Potential Hydroelectric Power Plant for a Remote Area Utilizing Subwatershed Lawe-Simpali

Abstract

The fulfilment of electricity needs in Aceh Province has not been evenly distributed so that the potential of available natural resources continues to be explored and destroyed to be utilized. One of the high available natural potentials in Aceh province is watershed and subwatershed. This study aims to study the potential use of Lawe-simpali subwatershed as a hydroelectric power plant to meet the electrical energy needs of remote communities around the Lawe-simpali Subwatershed, Aceh Province, Indonesia. The method used in this research is a literature study and field survey. Four types of methods for estimating rainfall frequency distribution were tested on climatological data obtained from around the Lawe-simpali subwatershed area. A Der Weduwen method is used to determine water discharge with a return period of up to 100 years. The results show that the Log Pearson Type III rainfall estimation method is more suitable for use in the Subwatershed Lawe-simpali area with a coefficient of inclination of 0.9. The estimated water discharge that can be generated from this Subwatershed for a biennial return period is 1571.85 m3/s. The discharge has the potential to be able to generate electricity by 26.2 kW for planning of 2 m head and 131.1 kW for planning head of 10 m. This shows that the Lawe-simpali subwatershed in Aceh Province has great potential to become micro and mini hydroelectric power so that it can meet the electrical energy needs of remote communities around it.