Assessing Potential of Dor River as Small Hydro Project for Lessening Energy Crisis and Enhancing Tarbela Reservoir Life in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

This study was conducted to design a small hydropower project at Dor River in Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The study area is part of the Hazara Basin and contains sedimentary rocks deposited in glaciofluvial, fluvial and marine environments. The suitable locations were chosen for the proposed hydropower project components and shown on geological map of the study area. Rock Mass Rating (RMR) studies were conducted to check the quality of rocks exposed at the selected sites. The rocks were classified as fair rocks with RMR ranging from 48 to 55, which shows that rocks are suitable for construction activities, e.g., tunneling, etc. The rocks of the area were also found suitable for their use as a construction material, which is an additional positive aspect of this study. For potential hydropower evaluation, the discharge of the Dor river was measured using the current meter method. Additionally, the sediment load of the river was determined using Whatman filter papers. The Dor River water discharge is variable, where the maximum water discharge was found in the months of July (6.79 m3 s−1) and August (6.71 m3 s−1). Hence, the construction of a small hydropower project on Dor River can be favorably undertaken to produce a plant with low (2.79 MW), average (5.37 MW) and high-power potential (13.16 MW). In suspended sediment load analysis, it was found highest in the months of July and August and lowest in December. Annually, the Dor River takes 7267 tons of sediment to Tarbela Reservoir, which is likely to adversely affect both the life and capacity of the country’s currently largest hydropower-producing reservoir located downstream. The construction of the hydropower project proposed in this study will effectively slow the deposition of sediment into Tarbela Reservoir, which in turn will enhance the life of the reservoir positively.

Geotechnical investigation and stabilization of soils through limestone powder at Abbottabad, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan: a cost effective and sustainable approach

“…The study area is in the red zone with high earthquake chances, according to the Pakistan's Building Codes. It is also one of the KPK's most densely populated areas, with rapidly increasing population (Shah et al, 2022b). Scientists have analyzed the seismicity and rocks of this area in detail.…”

“…The main reasons for the reduction of clay plasticity parameters with the limestone addition is its low water adoring minerals, including calcite, etc. The activity value of calcite is 0.33 (Moos, 1938;Shah et al, 2022b), which shows their reduced water absorption capacity. The increase in soil strength parameters (Compressive and Shear), CBR, consistency index, etc., can be attributed to the higher density of limestone than clay or the reaction between clay and limestone minerals or grain size variations between admixture and the clay soil.…”