Hydroelectric Power Development Research Articles

Application of linear programming optimization to a Northern Ontario hydro power system

In this paper a linear programming technique is used as an aid in selecting storage reservoirs for a hydroelectric power development system at the feasibility stage of investigation, and for maximizing system guaranteed hydroelectric power by optimum regulation of discharge through power plants and from diversions for a selected time period. The linear programming technique is used as an allocation or screening model that provides information on system operation and response which would be useful in the preliminary design of hydroelectric power producing facilities and from which basic data and guidelines could be extracted for extending the investigation to the study of long-term system response by use of simulation models.

Forthcoming Progress in Hydroelectric Power Development

Forthcoming Progress in Hydroelectric Power Development

Some effects of river regulation on marginal seas

Effects of changes in fresh-water discharge into the marginal seas are discussed. Three examples of marginal seas are considered: the Gulf of St. Lawrence and effects of changes of the seasonal pattern of river discharge because of hydroelectric power development, the Black Sea and changes due to river diversion, and the Mediterranean and effects due to the complete cessation of the Nile flood water. Arguments point to the necessity of considering the total aquatic picture as changes in river discharges can profoundly affect great oceanic areas, with feedback.

Hydrological Studies for Churchill Falls

Hydrological data for the design of the Churchill Falls 5225-MW hydro-electric power development in Labrador, Canada comprised a 10-year record. Extensive statistical correlation studies using data from rivers up to 500 miles (800 km) distant were undertaken to expand this record to 43 years. Subsequently, stochastic generation of stream-flow, utilizing Beard's method, was adopted to expand the length of record and to provide multiple sets of flow data for use in energy and revenue studies. The generated data influenced the operational rules and reservoir capacity because it produced additional values for rare events (e.g. spill, water shortage) which are not well defined in a short record.

Electrical Features of the Churchill Falls Developments

This paper contains a brief outline of the principal elements of the 5225-MW Churchill Falls hydroelectric power development, together with a review of the significant electrical features. It describes the 500-MVA generating units, the arrangement of busses, transformers and 240-kV cables used to transmit energy from the underground powerhouse to the surface, the 735-kV switchyard, the auxiliary power system, protective relaying, control and annunciation schemes, and the data logging computer installation.

Stratigraphy and engineering geology of the lower Wanganui Valley, Koriniti to Parakino

Abstract Proposed hydro-electric power development on the Wanganui River, at Atene and alternative sites, required detailed geological investigations. The stratigraphy is revised for structurally simple, uniformly dipping Waipipian-Mangapanian (Upper Pliocene) to Nukumaruan (Lower Pleistocene) strata. Distinct lithologic units are not readily recognised because of lateral facies changes, and the lack of good marker beds makEs broad correlation difficult. Six new formations and one new member are proposed, including three of Superior Oil Co.’s recognised sandstones. They are Koriniti Sandstone, Otui Siltstone, Ahurangi Sandstone, Oxbow Siltstone, Atene Sandstone, Mangaweka Formation, and Cable Siltstone (member). Some engineering geology problems, arising from the investigations, are discussed.

Recent changes in Atlantic Salmon ( Salmo salar runs in the light of environmental changes in the Saint John River, New Brunswick, Canada

Deterioration of water quality as a result of the disposal of untreated organic and toxic wastes into the Saint John River Basin began when the River was first settled in 1604, and the amount of waste entering the River has increased substantially over the past two decades. Hydroelectric power developments constructed on the main stem of the River during this recent period have added to the problem by reducing the biological assimilative capacity of the River. The significance of these cultural influences for Atlantic Salmon ( Salmo salar) in the River has been to reduce the quality of its migration route to and from the sea, to eliminate some of its freshwater spawning and rearing areas, and to cause direct mortality of adult and juvenile Salmon. As a consequence, the total Salmon stock in the Saint John River has declined by approximately 40 per cent over the past two decades. The future prospects for conserving this valuable natural resource in the Saint John River are moderately bright in view of current activities in water pollution abatement, effective regulation of the Salmon fisheries, and large-scale artificial propagation.

A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF STORM SURGES IN HUDSON BAY

In view of resource exploration, hydro-electric power development and other activities, there is a clear need for a better understanding of the hydrodynamics of Hudson Bay. One particular area that has received little attention in the past is storm surges. It is likely that a storm surge prediction will be very useful in the future and towards this goal a two-dimensional homogenous model has been constructed. A hindcast of the storm of October 15, 1969 is presented here. The calculated surge for Churchill, Manitoba compares favourably with observed residues. The overall response of the basin and the types of oscillations that are produced are also described here. In addition, the differences in behavior between James Bay and Hudson Bay proper are demonstrated. Finally the results also indicate the steady circulation which the storm has produced.

Engineering-Geomorphology Characteristics and Regionalization of the Main River Valleys of Siberia in Connection with Hydroelectric Power Development

AbstractA geomorphic regionalization of the main river valleys of Siberia is proposed for purposes of selecting potential sites for hydroelectric power stations. The regionalization is based on geomorphic features that relate to the stability of dams and to construction conditions: valley morphology; composition and thickness of sediments; geological structure and properties of dam-foundation rocks; permafrost and slope processes; seismic activity; local availability of building materials. Six basic regions are distinguished: mountains, plains, the intermediate piedmont, trap plateau, stratified plateau, tableland. Potential dam sites are listed for each major region together with projects that have been completed or are in progress.

Dikes on permafrost foundations in northern Manitoba

The development of hydro-electric power within the areas of low relief of northern Canada often requires long dikes to impound a reservoir. Much of this region lies within a zone of discontinuous permafrost, and dike design must allow for foundations varying from soft alluvial materials which will settle during or shortly after construction, to frozen strata with a high ice content which will settle as the ice thaws due to heat loss from the reservoir.This paper describes the approach to design and construction of dikes for the Kettle Generating Station in northern Manitoba, and includes a description of the instrumentation installed in an attempt to correlate the relationship between the rate of thawing of the permafrost and the rate of drainage of free water from the foundation.

Environmental Impact from River Damming for Hydroelectric Power Generation and Means of Mitigation

Nepal is rich with inland water resources and has great potential for electricity power generation. Hydropower is one of the most sustainable national income sources to increase the nation’s GNP. Relatively few water resources are under utilization, however, although some lakes in Pokhara valley and the Kulekhani storage type hydropower reservoir are successful in supporting multipurpose usage, combining electric power generation, irrigation and aquaculture. The Kaligandaki hydropower system is run of river, thus not feasible for cage fisheries; instead, it produces fingerlings of indigenous riverine fish for release into the river. 
 The impoundments after damming the rivers adversely impact both fish biodiversity and local fishing communities. Ecosystem change destroys feeding as well as breeding grounds, with a resultant loss of fish species. Where the movement of migratory fish up and down river is affected by hydropower development, fish hatcheries near the dam sites or fish ladders for fish movement should be considered as mitigation options. Local user groups and other stakeholders should be involved in decision-making, to keep good relations concerning peoples’ livelihoods and the sustainability of aquatic resources. River systems should be thoroughly studied jointly with concerned agencies (e.g., electricity, irrigation and fisheries authorities; and local authorities) during formulation and application stages of hydroelectric power development projects. 
 
 Hydro Nepal: Journal of Water, Energy and Environment Vol. 1, No. 2(2008) pp. 22-25

Indians in Siberia

The Evenki, a Tungus group, occupy the Evenki National District in Krasnoyarsk Province. Little is known of their pre-contact history. About 25 thousand in number, they have a hunting, reindeer-breeding, and fur-farming economy. Considerably acculturated, they have a modern literature and art. The facilities of Tura, the District center, are stated. The area has mineral resources, coal and hydro-electric power development.

H. G. Van Der Tak, The Economic Choice between Hydroelectric and Thermal Power Developments. With a Note on Joint Costs in Multipurpose Projects. International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. World Bank Staff Occasional Papers, no 1. Baltimore, The Johns Hopkins Press, 1966, X 70 p., $ 1.00.

H. G. Van Der Tak, The Economic Choice between Hydroelectric and Thermal Power Developments. With a Note on Joint Costs in Multipurpose Projects. International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. World Bank Staff Occasional Papers, no 1. Baltimore, The Johns Hopkins Press, 1966, X 70 p., $ 1.00.

The Economic Choice between Hydroelectric and Thermal Power Development.

The purpose of this paper is to set down in a systematic way a logically correct method for handling the economic comparison of alternative power developments. The paper deals with the problem of comparing alternative developments of a power system to supply a projected demand for power, with specific load characteristics. It is essentially a comparison of a hydro with a thermal system. The analysis shows how different cost streams can be compared by discounting them to obtain their present values, and it indicates the critical nature of the discount rate used. It is noted that the discount rate which makes the present values of two alternative cost streams equal is a measure of the return on the additional investment in one system (hydro). This return results form the savings in operating costs for the life of the project over those in the alternative thermal system. The paper shows how to appraise the sensitivity of this return to changes in key data of costs and demand; and it illustrates a convenient way of assessing the impact of changes in individual cost items on the return by breaking down the usual discounted cash flow calculations by components and periods. In conclusion, the report finds that a more rapid expansion of the market will tend to favor a hydro over a thermal development but the actual effect of a given increase in the growth of demand can only be determined by working out the consequences in terms of changed pattern of investment.

Side Stream Intakes for Hydro Power in Scotland

The enlargement of natural catchments by the diversion of streams from adjacent catchments into them has been important in many Scottish hydro-electric power developments. Exclusion of waterborn solids to a degree that depends on the function of the aqueduct being fed has been a major consideration. Reduction of air entrainment has been an associated problem. When trash is prevented from entering an aqueduct, the intake inevitably becomes a trap requiring constant cleaning if it is to continue to function. A number of intake designs, as prepared by the authors' firm during the past decade, are described and particular attention is given to the development of a self-scouring intake with no moving parts. Manual and automatic methods of maintenance are also examined.

Comprehensive Planning in the Southeast

The U. S. Study Commission, Southeast River Basin, considered the needs and opportunities for each use of the resources studied in developing an optimum plan of development of the land and water resources in parts of Georgia, Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Purposes considered included: Flood control; water supply; navigation; reclamation; irrigation and drainage; hydroelectric power and industrial development; soil conservation; forestry; fish and wildlife; recreation; salinity and sediment control; and pollution abatement. Each purpose was given equal consideration. An economic model was developed that projected population, employment, and personal income to year 1975 and to year 2000, and estimated resource needs to match those projections—all for a universe consisting of the 88,000-sq mile study area that was related to the projected growth and resource needs of the entire United States. The objectives, criteria, assumptions, and methodology used in the study are summarized. A plan to develop the land and water resource by both federal and non-federal entities is outlined.

Salmon Conservation in Sweden

Hydroelectric power developments in Sweden are a menace to the populations of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. Conservation measures, started as early as in the 1860ˈs, now aim at the substituting of hatchery-reared 2-year-old smolt for the freshwater part of the life cycle of the salmon. The smolt plantings will soon reach 2 million annually, and the return now amounts to about 12 percent (100-125 pounds of salmon per 100 smolts), mainly taken as feeding fish in the sea. The artificial maintenance of the salmon populations is within reach.

Symposium on Welded Spiral Cases From the Manufacturer’s Viewpoint: A Five-Part Symposium

An important but unspectacular part of hydroelectric power developments is the steel spiral case that guides the water from the penstock into the hydraulic turbine. The increasing acceptance of welding and the use of high-strength steels in the construction of spiral cases have permitted and required the development of new construction methods. This report is a condensation of the five prepared statements by representatives of the U. S. and Canadian manufacturers presented at the 1957 Annual Meeting of The American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Rockfill Dams: The Bersimis Sloping Core Dams

The Canadian Shield area of the province of Quebec offers some of the world's most favourable sites for development of hydro-electric power. These hydroelectric projects usually involve the construction of large dams. In the past many of the major dams were constructed of concrete, but now, because of modern development in dam construction and also for economic reasons, greater consideration is being given to earth and rockfill dams. The recently completed Bersimis No. 1, previously known as the Bersimis - Lac Casse Development, involved the construction of two earthfill dams and two rockfill dams, which are among the first of their type to be built in this region. It is proposed to describe in this paper the site and the design, construction and performance of these two rockfill dams.

Ambuklao Underground Power Station

Design of power features of hydroelectric power development of National Power Corp of Philippines; outstanding feature of power station is horizontal shaft setting of generating units; power intake is in form of tower valve chamber; power chamber, power station access, surge chamber, tailrace tunnel, generators, transformers, administration building, engineering and construction detailed.