Potential Sites for Mini Hydro Power Plant Development in West Sumatra: a GIS approach and Remote Sensing Data

Abstract

Micro hydro power plant (MHP) is a small-scale power plant that use hydropower as driving force such as a river or natural waterfall, by utilizing the elevation high (head) and the amount of water flow. Potential of MHP depend on the availability of discharge and head flow. This research present assessing hydro power generation potential and mapping using remote sensing data sites in West Sumatra province. Remote Sensing (RS) data satellite techniques have been used to find and estimate the feasible locations for hydropower potential plant installations. In RS data, Shuttle Radar Topography Mission Digital Elevation Model (SRTM DEM) data as a basis for calculating head, catchment and network path of the river. Available head is used to overlay with Shuttle Radar SRTM DEM. In the preprocessing, DEM data of an analogue site to generate the data of river stream to provide slope and map slope to combine with map of rivers stream. A river discharges data calculated based on discharge measurement using AWLR (Automatic Water Level Recorder). The potential power generation calculated by multiplying head and discharge, assuming gravity of 9.8 m/s2 and total efficiency of 60%. The micro hydro power potential is calculated only for head minimum 10m and 80% discharge runoff (Q80) used to annually in one year. The result showed that for early identification was 11 potential locations spreads in West Sumatra. A totally of MHP was provide about 634.74 MW.