Hydroelectric Scheme Research Articles

Probable Maximum Precipitation Comparison using Hershfield’s Statistical Method and Hydro-Meteorological Method for Sungai Perak Hydroelectric Scheme

One of the potential risks attributed to the occurrence of dam overtopping and dam wall failure due to the inadequacy of the spillway capacities is the loss of life and property damages in the downstream area. The current practices in most countries in minimizing these risks are by analyzing the extreme precipitation that leads to extreme flood. Extreme precipitation is best known as Probable Maximum Precipitation (PMP) and this estimation is useful in determining Probable Maximum Flood (PMF) in reviewing the spillway adequacy of dam structures. This paper presented PMP estimations using two approaches; physical method (Hydro-meteorological Method) and statistical approach (Hershfield’s Method) at the Sungai Perak Hydroelectric Scheme that consists of four cascading dams namely Temengor dam, Bersia dam, Kenering dam and Chenderoh dam. The highest PMP estimates from these two methods will be chosen as the rainfall input to establish PMF hydrographs. Estimations using Hydro-meteorological generalized map produces 40-50% higher estimates compared to Hersfield’s method with the PMP values of 550mm (1hours), 600mm (3hours), 800mm (6hours), 820mm (12hours), 1300mm (24hour) and 1600mm (72 hours). Accepting the Hydro-meteorological Method to determine PMF values for this hydroelectric scheme may be the best course since the estimations of the extreme precipitations using this method are the highest.

Sediment Management Strategies for Hydropower Reservoirs in Active Agricultural Area

Ringlet, Jor and Mahang reservoirs are part of Cameron Highlands – Batang Padang Hydroelectric Scheme. Conversion of forest to agricultural and urban area within the catchment has caused Ringlet Reservoir to suffer severe sedimentation problem and waste dumping. This has caused operational difficulties to the hydropower operator. Based on estimation, sediment inflow into Ringlet Reservoir has increased multiple folds from 25,000 m3/year in 1960s up to between 120,000 m3/year to 200,000 m3/year in 2010. This reduces the total storage capacity of Ringlet Reservoir to almost 50% of its original design value, and subsequently affects Jor and Mahang Reservoirs. Bertam Intake is often choked by the sediment built up within the area, thus limiting the running hours of the plant to generate electricity. Without sediment management strategies, the incoming sediment load into Ringlet Reservoir would increase tremendously and can cause the hydropower scheme to cease operation faster that its design life expectancy. Various mitigation strategies have been implemented such as dredging, construction of check dams and settling basins and flushing from the bottom outlet, resulting to an increase in storage. Despite these efforts which focus within the reservoir, the best solution is by control the sediment and waste at source, through the concept of an integrated catchment management. This requires concerted effort from the local authorities and public to ensure successful implementation. This paper outlines the methods, analyses and results of various mitigation strategies.

Deep Underground Engineering and The Use of Artificial Intelligence Techniques

The use of underground space for engineering systems has been increasing worldwide. Underground geoengineering is characterized by complex, uncertain geology and geomechanics that present challenges and require new tecniques to be dealt with. These challenges include large overburden which cause high stresses and temperatures, that require complicated engineering design. Additional environmental challenges exist in cases related to petroleum engineering, nuclear waste disposal, storage of products and energy, storage of CO2, geothermal energy and others. In large projects, typically a large amount of geotechnical data is generated. This data can hold valuable information that can be used to improve decision making and optimize design and construction processes. It is therefore necessary to define standard ways of collecting, organizing and representing the obtained data. There are automated Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and pattern recognition techniques that enable one to analyze this vast data - Data Mining (DM) techniques. After discussing the general challenges associated with deep underground engineering and the application of AI and DM techniques in underground construction, this paper presents case studies where innovative DM-based techniques were developed and applied by the authors. In particular, the paper demonstrates the application of DM to the design and construction of a large and deep underground hydroelectric scheme, an underground laboratory, and undergound mining specifically based on rockburst risk assessments.

Sustainability and Green Business in Latin America During Globalization Waves

This working paper examines the impact of modern business enterprise on the natural environment of Latin America during the globalization waves between the nineteenth century and the present day. It argues that although global capitalism created much wealth for the region, this was at the cost of massive ecological destruction in Latin America. During the first global economy considerable wealth was created from the exploitation of natural resources for the land-owning elite in Latin America, at the cost of large-scale ecological destruction. During the Great Reversal in the mid-twentieth century, public policies aimed at “catching up” resulted in the co-proliferation of hydro-electric schemes and resulting co-creation of ecological damage by firms and governments. In the new global economy since 1980, renewed economic growth and consumerism resulted in mountains of waste in increasingly polluted mega-cities. Biodiversity and the natural environment have been challenged across the subcontinent. However there were interesting positives as these ecological horrors also created opportunities for a surprising cohort of green businesses across sectors ranging from beauty and health to eco-tourism. In the twenty first century both business and governments in the region needed to address sustainability issues far more seriously, before a point of no return was reached.

COMMUNITY AWARENESS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF EARLY WARNING SYSTEM AT TENAGA NASIONAL BERHAD SULTAN ABU BAKAR HYDROELECTRIC SCHEME, LEMBAH BERTAM, CAMERON HIGHLAND

This article presents the community awareness on the implementation of Early Warning System (EWS) in a well-planned Integrated Community-Based Disaster Management (ICBDM) that covers all Tenaga Nasional Berhad’s (TNB) hydroelectric schemes. In Cameron Highland, Lembah Bertam and further downstream villages were reported to have the highest occurrence of floods especially during monsoon season, which makes the area vulnerable. This study incorporates and synergizes three major stakeholders; the community; local authority; and TNB; gearing towards minimizing loss of life and property damages in the event of a dam related disaster. The aim of this article is to assess the level of awareness and perceptions of the directly affected communities towards the implementation of EWS. Their heightened awareness would help to reduce their vulnerability in the event of future disaster. This study opted for a quantitative approach, which included a questionnaire survey. The findings revealed that the demographic characteristics influenced community awareness regarding the implementation of EWS. Most of the respondents accepted the EWS positively and understood the importance of EWS. Thus, the community members have the right to know and understand the hazard they should be expecting so they can plan for themselves and make informed choices to reduce their vulnerability.

COMMUNITY AWARENESS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF EARLY WARNING SYSTEM AT TENAGA NASIONAL BERHAD SULTAN ABU BAKAR HYDROELECTRIC SCHEME, LEMBAH BERTAM, CAMERON HIGHLAND

This article presents the community awareness on the implementation of Early Warning System (EWS) in a well-planned Integrated Community-Based Disaster Management (ICBDM) that covers all Tenaga Nasional Berhad’s (TNB) hydroelectric schemes. In Cameron Highland, Lembah Bertam and further downstream villages were reported to have the highest occurrence of floods especially during monsoon season, which makes the area vulnerable. This study incorporates and synergizes three major stakeholders; the community; local authority; and TNB; gearing towards minimizing loss of life and property damages in the event of a dam related disaster. The aim of this article is to assess the level of awareness and perceptions of the directly affected communities towards the implementation of EWS. Their heightened awareness would help to reduce their vulnerability in the event of future disaster. This study opted for a quantitative approach, which included a questionnaire survey. The findings revealed that the demographic characteristics influenced community awareness regarding the implementation of EWS. Most of the respondents accepted the EWS positively and understood the importance of EWS. Thus, the community members have the right to know and understand the hazard they should be expecting so they can plan for themselves and make informed choices to reduce their vulnerability.

Fine‐scale swimming movement and behaviour of female silver eels, Anguilla dieffenbachii, within a lake affected by hydro‐power generation

AbstractLake Manapouri (South Island, New Zealand) maintains the country’s largest hydroelectric scheme (700 MW). During their seaward migration, silver eel Anguilla dieffenbachii Gray in this lake are attracted to the power station intake, as well as the natural outlet. To understand the behaviour of such eels, 210 female eels were tagged with acoustic transmitters between 2005 and 2010. Swimming speeds of tagged eels averaged 2.0 km/hr, and swimming depths were deeper during daytime than at night. Silver eels from sites upstream of Lake Manapouri tended to spend more time exploring Lake Manapouri than locally caught eels, and a higher proportion entered the power station intake. Almost 20% of tagged eels did not leave the lake during the year they were tagged. Eels typically showed extensive and complex patterns of movement before emigrating, including multiple passes across the power station intake or the natural outlet.

New insights into the distribution and conservation status of the Golden-White Tassel-Ear Marmoset Mico chrysoleucos (Primates, Callitrichidae)

Among the 13 Mico species recognized by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, six are listed as “Data Deficient”. The geographic range of most of the Mico species has been estimated from only a few records. We report new localities and the geographic extension of Mico chrysoleucos. In addition, we confirmed the presence of the species in two distinct protected areas. We modeled the habitat suitability of M. chrysoleucos using the maximum entropy method and including new records obtained by the authors in the state of Amazonas, Brazil. From the total area of occurrence calculated for the species, 22.8% is covered by protected areas and indigenous lands. The annual mean deforestation rate estimated between 2000 and 2015 was 2.95%, and the total area deforested by 2015 was 3354 km2 or 8.6% of the total distribution limits of the species. The habitat lost between 2000 and 2015 was 3.2% (1131 km2) of the total potential distribution, while the habitat loss area legally protected was 31 km2, and the habitat loss in settlements was equal to 691 km2. Our results extend the geographic distribution of the species about 100 km farther south, with the Maracanã River being a possible geographic barrier for the species. The significantly low rate of habitat loss inside protected areas and indigenous land, when compared to unprotected areas, points out the importance of these areas to M. chrysoleucos conservation. The species is relatively wide-ranging, legally protected, and resilient to regional anthropic threats. However, the hydroelectric schemes and the improvement of the road system in southern Amazonia pose an imminent threat to the species.

Fulfilling spawning flow requirements for potamodromous cyprinids in a restored river segment

The Baixo Sabor hydroelectric scheme was recently constructed (began operating in 2015), blocking fish migration immediately at the river mouth. As a compensation measure for spawning habitat loss the Vilariça River which confluences with Sabor River, immediately downstream from the Baixo Sabor scheme, was chosen for rehabilitation site as an attempt to replace the spawning grounds lost in Sabor River for the potamodromous cyprinid Iberian barbel (Luciobarbus bocagei). Restoration activities included: placement of submerged weirs with fish ramps to increase the lotic/lentic sequence, bank reinforcement, boulder placement and river water profile increase. Water from the nearest reservoir was channeled underground to the lower Vilariça River in order to increase the water flow. The most appropriate volume of water was determined by means of a 1D model coupled with the CASiMiR to determine the weighted usable area for barbel spawners. Nine spawning grounds were identified. Fish migrations began in mid-April when water temperature increased (c. 16°C) and water flow decreased. Barbel tend to spawn in coarse substrate with shallow water and moderate current. Ontogenetic differences in habitat use were reported, with barbel juveniles preferring weaker currents and deeper zones when compared to spawners. Females also display different preferences, which are more apparent after spawning. Both life-stages exhibit the maximum habitat suitability at c. 1.5m3/s. The habitat model used in this study was able to accurately predict the occurrence of spawning grounds, representing, therefore, a valuable decision-making support tool for river managers.

Conflict Theory in Connection to Peace Agreement in Zanzibar

Conflict theory is one among the theory of Criminology developed by Durkheim, Emile and Karl Marx. When there are two sides of different opinions or views on the same matter that is where a contradiction occurs. When contradiction occurs creates a room for conflicts, quarrels, chaos or misunderstanding between the same person(s) as it creates classes or division of people. This is where conflict theory emerged as it refers to the misunderstanding between two or more person(s) who are in different positions of power and authority on a particular matter. Due to such misunderstanding between such persons, crime is unquestionably emerging. Peace agreements have been a suitable and appropriate method of settling disputes among the aggrieved parties worldwide. Many of the countries with conflicts whether within (internal conflicts) the country or with another country (external conflicts for instance Lake Lanoux case between Spain and France over the utilization of certain waters in the Pyrenees for a hydroelectric scheme) mostly preferred peace agreements as their first priority method of putting aside their differences. But in most cases this methodology of settling disputes or conflicts fails, and other methodology which are muscular methods such as using army forces and the likes of are deployed. Misunderstanding creates a possibility on the existence of conflict between those who are arguing against each other. When conflict emerge, there are number of ways on how to settle such dispute, and one among them is peaceful means of settling dispute through negotiation, arbitration, reconciliation, mediation and the likes of. The concerned issues is why this methodology of settling conflicts between countries or members or groups of people to a great extent fails, hence resulted to the deploy of another methods of settling disputes with the case study of Zanzibar-Tanzania Island. Zanzibar consists of the two main islands, Unguja and Pemba, and several smaller islets. The modern history of Zanzibar is generally considered to have started with the establishment of Omani rule in Zanzibar in 1832, though its history goes back to before the advent of the Christian era. Omani Arabs had pushed the Portuguese colonists in to Mozambique, and themselves colonised the East Africa coast and the islands. When the British occupied East Africa, Zanzibar became a British protectorate in 1890, which lasted until December 1963. Following independence, in April 1964, Zanzibar merged with Tanganyika (now Mainland Tanzania) to form the United Republic of Tanzania. The Articles of Union formally established two governments: the national government of the United Republic of Tanzania, responsible for all union matters and non-union matters on the mainland; and a government in Zanzibar with autonomy for all non-Union matters within its area of jurisdiction, with the exception of those matters exclusively the prerogative of the national government.

The study and conservation of adders in Scotland

This paper describes two projects that explored the study and conservation of European adders (Vipera berus) and other reptiles in Scotland. One involved the implementation of an environmental mitigation plan during the construction of a hydroelectric scheme through an area of high reptile densities. The other involved the monitoring of a population of adders in a highly managed environment on a golf course. In both cases the adder numbers persisted suggesting that the populations were not affected, and so they illustrate situations where this reptile species can co-exist with humans. Finally, more general observations about reptile habitat requirements and conservation in Scotland are inferred from these studies.

Why Peace Agreement Fails in Zanzibar?

Peace agreements have been a suitable and appropriate method of settling disputes among the aggrieved parties worldwide. Many of the countries with conflicts whether within (internal conflicts) the country or with another country (external conflicts for instance Lake Lanoux case between Spain and France over the utilization of certain waters in the Pyrenees for a hydroelectric scheme) mostly preferred peace agreements as their first priority method of putting aside their differences. But in most cases this methodology of settling disputes or conflicts fails, and other methodology which are muscular methods such as using army forces and the likes of are deployed. In this paper, the concerned issues is why this methodology of settling conflicts between countries or members or groups of people to a great extent fails, hence resulted to the deploy of another methods of settling disputes with the case study of Zanzibar-Tanzania Island.

Feasibility of Micro-Hydro Schemes in South Glamorgan, Wales

Run-of–the-River Hydro electricity generation, utilizes the natural flow of the river, extracting water from a high point, where it flows to a micro turbine generator, and the kinetic energy is captured. In general, the Run-of-the-River systems have an installed capacity of between <100kW to 5MW, with an efficiency of over 80%, and it remains one of the cheapest forms of renewable energy. Cardiff is the Capital City of Wales and is the tenth largest city in the UK with a population of around 357,000 people as of 2017. Wales currently generates 9% of electricity from renewables with the Welsh government strongly behind a low carbon economy. The city of Cardiff has set a goal to be a ‘One Planet City’ by 2050, which entails reducing the consumption of natural resources and reducing the carbon produced. The objective of Cardiff City is to reduce CO2 by 26% by 2020 by increasing the renewable energy generated around the city and considering the annual rainfall is abundant, with over between 200 - >500mm per year, there is much potential for small scale hydroelectric schemes. One current example of a renewable energy scheme in Cardiff is the Radyr Weir Hydro Scheme which uses water from the River Taff to generate electricity. The gross head of the system has been calculated as 3.5m with a mean flow of 21.37m3/s. The turbines chosen for such a project were two Archimedes screw turbines (3.5 meters in diameter and 10 meters in length) to generate a maximum of 394kW (2 x 200kW). The annual energy yield will be approximately 1.8 million kWh per year, with an annual CO2 saving of around 785 tonnes. Within the Cardiff area, ten more weirs have been identified and the flow velocities measured, and these are located on the River Taff, the Ely and the Rhymney River as well as within small streams such as Roath Brook or abandoned reservoirs such as Llanishen. Three ideal sites have been recognised primarily based on the height of the weir, the site location and the return on investment and these are Llandaff, Pontypridd and Roath weirs, where it is believed there would be minimal environmental impact and sufficient energy could be produced. Blackweir has been discounted even though it is one of the largest, due to the location being a site of scientific interest. Smaller weirs, such as Hawthorn and Upper Pontypridd, with <1.5m in weir height (head) obviously produce much less power, but because of the higher Feed-in-Tariff for pico hydro schemes, they prove to be a much more attractive investment opportunity in contrast to the higher costing bigger projects. However fluctuating Feed-in-Tariffs, which change every 3 months lead to investment uncertainty and it is believed hinders future project development.

Medieval Ireland and the Shannon Hydro-Electric Scheme: reconstructing the past in independent Ireland

This essay considers the position of Irish medieval buildings in the early years of the twentieth century. Focusing on the treatment of the oratory of St. Lua at Killaloe, it examines the ways in which the ruins of the medieval past were used to signify a range of political, religious and cultural ideas and attitudes. The rising water levels following the Shannon Scheme works (begun in 1925) meant that this stone oratory was moved from its original position on Friar’s Island to the grounds of St. Flannan’s Roman Catholic Church in 1929. The resulting paper trail reflects the complex processes of decision-making within a civil service in transition as the new Irish Free State calibrated its position with regard to the past and the treatment of medieval ruins throughout the countryside. The case study of St. Lua’s oratory is considered here in the context of the nineteenth-century tradition of scholarship on medieval buildings, the development of the idea of a national Irish architecture during this period, and the impact of this tradition on subsequent engagement with the buildings of the medieval past.

Alliance to penetrate mysteries of the Earth

Muography and geoneutrinos, as applied to the investigation of Earth science topics, have developed during nearly the same timeframe. The idea of muography was first proposed in 1955 by E.P. George, a physicist who attempted to measure the areal density of the rock overburden of a tunnel underneath the Snowy Mountain Hydro-Electric Scheme in Australia. Thirteen years later, L. Alvarez first performed mugraphy in order to map out the internal structure of the Chephren’s pyramid. With regard to geoneutrinos, George Gamow gave the first suggestion in a letter to F. Reines in 1953, two years prior to E.P. George’s experiment. Enthusiastic about the idea in this letter, thirteen years later G. Eder discussed the potential of the “remarkable abundance of radioactive elements within the Earth”. In the first decade of the 21st century, both the first muographic image of a volcano and the first measurement of geo-neutrinos respectively took place in 2006 and 2005. By encouraging the synergy of expertise in Earth science and particle physics, these new methods of studying previously invisible phenomenon within the Earth are continuing to improve as tools to solve Earth science challenges.

Small hydropower for renewable energy and water efficiency in Turkey

Because of social and economic development, the demand for energy and particularly for electricity is growing rapidly in Turkey. The main indigenous energy resources are hydro and lignite. Turkey has no big oil and gas reserves. Almost all oil natural gas (NG) and high quality coal are imported. It has a large potential for renewable energies. Hydroelectricity is well established as one of the principal energy-producing technologies around world, providing some 20 % of the world’s electricity. In the developing countries, the proportion rises to around 40-50%. The capacity of large hydroelectric schemes can be several times that of a conventional power station. They are highly efficient, reliable, and long lasting. Turkey has an abundant hydropower potential to be used for generation of electricity and must increase hydropower production in the near future. For these reasons, hydropower and especially small hydropower are emphasized as Turkey’s renewable energy sources. In this paper, to increase production of hydroelectric energy, some streams which are in the different basins in Turkey, have been analysed and some conclusions obtained from this study have been presented.

'Dust Bowls', TVAs and Snowy River Waters: John Heyer, The Valley is Ours and an Early Post-War 'Image of Australia'

Abstract This paper introduces the story of the 1940s debate between the Australian state of Victoria and the north-bordering state of New South Wales, over Australia's Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme. It describes the campaign imagery generated by the state of Victoria and the Murray Valley Development League (MVDL) to promote their vision for a Murray Valley TVA. The focus is on Australian documentary film-maker John Heyer and The Valley is Ours (1948). The Valley was created to support the MVDL's claims that a scheme to benefit their valley would be the best post-war scheme for both New South Wales and Victoria, and for the nation. This paper takes a transnational and cultural approach to investigating this story. This is because Heyer used nationalist US concepts to strengthen Australian national myths - the film's transnational content was set to a nationalist purpose. This paper describes the environmental imagery - not just images, but sound and text, used by Heyer and the MVDL campaign, to convey a transnational set of ideas. It retrieves a material record from the archives, of what these transnational environmental ideas actually looked and sounded like. And it sheds light on the cultural influences and political forces behind the Murray TVA campaign and the film's creation.

Civil engineering heritage: country profile – Ireland

This paper is a review of the civil engineering heritage of Ireland, one of the series of national profiles being published by Engineering History and Heritage. It is presented under four headings: ‘Ireland’s major civil engineering achievements’, ‘National and regional recognition of engineering heritage’, ‘Exemplar conservation of engineering structures’ and ‘Information sources for engineering heritage’. This profile discusses engineering structures of heritage importance, including the Grand Canal and the Royal Canal; the Suir and the Boyne railway viaducts; Dublin port and John Rennie’s harbour at Dún Laoghaire; the Dublin and Kingstown railway, the world’s first commuter line, which opened in 1834; the Ha’penny Bridge; the Fastnet lighthouse; and the Ardnacrusha hydroelectric scheme on the River Shannon. The profile lists organisations in Ireland active in helping conserve its engineering heritage, including the Department of Arts, Heritage, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the Heritage Council and the Office of Public Works, and concludes with a short list of websites and books giving further information about Irish civil engineering heritage.

Revised hazard assessment for Afulilo Dam, Samoa

Abstract Afulilo Dam was built as part of a hydroelectric scheme to augment the power supply for the island of Upolu, Samoa. The 23 m high concrete gravity dam sits on the crest of a waterfall that once drained an intermontane basin. Initially, concerns were expressed about a possible active fault through the dam site linked with a larger fault across the island. This assertion was refuted but not tested by the owners, and the dam came into operation as planned. This issue was again reviewed in 2009–10 as part of an environmental and power augmentation study. The opportunity was also taken to test the compliance of the dam with accepted international practices. Additional regional geological assessments, a review of the seismic data and further drilling at the dam site provided data to improve the geological model for the dam site. It is concluded and confirmed that there is no clear evidence for the existence of such faults. If they do exist, they are not active and therefore not significant for the safety of the dam.

The futures of pastoralism in the Horn of Africa: pathways of growth and change.

This paper reviews pastoralism in the Horn of Africa region with reference to the basic socio-economics of pastoralism, and the use of mobile livestock production to generate income and food for human consumption. The paper also examines long-term trends in pastoralist areas which, at first sight, appear to be contradictory. The first trend is the growth of a substantial domestic and export trade in livestock and meat across the region, driven largely by supplies from pastoralist areas and local and international demand. This trend indicates robust and responsive livestock production and marketing in pastoralist areas, despite recurrent drought, conflict and weak governance. In contrast, the second trend sees increasing levels of poverty and destitution in pastoralist areas, and continued high levels of human malnutrition. The co-existence of economic growth and increasing poverty in 'high-export' areas is explained by human population growth, drought, and the private control of pastures and water by wealthier producers. All of these factors combine to push poorer producers out of pastoralism. In areas with lower market orientation, other forms of declining land access are often evident, including the appropriation of land for mechanised farming, hydroelectric schemes, and bush encroachment. These changes, plus population growth and drought, also push people out of pastoralism. In all areas, pastoralism will continue to be the main economic activity but, at the same time, increasing numbers of people are seeking other livelihoods.