Abstract
Due to the severity of impacts predicted due to climate change issues, Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions need to be considered as a factor even for hydropower because of the identified emission possibilities associated with large reservoirs. Thus, when planning a large hydropower project at a selected location, it is important to decide on the type of power plant based on an economic comparison including environmental considerations. The existing 150MW, Talawakele run of the river type hydropower plant and the previously planned reservoir type Caledonia hydropower plant were selected for comparison in this study. Net greenhouse gas emissions from both projects were estimated based on several estimating techniques and for the economic comparison, the levelized cost of electricity of both projects were calculated. Results show that the unit cost of electricity generation from run of the river type is substantially lower (around LKR 4 per kWh) than that of reservoir type. On the other hand, as Upper Kotmale is a peak-serving plant, a separate comparison was done considering the night peak operation. Results show a loss to the country (around LKR 2 billion per year) by energy reduction due to not implementing the reservoir type Caledonia hydropower plant. It is concluded that for future large hydropower developments in the world, a similar study should be carried out before deciding to downsize the reservoir. The study has further concluded that GHG emission considerations are not strong enough to discourage reservoir type new hydropower plant developments.
Highlights
When planning a large hydropower project at a selected location, it is important to decide whether to construct a reservoir type or Run of the River (ROR) type based on an economic comparison including environmental and other considerations
A study [1] has been conducted focusing on the Amazonian regions of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, where a large untapped hydropower potential is available, qualitatively comparing the reservoir type and ROR type based on the climate change impacts
According to the results shown in Case 1, even though the Talwakele ROR hydropower plant operates in its full capacity, there is an annual loss of Lankan Rupees (LKR) 2,123 million to the country by not having the Caledonia reservoir plant for peak serving
Summary
When planning a large hydropower project at a selected location, it is important to decide whether to construct a reservoir type or Run of the River (ROR) type based on an economic comparison including environmental and other considerations. There are environmental, social and economic impacts of hydropower projects which cannot be neglected, especially for large hydropower plants. Resettlement is a critical social impact caused by large hydropower projects. In addition to costs related to power plants, costs related to environmental, social and economic impacts of hydropower are considered for project comparison. (Prof.) J.R. Lucas, BSc Eng (Hons) (Cey), MSc (Manch), PhD (Manch), FIEE, CEng, FIE(SL), MCS(SL), Emeritus Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Moratuwa. As there are other countries with untapped potential of hydropower, this research outcomes will especially be important to them
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