Identifying potential sites for hydropower plant development in Busu catchment: Papua New Guinea

Abstract

Identification of potential sites and then switching to hydro power saves the earth from the menace of emissions from fossil fuel, triggering climate change the world is currently agog with. Quantitative knowledge of the topographical setting along with the stream network within a river catchment is the key to identification of potential sites for hydropower plant development. For the present study, GIS and remote sensing technology were adopted for identifying potential sites for hydropower plant development in the Busu river catchment area. The river discharge was calculated with the help of average rainfall, soil texture, and the land use land cover data. The head was calculated using the SRTM DEM data utilizing focal statistical analysis tool in ArcGIS 10.2. Potential power output was calculated with the density of water and gravitational pull, and then through necessary integration the levels of power output at each site were indicated. Busu river catchment was found to be the most potential site for producing power up to 24 MegaWatt which was the maximum that was identified during evaluation and calculation. This method is suitable for initial screening only. Further in-depth feasibility study is needed to develop hydropower plant sites.