Resource assessment and feasibility study for the generation of hydrokinetic power in the tailwaters of selected hydropower stations in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper focuses on assessing the potential and feasibility of increasing the hydropower production of Nigeria’s three main hydropower stations by installing hydrokinetic turbines behind the existing dams. The hydrokinetic turbines will capture additional power from the energy remaining in water currents exiting draft-tube outlets and tailraces of the dams. A 2.54 m2 prototype hydrokinetic turbine system being developed by the National Centre for Hydropower Research and Development, Nigeria was used to theoretically estimate the increased power generation capability of the stations. Preliminary results showed that there are considerable potentials in the range of kilowatts and megawatts in each hydropower station to augment the existing power infrastructure and this can be harnessed to alleviate the existing power problems in the country. It may also be an additional way of generating clean energy to mitigate the effect of climate change.