Many hydropower plants are operated as peak generators or frequency controllers, because they can change their output quickly to follow the fluctuating power demand. When meeting peak load requirements, a power statio...Many hydropower plants are operated as peak generators or frequency controllers, because they can change their output quickly to follow the fluctuating power demand. When meeting peak load requirements, a power station is turned on at a particular time during the day, generates power at a constant load for a certain number of hours, and is then turned off or set to a different load for another time period, resulting in a high variability inflow discharges. Where reservoir hydro schemes are operated primarily to provide peak load services, there are particular environmental risks that should be considered in any environmental impact assessment. At a minimum these should focus on water quality, fluvial geomorphology, riparian vegetation, macro-invertebrate and fish communities underpinned by a sound hydrological analysis. Frequent temperature changes may occur downstream of a peaking power station; increased seepage-induced erosion of riverbanks due to frequent water level drawdowns; and impacts to macro-invertebrate and fish communities due to rapid and frequent in channel habitat conditions. With a sound understanding of the potential environmental issues, there are strategies that can be employed at the siting and design stage to minimize or mitigate these risks, including but not limited to minimum environmental flows, ramping rules, utilization of a re-regulation storage and localized treatment works.展开更多
文摘Many hydropower plants are operated as peak generators or frequency controllers, because they can change their output quickly to follow the fluctuating power demand. When meeting peak load requirements, a power station is turned on at a particular time during the day, generates power at a constant load for a certain number of hours, and is then turned off or set to a different load for another time period, resulting in a high variability inflow discharges. Where reservoir hydro schemes are operated primarily to provide peak load services, there are particular environmental risks that should be considered in any environmental impact assessment. At a minimum these should focus on water quality, fluvial geomorphology, riparian vegetation, macro-invertebrate and fish communities underpinned by a sound hydrological analysis. Frequent temperature changes may occur downstream of a peaking power station; increased seepage-induced erosion of riverbanks due to frequent water level drawdowns; and impacts to macro-invertebrate and fish communities due to rapid and frequent in channel habitat conditions. With a sound understanding of the potential environmental issues, there are strategies that can be employed at the siting and design stage to minimize or mitigate these risks, including but not limited to minimum environmental flows, ramping rules, utilization of a re-regulation storage and localized treatment works.
