The Potential of Hydroelectric Power of Kawiwi River in Ratahan District, North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract

This research was aimed at calculating the hydro energy potential for generating electricity from Kawiwi river in Ratahan District, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. The required data were the estimation of daily electrical loads of the buildings around Kawiwi river and the monthly average flow velocity of the river in a year. Data of electrical loads were obtained from questionnaires given to the people who is living by the river. Meanwhile, the data of the monthly average flow velocity for June, July and August 2019 were directly measured, and for other months were estimated based on monthly average rainfall in South East Minahasa regency, where Ratahan district is located. The monthly average flow velocity of Sungai Kawiwi are as follows: Januari 1.35 m/s, February 2.45 m/s, March 2.12 m/s, April 2.69 m/s, May 1.10, June 0.76 m/s, July 0.70 m/s, August 0, 60 m/s, September 0, 16 m/s, October 0, 96 m/s, November 1, 17 m/s, and December 2.20 m/s. The data, then, were analyzed by using HOMER 2.68 Beta with an assumption that the electricity produced from Kawiwi river was generated by Darrieus Hydro Turbine, a kinetic turbine. By HOMER’s calculation, it was found that the electricity produced from Kawiwi river was 16.880 kWh/year.