Abstract
Hydropower is one of the major renewable energy resources worldwide faces challenges day after day. Climate change and anthropogenic pressures can have negative impacts on hydropower production. This paper considers reservoir-dams in the GR2M hydrological model in order to simulate the impacts of anthropogenic water withdrawals on the hydropower potential of the Oueme River basin (Benin) by 2040. The rain-flow model, GR2M of the National Institute for Research in Science and Technology for Environment and Agriculture (IRSTEA) is used to estimate the impacts of two scenarios of future water withdrawals on the hydropower potential of the Oueme River. Water withdrawals taken respectively at the Beterou, Save and Ketou sites, representing the Oueme River, using multifunction tanks and mixed tanks were carefully analyzed. The results obtained show that the mixed reservoir scenario is more tolerant to water withdrawals compared to the multi-function reservoir scenario regardless of the site considered. In addition, high sensitivity of the hydropower potential to annual water withdrawals was observed at Beterou, which was relatively lower at the Save and Ketou sites. Moreover, with the mixed reservoir scenario, Save and Ketou sites show stability in their production at water withdrawals rates lesser than 10% and 20% respectively. This study highlights the importance of the Oueme basin’s potential, the exploration of which would constitute a strong link in the development strategy of energy and hydro-agricultural sectors of Benin Republic.
Highlights
In his perpetual pursuit of well-being, mankind has destabilized the planet earth equilibrium by emitting excessive greenhouse gases into the atmosphere
This study aims to highlight the impacts of anthropogenic surface water withdrawals on the hydropower potential of the Ouémé basin by 2040
This may be due to the direct impact of climate change which has considerably reduced the hydrology of the Ouémé River to Bétérou [3; 10] and to the current volumes of water withdrawals that are huge in Northern Benin (221 million cubic meters in 2011)
Summary
In his perpetual pursuit of well-being, mankind has destabilized the planet earth equilibrium by emitting excessive greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. In tropical Africa, surface water resources dependent on verry irregular rainfall over time and space, are becoming increasingly limited due to climatic deterioration [2]. This region of Ouémé (Benin), is exposed to chronic food crises due to drought and floods. Many West African countries adopted integrated water resources management policy by setting up dams, to regulate the flow of watercourses but especially for the promotion of irrigated agriculture with a view to averting food crises.
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