An assessment of micro-hydropower potential at historic watermill, weir, and non-powered dam sites in selected EU countries

Punys, Petras; Kvaraciejus, Algis; Dumbrauskas, A.; Šilinis, Linas; Popa, Bogdan

doi:10.1016/j.renene.2018.10.086

Cited by 51 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…The small number of SHPs in Greece does not coincide with the established traditions of water power use in the country's history. The 2940 water mills operated in Greece in the past are found at moderate restorable conditions, meaning that they have technically or even economically feasible hydropower potential [33]. In a small intermittent stream river, Krathis River, in the Peloponnese, a small hydropower plant of 2.8 MW installed hydropower and of 10 GWh annual potential power (Tsivlos plant) operates, even though the river experiences flow 70% of the time.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Operating Small Hydropower Plants in Greece under Intermittent Flow Uncertainty: The Case of Tsiknias River (Lesvos)

Tzoraki

2020

Challenges

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In arid and semi-arid parts of the world, river exploitation is intensive, involving water storage for irrigation or hydropower generation. In Greece, 100 small hydropower plants (SHPs) take advantage of less than 10% of the hydropower potential of low flow streams (<2 m3/s), a very small amount in relation to the 70% of the European Union. The energy policy of complete decarbonization of the country by 2023 on a national scale opens the road for new investments in SHP projects, especially in intermittent-flow streams of the Greek islands. Simulated flows by the Modello Idrologico SemiDistribuito in continuo (MISDc model) are used to construct the annual flow duration curve (FDC) to study and assess the hydropower potential of an intermittent stream (Tsiknias river, Lesvos, Greece). For Tsiknias River, but also for six other intermittent-flow rivers of Crete island, the capacity factor (CF), which represents the mean annual power of the hydropower plant, should remain >75% to exploit the river’s potential. The FDC and CF are essential in designing SHP projects in intermittent-flow streams with long no-flow periods. The development of public participatory approaches and a closer cooperation among policy makers and stakeholders should work to promote hydropower exploitation and accelerate licensing procedures.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Operating Small Hydropower Plants in Greece under Intermittent Flow Uncertainty: The Case of Tsiknias River (Lesvos)

Tzoraki

2020

Challenges

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“…E P = P P t P (12) where P P is the hydropotential capacity, kW, E P is the potential generation, kWh, ∆H is the height of the HPP dam head, m, Q is the monthly discharge (m 3 s −1 ), and t P is the HPP working time, hours (in Lithuania, on average, 4000 h a −1 , according to [32]).…”

Section: Assessment Of Potential Hydropower Resourcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate Change Impact on Hydropower Resources in Gauged and Ungauged Lithuanian River Catchments

Jakimavičius

Adžgauskas

Šarauskienė

et al. 2020

Water

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Hydropower (potential and kinetic energy) is one of the most important renewable energy sources in the world. This energy is directly dependent on water resources and the hydrological cycle. Ongoing climate changes are likely to influence the availability/amount of this energy resource. The present study explores the relationship between climate changes and river runoff, projects future runoff in both gauged and ungauged river catchments, and then assesses how these alterations may affect the future hydropower resources in Lithuania. Runoff projections of the gauged rivers were evaluated applying Swedish Department of Climate hydrological model, and runoff of ungauged river catchments were estimated by created isoline maps of specific runoff. According to an ensemble of three climate models and two Representative Concentration Pathway scenarios, runoff and hydroelectric energy projections were evaluated for two future periods (2021–2040, 2081–2100). The results demonstrated a decrease in future river runoff. Especially significant changes are expected according to the most pessimistic RCP8.5 scenario at the end of the century. The projected changes are likely to bring a negative effect on hydropower production in the country. These findings could help understand what kind of benefits and challenges water resource managers may face in the future.

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“…Scientific research does not provide any explicit areas of application for this technology. Elbatran et al [30] stated that its use was possible from 1 m head, Zhou et al [10] considered 10 m as the upper limit, and Rohmer et al [9] gave the overall applicable head as 1-6.5 m.…”

Section: Problem Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of the Minimum Head on Low-Head Hydropower Plants Energy Production and Profitability

et al. 2020

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In Poland, existing barrages are characterized by relatively high flow and low head, which is challenging for the effective utilization of theoretical watercourse power. The paper presents the impact of the minimum head of the hydro sets on the annual electricity production of small hydropower plants at low-head locations for two types of water turbines: Archimedes and Kaplan turbines. A developed mathematical model was used to simulate energy yield from Archimedes and Kaplan turbines for a given value of the minimum technical head, depending on the number of installed hydro sets. For economic analysis purposes, the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) and net present value (NPV) indicators were calculated. The conducted research allowed for comparing Archimedes and Kaplan’s turbine operating conditions and how the minimum head parameter influences their electricity production and utilization time. As concluded in the results, the influence of minimum head in energy production is more distinct for the Archimedes screw technology than for the Kaplan turbine. The research shows that the decrease in energy production associated with the hydro unit’s minimum head parameter is from 0% to 30% for Kaplan, and it is 6% to 52% for Archimedes turbines.

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An assessment of micro-hydropower potential at historic watermill, weir, and non-powered dam sites in selected EU countries

Cited by 51 publications

References 11 publications

Operating Small Hydropower Plants in Greece under Intermittent Flow Uncertainty: The Case of Tsiknias River (Lesvos)

Operating Small Hydropower Plants in Greece under Intermittent Flow Uncertainty: The Case of Tsiknias River (Lesvos)

Climate Change Impact on Hydropower Resources in Gauged and Ungauged Lithuanian River Catchments

Impact of the Minimum Head on Low-Head Hydropower Plants Energy Production and Profitability

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