An Integrated GIS Approach to Assess the Mini Hydropower Potential

An analytical approach to assess the mini hydropower potential is proposed on a GIS platform. The mini hydropower potential is defined in terms of a synthetic index that measures the investment feasibility of a given hydropower plant. The investigation of the mini hydropower potential is performed at the catchment scale by integrating: catchment morphometric analysis; setting criteria for locating the weirs and powerhouses; hydrological modelling; engineering analysis; economic analysis and mapping. The integrated approach has been tested on the Arroscia catchment (Italy) where 27 weir sections have been examined thus resulting into 640 evaluated mini hydropower plant alternatives. Hydropower potential results indicate that in 14 over 27 sub-catchments it is possible to select at least a specific powerhouse location where the investment is affordable. The determination of MHP indexes in a simplified framework overcomes the typical problem due to the single prediction of hydropower potential for a specific plant configuration. The comprehensive MHP analysis allows to supports the energy management strategies while ensuring the sustainable water resource management at the catchment scale.

[1]  S. Basso,et al.  Streamflow variability and optimal capacity of run‐of‐river hydropower plants , 2012 .

[2]  Manish Kumar Goyal,et al.  Geospatial and hydrological modeling to assess hydropower potential zones and site location over rainfall dependent Inland catchment , 2015, Water Resources Management.

[3]  Tasneem Abbasi,et al.  Small hydro and the environmental implications of its extensive utilization , 2011 .

[4]  Walter Collischonn,et al.  Gis-based procedures for hydropower potential spotting , 2010 .

[5]  C. W. Thornthwaite.  An approach toward a rational classification of climate. , 1948 .

[6]  P. Perona,et al.  On quantifying ecologically sustainable flow releases in a diverted river reach , 2013 .

[7]  Luisa Liucci,et al.  A New Application of Flow Duration Curve (FDC) in Designing Run-of-River Power Plants , 2014, Water Resources Management.

[8]  Taweep Chaisomphob,et al.  Application of geographical information system to site selection of small run-of-river hydropower project by considering engineering/economic/environmental criteria and social impact , 2009 .

[9]  Elena Luchinskaya,et al.  The costs of small-scale hydro power production: Impact on the development of existing potential , 2010 .

[10]  B. Ogayar,et al.  Cost determination of the electro-mechanical equipment of a small hydro-power plant , 2009 .

[11]  Judith Franco,et al.  Potential renewable energy resources of the Lerma Valley, Salta, Argentina for its strategic territorial planning , 2009 .

[12]  Franci Steinman,et al.  Hydropower Suitability Analysis on a Large Scale Level: Inclusion of a Calibration Phase to Support Determination of Model Parameters , 2014, Water Resources Management.

[13]  J. P. Matos,et al.  Influence of Hydropower Development on Flow Regime in the Zambezi River Basin for Different Scenarios of Environmental Flows , 2015, Water Resources Management.

[14]  M. Schirmer,et al.  Water management strategies for run‐of‐river power plants: Profitability and hydrologic impact between the intake and the outflow , 2013 .

[15]  Richard M. Vogel,et al.  Flow‐Duration Curves. I: New Interpretation and Confidence Intervals , 1994 .