Construction Of Hydropower Projects Research Articles

Evaluation of environmental impact assessment and mitigation strategies for Gulpur hydropower project, Kotli, Pakistan

AbstractEnvironmental Impact Assessment (EIA) became mandatory in Pakistan in 1983 with the passage of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Ordinance. The Sustainable Development Goals were incorporated into Pakistan's national development strategy, making it the first country in history to do so. The study is based on evaluating the mitigation strategies and environmental impact assessment at the Gulpur Hydropower Project (HPP), Kotli, AJK, which uses the Poonch River's water resources to generate power and has a design capacity of 100 MW using the EIA documentation of Gulpur HPP. In addition to making additional observations and reviewing the literature, the study looked at Mira Power Limited's EIA reports. The possible effects, as well as the Government's and MPL's mitigating actions, were examined by the authors. EIA procedures at the Gulpur HPP considered several laws, including the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency, AJK Wildlife Ordinance of 2013, the Land Acquisition Act of 1894, and Laws Regulating Flow Releases for Hydropower Projects. Projects using hydropower in delicate areas carry a high risk. Given the thorough analysis of the hazards in this instance, it is evident that the EIA had a significant impact on the project's design. The authors concluded that there are no negative environmental effects of the construction of hydropower projects in the concerned area and that all potential effects and compensation were handled legally and efficiently. The study suggested that all hydropower projects in Pakistan undertake environmental impact assessments.

Evaluation on the willingness of migrants and native farmers to transfer farmland in resettlement areas and their coupled coordination relationships: perspectives for environmental and social sustainability

The construction of water conservancy and hydropower projects often involves substantial land acquisition and resettlement. Land is a crucial means of production, playing a significant role in ensuring food security and protecting the ecological environment and social development. However, the advancement of urbanization and changes in production methods have led to a noticeable shift in the behavior of farmers on lands. Abandoned land and reclaimed wasteland in host resettlement areas lead to low land-use efficiency, environmental degradation, and frequent geological disasters. It is important to evaluate the willingness of migrants and native farmers to transfer farmland in the resettlement area and their coupled coordination relationships to realize effective land use. These were evaluated in this study by constructing an index system from personal and family characteristics, land resource endowment, characteristics of the external policy environment, and psycho–cognitive characteristics. The results showed that their coupling degree was 0.999, while their coupling degree of coordination was 0.68. The relative development degree was 1.01. It showed that a strong correlation existed between the willingness of migrants and native farmers, and they were in a basic coordination phase. They influenced each other and reached a basic balanced state. Farmland can be transferred between migrants and native farmers to improve their livelihood, resettle migrants, improve land-use efficiency, and reduce wasteland reclamation. This suggested the possibility of establishing a land transfer resettlement model based on the willingness of migrants and native farmers to achieve environmental and social sustainability in the resettlement area.

Structural stability analysis of proposed Budhi Gandaki dam and optimization

High-rise arch dams are frequently employed in the construction of large storage-type hydropower projects due to their cost-effectiveness. This study presents the comparison in stress and deformation behavior of concrete dam and concrete face rock-fill dam under worst combination of loads. For illustrative purpose, the proposed double curvature arch dam of Budhigandaki Hydroelectric Project is chosen with some modifications. This study proposed the 3-D finite element method (FEM) for stress and deformation analysis of dam considering material non-linearity between concrete and rock-fill material following Drucker-Prager yield criteria. The proposed methodology is implemented through ANSYS 2021. The hydrodynamic pressure of reservoir water is modeled as added mass using Westergaard approach. The compressive and tensile stress developed in both types of dams are investigated and analyzed for different load combinations. The force acting at base of dam and deformation at crest level is also investigated. The results for both types of dam are found to be comparable which suggests that the wasteful volume of concrete can be replaced by consolidated soil (rock-fill) to decrease the overall construction cost of project.

Alteration Mechanism of Variscan Granite in a Project Area at the Northern Foot of the Tianshan Mountains, China

Long-term erosion of granite—a type of hard rock—by hydrothermal fluids and tectonic movement can lead to a fragmentation of the internal structure of the original rock, transfer/replacement of mineral elements, and alteration of the rock’s basic properties. Such changes can be problematic for the construction of water conservancy, hydropower, and road projects. This study adopted the altered Variscan granite in a water diversion project area at the northern foot of the Tianshan Mountains (China) as the research object, and explored the alteration mechanism using thin section identification, X-ray diffraction, major element analysis, and electron probe and oxygen isotope tests. Results showed that the lithology of the granite in the study area is mainly biotite granodiorite and biotite monzonitic granite. Reductions in both the K+ content in plagioclase and the K+ and Ti4+ contents in chlorite indicate that the alteration types within the study area are mainly clayization of feldspar minerals and chloritization of biotite. Biotite granodiorite and biotite monzonitic granite both have low δ18O values. The δ18O value of biotite granodiorite decreases with increase in the Loss on Ignition. The low-δ18O-value granodiorite due to an alteration by hydrothermal fluids transformed from glacier meltwater, groundwater, atmospheric precipitation, and magmatic water; whereas the monzonitic granite might be formed by the reinvasion of low-δ18O-value granodiorite formed in the early stage, which is remelted, assimilated, and rebalanced. The research findings provide a reference for similar research on altered granite at the northern foot of the Tianshan Mountains, and also lay a foundation for subsequent research on its physical/mechanical properties and engineering characteristics.

Deformation Characteristics and Stability Prediction of Mala Landslide at Miaowei Hydropower Station under Hydrodynamic Action

In recent years, with the completion of the construction of large-scale hydropower projects in China, a series of engineering geological problems that occurred during the operation of the hydropower station have become an important issue affecting the normal operation of hydropower stations. Landslides on reservoir slopes triggered especially by water storage and other factors related to the construction of hydropower stations seriously affect the normal operation of the hydropower station and lead to other geological disasters. Research indicates that many reservoir-area landslides are triggered by hydrodynamic forces resulting from water level fluctuations in hydroelectric power stations. The Mala landslide of Miaowei Hydropower Station in the Lancang River Basin of China is taken as the engineering example to study the influence of hydrodynamic forces on the deformation characteristics and stability trends of the landslide. This paper explores the formation mechanism and influencing factors of the Mala landslide by conducting a field investigation of the Mala landslide and analyzing the monitoring data. Additionally, this paper also discusses the impacts of water storage, rainfall, and engineering construction on landslide induction. It is considered that the evolution of the Mala landslide from the initial stage of water storage to the current state mainly includes four stages: small-scale bank collapse stage, creep deformation stage, accelerated sliding stage, and uniform sliding stage. Moreover, the changes in the trend of landslide stability are analyzed using the two-dimensional finite element method. The research results provide a valuable reference for understanding the formation mechanism and predicting the deformation of reservoir landslides, which has considerable engineering practical significance.

Multi-source monitoring data helps revealing and quantifying the excavation-induced deterioration of rock mass

There exist many high-steep rock slopes in Southwest China due to the construction of large-scale hydropower projects. The study on excavation-induced damage of high rock slopes is vital for disaster prevention and mitigation. Due to the complexity of high-steep rock slopes, assessing the excavation-induced deterioration of rock mass is often challenging. This study used the space-borne Interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) and multipoint displacement meters to monitor the slope displacements before and after the excavation. Based on the multi-source monitoring data and the parameter estimation method, we evaluated the changes in rock mass properties due to slope excavation. We employed an improved particle swarm optimization algorithm with dynamic topology and adaptive parameter adjustment and a neural network-based surrogate model in the parameter estimation. The degradation of rock mass strength and stiffness coincides with the increased sensitivity of slope deformation to rainfall infiltration. An in-depth analysis indicates that the absence of vegetation protection and excavation-induced deterioration of rock masses are responsible for the noticeable slope deformation during the rainy season. As slope excavation profoundly influences slope stability and deformation, we should pay closer attention to the excavation way and support style. This study also demonstrates the benefits of using multi-source monitoring data in slope deformation analysis. The findings can aid in comprehending the deformation evolution and instability mechanisms of rock slopes excavated at the hydropower sites, thereby contributing to the prevention and mitigation of landslide disasters.

Impact Assessment of the Implementation Effect of the Post-Relocation Support Policies of Rural Reservoir Resettlers’ Livelihoods in Energy Transition

Energy transition is a major structural change in the whole social system, and the energy system must be changed globally to replace fossil fuels. Hydropower is one of the largest sources of renewable energy in the world. However, owing to the construction of hydropower projects, involuntary resettlers are suffering from being far away from their native land, losing the land cultivated for generations and the houses they live in, and losing the social relationship network based on geography and blood ties. Based on the system evaluation theory of reservoir resettlement and referring to relevant research findings, this paper constructs a comprehensive evaluation index framework for assessing the implementation effect of the Post-Relocation Support (PReS) policy. The research region is located in Zhijin County, Bijie City, Guizhou Province, China. Accordingly, a combined method of a structural equation model and a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model is used in this paper to analyze the implementation of the PReS policy. The results show that the total score of implementing effects of the PReS policy is 4.4, with dramatic significance. The subindex scores of the resettlers’ family income, living conditions, and production conditions; the local economy; and social stability are 4.3, 4.6, 4.4, 4.6, and 4.3, respectively, with dramatic significance. This paper has analyzed and summarized the successful practices of implementing the PReS policy for reservoir resettlers in three dimensions: poverty alleviation, beautiful home construction, and accelerating rural revitalization. Research shows that China’s rural reservoir resettlers’ PReS policy has been more effective in restoring the livelihoods of reservoir resettlers.

Experimental study of the behavioral response of fish to changes in hydrodynamic indicators in a near-natural environment

The large-scale construction of hydropower projects has significantly altered the ecohydrological conditions of fish habitats, and habitat, migration and other behavior of fish have been affected to varying degrees. Although the behavioral characteristics of fish under different hydrodynamic conditions have been investigated in a number of indoor experiments, it is still difficult to apply the results of hydrodynamic indicators directly to the practice of ecological restoration. In order to investigate the response relationship between fish behavior and hydrodynamic indicators under near-natural conditions, and to clarify the structural linkage of multiple influences between the external ecological environment, external behavior and internal changes of fish, the study relies on a large ecological test site in which the flow rate of the rivers can be changed. A low-frequency radio identification device was used in several monitoring sections in the test river to monitor the behavioral trajectories of fish in real time. The study shows that the method of fish behavior tracking based on passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags is feasible in small near-natural rivers. The test fish were more active under a low flow rate and changed their upstream trajectory in response to flow changes. When the flow velocity reached 1.6–1.8 m/s, the fish upstream gradually shifted from along the mainstream direction to along the shoreline. There was no significant difference in the activity of the test fish between day and night, with fish preferring to inhabit areas of low flow velocity and low turbulent kinetic energy. There was a range of high flow velocities (1.6–1.8 m/s) and high turbulent kinetic energy (0.1–0.15 m2/s2) that stimulated the swimming behavior of the fish. In addition, the physical indicators and physiological and biochemical indicators of fish were also included in the research scope. The test fish with high activity were slender after long-term swimming training, and their hemoglobin concentration and red blood cell number were higher than those of inactive fish and cultured fish. The research results will be used to optimize river restoration projects, promote the recovery of fish resources and population size, and reduce the negative impact of hydropower projects on the ecological environment.

The Deformation Law of a Soft-Rock Cavern by Step Excavation in a Pumped Storage Power Station

The surrounding rock stability of large underground caverns in a pumped storage power station is one of the most crucial problems in hydropower project design and construction. In the construction of hydropower projects in Southwest China, many underground soft-rock caverns in are excavated. Influenced by the high sidewall, high ground stress, large burial depth, and hydrodynamic pressure action, the deformation of the cavern is special, especially in terms of its soft-rock distribution. At present, most research of underground engineering on soft-rock stability focuses on small-scale tunnel excavations in homogeneous geological conditions, with limited studies on the large-scale excavation of deeply buried underground powerhouses in complex geological structures, featuring extensive soft-rock-layer exposure on the cavern wall. Therefore, it is particularly important to investigate the excavation method of and support measures for soft-rock caverns under complex geological conditions. Based on laboratory rock mechanics testing (petrographic analysis, uniaxial compressive strength tests, shear tests, and triaxial compression creep tests) and the distribution characteristics of the surrounding soft-rock layer of the proposed underground powerhouse, obtained from the survey, we discuss the excavation and support measurements. These include the influence of support measures on the deformation of the underground excavated cavern considering the inclination of rock layers, the impact of the excavation under supported conditions on the deformation of the underground cavern, and the correlation between the lining thickness and stress variation within the lining.

Research on Risk Evaluation of Hydropower Engineering EPC Project Based on Improved Fuzzy Evidence Reasoning Model

As clean renewable energy with strong advantages, hydropower plays an extremely important role in promoting green development and energy allocation patterns. Hydropower project construction is characterized by long duration, large scale, high cost, many participants, and complex construction conditions, and is closely related to the economy, society, and ecological environment, and its construction management mode and construction risk management have become the focus of extensive attention from all walks of life. In this paper, the risk evaluation index system of hydropower engineering EPC project is constructed, and the linear weighted combination method is introduced to determine the comprehensive weights based on the calculation of weights by sequential relationship method and entropy weight method, and the improved fuzzy normal distribution is introduced as the subordinate function distribution of fuzzy evaluation level based on DS evidence theory and fuzzy theory. The risk evaluation model of a hydropower engineering EPC project is also established. Meanwhile, the model was analyzed with hydropower project examples to verify the accuracy and practicality of the model, which can guide hydropower project stakeholders to manage hydropower project risks comprehensively, collaboratively, and efficiently, and provide decision support for hydropower project construction risk management.

Prediction of Reservoir Bank Collapse Based on the Limit Equilibrium Theory

The prediction of reservoir bank collapse width is a unique problem encountered in the construction of hydropower projects. Existing empirical graphic methods are based on the final state of bank collapse and can be used to predict only bank collapse width, and they thus do not adequately reflect the characteristics of the bank collapse process. To solve this problem, a prediction model for bank collapse width based on the limit equilibrium theory was established, and the key parameters and bank collapse process of the model were analyzed. The results reveal the necessity of selecting a reasonable underwater accumulation rate when predicting the bank collapse width using the limit equilibrium theory. At a constant ratio of water depth to bank slope height, the underwater accumulation rate increases with increasing bank slope height, with a linear relationship between them. In contrast, the bank slope angle has little impact on bank collapse width. Specifically, it mainly affects the width of the first bank collapse but has little effect on the width of subsequent bank collapses. With an increase in the bank slope angle, the bank collapse width fluctuates and rises. The prediction model of bank collapse width based on the limit equilibrium theory can better explain the time-dependent behavior of bank collapse. The research results are of high significance for the prediction of loess bank collapse.

TIME OVERRUN AND ITS IMPACT ON COST OF CONSTRUCTION OF SMALL HYDROPOWER PROJECTS IN NEPAL

Hydropower is one of the main sources of energy that can be produced as green energy highlights the timely complementation of construction projects. The study is focused to assess the causes of time overrun and its impact on the cost of construction of small hydropower projects in Nepal. The study is based on pragmatic philosophy using case study and survey along with document analysis using correlation and financial decision tools. The result of the study found that all sample projects were facing time overrun. Only 30 % of the cost was due to time increment. Along with time overrun direct cost was negatively related and the indirect cost was positively related, the direct cost was more significant than the indirect cost of the hydropower project resulting in the total cost being negatively related to time increment. Profitability was decreased due to time factors though it was positive till other factors were not impacting. The research concluded that social issues and land problems were the main cause of time overrun which was not properly addressed at the time of planning. Time overrun had become the norm rather than the exception on projects. Time was a partial factor of cost overrun causing it to reduce in its profitability. Besides time, another factor which was causing the cost overrun is to be identified and control for cost overrun. The developer should focus on reducing the direct cost using advance purchase agreement as of schedule and specific care should be taken for social demand. Methods of time allocation of contract should be estimated based on activities using theory of constraints for assuring timely completion and profitability of hydropower projects.

Delay factors in the construction of irrigation and hydropower projects in Vietnam

Delay factors in the construction of irrigation and hydropower projects in Vietnam

Vegetation Cover Variation in Dry Valleys of Southwest China: The Role of Precipitation

Many ecological restoration projects have been carried out in Southwest China; however, changes in vegetation cover in the dry valleys of Southwest China have rarely been reported. With their unique characteristics of high temperatures and low humidity, these dry valleys have considerably lower vegetation cover than their neighboring areas, making them the main sediment sources of rivers in Southwest China. Thus, it is imperative to understand changes in vegetation cover in China’s dry valleys, as well as the effects of changes in precipitation, since water deficit is the dominant cause of obstructed plant growth. In this study, changes in fractional vegetation cover (FVC) in dry valleys in the period 2000 to 2020 were analyzed based on MODIS-NDVI data, and the effects of precipitation were also analyzed. Our results indicated that: (1) the long-term mean annual FVC values in the dry–hot valleys (DHVs), dry–warm valleys (DWVs), and dry–temperate valleys (DTVs) were 0.426, 0.504, and 0.446, respectively; (2) significant decreasing trends in FVC were mainly found in DHVs and DWVs that were distributed in the southwestern part of the dry valley region (DVR), which was mainly due to the decrease in precipitation; and (3) significant increasing trends were reported in DTVs of the Min River and the Baishui River, which was probably due to the increase in precipitation. By analyzing the temporal trends of FVC in dry valleys, this study highlighted the effects of precipitation on the dynamics of FVC and demonstrated that anthropogenic activities such as urbanization, land use changes, and hydro-power project construction may also have considerable effects on FVC in dry valleys. Overall, this study not only provides insights that might inform further detailed studies on the dynamics and mechanisms of vegetation cover, but could also provide valuable guidance for ecological restoration management in the dry valley region.

Engineering Safety Evaluation of the High Rock Slope of a Hydropower Project: A Case Study of 684 m-High Slope Related to Lianghekou Hydropower Project at Yalong River

The stability of the slope is a very important topic in the construction of hydropower projects, especially the slope engineering in the dam area, as its stability will directly affect the safety of engineering. Taking the inlet slope of the flood discharge structure of Lianghekou Hydropower Project as the research object, based on the analysis and exploration of the geological condition of the slope and the field monitoring data, GA-LSSVM is used to establish the non-linear mapping relationship, and the BP neural network is used to establish the mechanical parameters back analysis of the slope at different water impoundment stages. A numerical simulation model is also established to set up different reservoir impoundments to study the stability and sensibility of the slope and provide guidance for slope operation. This case study shows that there is a hysteresis in the response of slope deformation to reservoir impoundment. At the same time, the mechanical parameters of the slope will be weakened by the seepage. In the process of water level changes, the stability of the slope decreases due to the decrease in mechanical parameters. The study will be practically useful for engineering applications.

Research on Dynamic Visual Simulation of Hydropower Project Construction Based on Virtual Reality

In this paper, the basic theories and algorithms of virtual reality technology are studied, and the key technologies for drawing outdoor large-scale virtual scenes, realistic terrain simulation, virtual sound field simulation, and traffic layout in the construction site, three-dimensional road design, and dam construction simulation Visualization has been studied, and the system simulation information and graphics are closely combined to provide a new environment for the design and management of water conservancy and hydropower projects, and to provide decision-makers with a more scientific and intuitive basis.

Feasibility study on construction of RCC gravity dam under special climatic conditions in Tibet

According to the experience in the construction of water conservancy and hydropower projects in the Mainland, RCC dam construction has two main advantages: the rapid construction speed of roller compacted concrete can realize early power generation, and the price of fly ash is much lower than that of cement, which can reduce the project cost. Tibet has special geographical environment and climatic conditions, and generally has the characteristics of “high altitude, low pressure, low temperature, large temperature difference between day and night, and dry climate”. Taking the dam-building environment in central Tibet as an example, through investigation and research and analogy of similar projects, this paper analyzes the adaptability of construction of RCC gravity dams in Tibet from the aspects of geographical environment, climatic conditions, material properties, construction progress, and project cost. Adaptability to high altitudes. It provides a reference for choosing a safe, reliable, economical and reasonable dam type in the construction of water conservancy and hydropower projects. It provides reference for selecting safe, reliable, economical and reasonable dam types in water conservancy and hydropower engineering construction.

Discussion of some legal provisions on complaints related to land field and modification recommendations

Complaints are one of the constitutional rights, in order to ensure the direct democratic rights of individuals and organizations when having grounds to believe that administrative decisions and acts of competent State agencies, persons authorized by the State the empowering country is illegal, infringing upon its legitimate rights and interests. Currently, the law on complaints does not have specific provisions to deal with land-related complaints, but only in the Law on Complaints 2011. Therefore, it is necessary to amend and supplement some legal provisions are objective requirements to meet the protection of the legitimate rights and interests of land users. On that basis, the author of the article presented, analyzed and explained the contents related to complaints and settlement of complaints; including land areas such as: (i) The statute of limitations for making a complaint; (ii) The inheritance obligation to settle administrative complaints and the right to inherit administrative complaints; (iii) Apply temporary emergency measures; (iv) Responsibility for first-time complaint settlement; (v) Simplified procedures for settlement of complaints in case agricultural land is recovered for construction of irrigation and hydropower projects. Through legal provisions and practical application of complaint settlement in the field of land, the author has proposed to amend and supplement a number of relevant legal provisions, in order to contribute to the improvement of the law.

Stakeholder Behavior Risk Evaluation of Hydropower Projects Based on Social Network Analysis—A Case Study from a Project

Since construction involves many stakeholders and their behavioral risk interaction, which brings risks to the project construction, it is necessary to strengthen the research on the risk management of hydropower projects. This study comprehensively considers the characteristics of hydropower project construction and identifies relevant stakeholders to build and improve the stakeholder behavior risk evaluation index system. On this basis, the social network analysis method is used to build an evaluation model of stakeholders’ behavioral risk transmission network, identify core factors and key relationships, analyze the path of behavioral risk transmission, take measures to cut off the transmission of core factors and key relationships, and test the effect of the risk network after control. The results show that: the evaluation model can effectively identify the core behavioral risk factors and key relationships in the construction process. Then, after taking targeted measures on the core behavioral risk factors and key relationships, hydropower projects are less affected by behavioral risk factors, and the risk transmission paths are reduced, which reduces the probability of behavioral risks arising from stakeholders and improves the behavioral governance efficiency of stakeholders. Applying this research model to the risk management of international hydropower projects can provide better guidance to the stakeholders and improve the accuracy and effectiveness of analyzing the behavioral risks of stakeholders in hydropower projects.

Risk and Security Management: Stakeholder Project Failures Illuminated by an IED occurrence at a Hydro-Power Construction Project in Pakistan

Risk and security management is an important aspect of construction activities, especially in countries where the level of security is challenging. This paper is focused on evaluating the impacts of risk/security measures resulting from stakeholder failures related to explosives mismanagement and security events, over an 18-month period, on a large, complex Dam project in a remote area in Pakistan. In July 2021, an incident occurred that had huge ramifications for the risk/security management of a large dam construction site. A qualitative methodology was utilised, where content analysis was conducted on project documentary evidence and where the research design targeted a closed population of 12 - Engineer supervisors/managers to explore their personal opinions. The outcomes indicated that the Employer, the Engineer, WB group and contractors engage in destructive managerial behaviour considered primarily to reduce project performance and create unsafe project situations that were systemically induced. Further, stakeholders are not managing explosives or the security situation underpinning poor project physical progress, leading to consistent project failure issues.