres- ses of the points with the greatest burial depth were up to 56.70 and 40.14 MPa, respectively, and the stresses of areas with a burial depth of greater than 500 m were higher. Based on the predicted stress data, large deformations of the rock mass surrounding water conveyance tunnels were analyzed. Results showed that the large deformations will occur when the burial depth exceeds 300 m. When the burial depth is beyond 800 m, serious squeezing deformations will occur in the surrounding rock masses, thus requiring more attention in the design and construction. Based on the application efficiency in this case study, this prediction method proposed in this paper functions accurately.