Water Power Development Research Articles

Giluyskaya Hydropower – new approach to project development

Multivariate water-power calculations were carried out and the main parameters of the reservoired Gilyuyskaya HPP were justified. The Gilyuy river is located in the Amur Region of the Far Eastern Federal District and is a right tributary of the Zeya River. The mouth of the Gilyuy river is located above the power site of Zeyskaya HPP. Based on the water-power calculations, it was found that the most efficient way is to use live storage capacity of 3.13 km3 and the turbine flow rate of HPP equal to 268 m3/s. The installed power capacity of Giluyskaya HPP is justified on the basis of maximizing the net present value and is assumed to be 213 MW. Hydropower has three hydraulic units with radial-axial turbine RO115with impeller diameter of 3.35 m and synchronous speed of 214.3rpm.The high-head water power development includes as follows: a concrete gravity dam, a concrete spillway dam with nappe-shaped profile, a concrete power dam with three water inlets and three steel pipelines with a diameter of 4 m, as well as HPP building. The HPP building is 48.68 m long and consists of three hydropower units with a width of 16.23 m. The length of the tent of HPP building along the flowstream is 18.5 m. The assembly area is 24.34 m long.

Epidemiological and hygiene assessment of the health status of population in the area of the construction site of low-head water power development

Hydrotechnical facilities have significant environmental and health imyacts. Results of a hygienic assessment of the condition of environmental objects in the area of the yrojected Nizhny Novgorod low-head water ylant develoyment showed that the both air and water pollution level in decentralized water supply sources in Balakhna and Gorodets are lower than in the city of Nizhny Novgorod, and those of the water in the water supply network are higher than in the reference area. A cross-sectional study has revealed in the main grouf (Gorodets, Zavolzhye and Balakhna) the rate of morbidity of nervous system and cardiovascular diseases to be higher than in the reference group (Nizhny Novgorod), with cardiovascular diseases being the largest contributor to the overall grevalence rate in the groug under analysis; and digestive system diseases, in the reference group. The study has no revealed direct correlation between morbidity rate in children and adults and the studied factors. However, a direct relationship has been found between the prevalence rate of endocrine diseases in children and the quality of water in the water supply network in Balakhna District (p<0.007); also, there’s a correlation between the morbidity rate of digestive diseases and air pollution and water quality in the water supply network (p<0.009). In the Gorodets District, the same situation has been revealed: the morbidity rate of endocrine diseases in children depends on quality of water from the water supply network (p<0.049); the prevalence rate of digestive diseases, on air pollution and water quality in the water supply network (p<0.048). In the same region in adults the prevalence rate of the nervous system diseases, digestive diseases and diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue depends on air pollution and pollution of water in the water supply network (p<0.011, p<0.01 and p<0.02, respectively).

HYDRO-GEOMORPHIC FACTORS AND THE POTENTIAL OF HYDROKINETIC POWER PRODUCTION UPSTREAM OF IKERE GORGE DAM, NIGERIA

The operation of hydrokinetic turbine depends on river flow and pressure head (∆H) which are of high potential in many parts of Nigeria. This study attempts the analysis of the potential of the area upstream of Ikere Gorge dam for hydrokinetic potential. Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was used to determine the hydrological parameters of the sub-basins. Pearson Moment Correlation and linear regression methods were used to find the relationships between morphometric properties and the discharge parameters. Hydrological modeling and statistical computations were done to estimate the theoretical potential of the catchment. The result shows that River Oshe has 9.542 MW, which is the highest potential while River Konsun with 1.161 MW has the lowest potential Pearson Moment Correlation shows that there is strong positive relation of 0.7 between slope and pressure head (∆H) at 0.05 significant levels. The result of the multiple regression show that hydro-geomorphic factors explained 59.1% of the variance in the explanation of hydrokinetic power potential upstream of Ikere gorge dam.&#x0D; References&#x0D; Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP) (2011). Hydrokinetic energy (In-River, Tidal and&#x0D; Ocean Current), Retrieved from http://energy-alaska.wikidot.com/ on April 20th, 2014&#x0D; Aschenbrenner, F. (2008). Innovation on traditional waterwheels for renewable energy //&#x0D; Power electronics and motion Control conference, Portoroz, Slovenia, pp.1625&#x0D; Bahleda, M., and Hosko, M. A. (2007). Assessment of water power potential and development&#x0D; Needs: Electric power research institute, California&#x0D; Bhattacharya, A.K., and Bolaji, G.A. (2012). Fluid Flow Interactions in Ogun River,&#x0D; International Journal of Research and Reviews in Applied Sciences, 2 (2): 22-23.&#x0D; Electric Power Research Institute, EPRI (2012). Fish passage through turbine: Application of&#x0D; convectional hydropower data to hydrokinetic technology Palo Alto, USA&#x0D; Energy Information Administration (2014). Retrieved on Dec. 20th, 2014 from&#x0D; www.eia.gov/electricity&#x0D; Epler, J. (2010). Tidal Resources characteristics from acoustics Doppler current profiler, An&#x0D; Unpublished M.Sc.Thesis, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, USA&#x0D; Evan, M. (2012). Hydrokinetic Power: An Analysis of Its Performance and Potential in the Roza&#x0D; and Kittas Canals. An Unpublished M. Sc. Thesis, the Evergreen State College, USA&#x0D; Ifabiyi, I.P. and Wahab, S. (2017). Theoretical potential of hydrokinetic energy in the Upper &#x0D; Ogun and Upper Kaduna River basins, Nigeria. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 19 (1): 242-256. Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Clarion, USA. ISSN: 1520-5509. Jsd-africa@clarion.edu&#x0D; Kosnik, L. (2008). The Potential of Water Power in the Fight against Global Warming in the&#x0D; USA, Energy policy, doi: 10.1016/ J. enpol. (05), 009.&#x0D; Kusakana, K., and Vermaak, H. J. (2013). Hydrokinetic Power Generation for Rural Electricity&#x0D; Supply: Case of South Africa. Renewable Energy, 1 (55): 467-73.&#x0D; Ladokun, L.L., Ajao, K.R., and Sule, B.F. (2013). Hydrokinetic Energy Conversion System: Pros&#x0D; -pects and Challenges in Nigerian Hydrological setting, Nigerian Journal of Technology, 3 (32): 538-549.&#x0D; Miller, V.B, Ramde, E.W., Grandoville, R.T., and Schaefer, L.A. (2010). Hydrokinetic Power&#x0D; for Energy Access in Rural Ghana, Renewable Energy International Journal, 1(36): 671-675.&#x0D; Mohibullah, M., Radzi, A. M., and Hakim, M.I.A. (2004). Basics Design Aspects of Micro&#x0D; Hydropower Plant and Its Potential Development in Malaysia // Power and Energy&#x0D; Conference, Kualar Lumpur, pp. 220-223.&#x0D; Neitsch, S.L, Arnold, J.G., Kiniry, J.R and Williams, J.R. (2009). Soil and Water Assessment&#x0D; Tool Theoretical Documentation Version 2009 Grassland, Soil and Water Research Laboratory-Agriculture Research Service, Blackland Research Center- Texas Agrilife Research., USA.&#x0D; Ofuani, A.I. (2013). Combating climate change through renewable energy legislation in&#x0D; Nigeria: Prospects and Challenges. Paper Presented at university of Ilorin/ UCC (Ghana) International Conference held at university of Ilorin. May 1st-4th 2011.&#x0D; &#x0D; Stephen, V.A, Paul, T.A., and Daniel, J.G. (2012). Survival and Behaviour of Fish interacting&#x0D; With Hydrokinetic Turbines, 9th ISE, Vienna, USA&#x0D; &#x0D; Vermaak, H.J., Kusakana, K., and Koko, S.P. (2013). Status of Micro-hydrokinetic River&#x0D; Technology in Rural Applications: A Review of literature: Renewable and sustainable&#x0D; energy reviews, 29(14): 625-633.&#x0D; Wahab, S., Ifabiyi, I.P. and Adeogun, A.G. (20017). SWAT analysis of Ikere Gorge Basin for&#x0D; Hydrokinetic power estimation in selected rural settlement of Oke Ogun, Nigeria. Ruhuna Journal of Science. 8(2):24-43 Ruhuna, Faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. eISSN: 2536-8400. DOI: http//:doi.org/10.4038/rjs.v8il.&#x0D; &#x0D; Copyright (c) 2018 Geosfera Indonesia Journal and Department of Geography Education, University of Jember&#x0D; This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share A like 4.0 International License

A Study of the Chousen Amnokgang Waterpower Corporation, a Chousen Special-Purpose Company Active in the 1930s

As part of a research project on Korean special-purpose companies of the 1930s, this study empirically examined the formation and management of Joseon Amnokgang Waterpower Corporation which had undertaken the development of water power on the Amnokgang River since September 1937. In August 1937, the Japanese Government- General of Korea signed a joint operation agreement with Manchukuo to establish Joseon Amnokgang Waterpower Corporation. The company was an ordinary corporation formed by the pooling of private resources, unlike Manchuria Amnokgang Waterpower Corporation characterized as a government-owned special-purpose business entity. Furthermore, by setting up the Korea-Manchuria Amnokgang Joint Technical Committee, the Amnokgang Waterpower Development Committee and the Amnokgang Dam Technical Committee, the Japanese Government- General of Korea had the exclusively authority to supervise and control the overall progress of the Amnokgang River hydropower development project and was inextricably involved in the distribution of ownership. The first phase of the Amnokgang hydropower development plan was intended to build a global-scale dam and power plant in Supung, which started operations in August. The Supung Power Plant served southern Manchuria and the northwestern area of Korea with its power-generating capacity for plentiful and cheap electricity, contributing to the rise of energy-intensive industries and the heavy and chemical industrialization in the areas. Joseon Amnokgang Waterpower Corporation was a strategic capital entity and typical Korean special-purpose company the Japanese Government-General of Korea assigned to promote the development of key industries, by mobilizing capital, technological capabilities and business resources from the private sector.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN JOINT STREAMS REGULATION BY TWO HYDROELECTRIC COMPLEXES

Lowland river water power developments are usually built to solve complex tasks on the basis of the requirements of rational use of water resources. First of all, operating conditions of hydroelectric complex structures should provide safety and economic efficiency in their work. Besides, they are aimed to satisfy various demands of water consumers. It is particularly important that behaviour of hydroelectric complex structures should satisfy contemporary requirements of environmental security. &#x0D; The most important task here is to create favourable ecological conditions of life for people who live in settlements located in the zone of influence of two hydroelectric complexes located on different rivers. Here, to achieve environmental targets it is necessary to interlink modes of operation of these water storage control structures. &#x0D; There are two water power developments built in the Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia, in the middle flow of the Belaya River. Both of them have considerable impact on the formation of level mode and different consumers’ water supply. They are Umaguzinskiy and Nugushskiy water power developments. &#x0D; Both hydroelectric complexes and their water reservoirs together satisfy the following generally accepted requirements of water consumers: &#x0D; - they prevent the lowering of the water level in the river Belaya (during low streamflow period) below the minimum values required to ensure proper water supply for industrial enterprises; &#x0D; - they generate electric power and provide industries and cities with electricity. To do that each water-economic complex has its own water reservoir and a set of retaining structures and required culvert installations.&#x0D; In addition, the following environmental requirements are imposed on co-regulation of water runoff: &#x0D; - protection of waterfronts of the towns Meleuz, Salavat, Ishimbay and Sterlitamak from flooding in flood season; &#x0D; -protection of the territories of refineries in flood season (during water rise). &#x0D; Umaguzinskiy water power development has the following water sluices to control water stream: 1) submerged flood-discharge outlet; 2) shore flood spillway; 3) aggregates of powerhouse. General water carrying capacity of hydroelectric complex structures is 3915 м3/c. Nugushskiy hydroelectric complex consists of hydraulic engineering structure power room (1) and left shore spillway (2). Combined water carrying capacity of all hydroelectric complex structures here is 1250 м3/c.&#x0D; The authors investigated operation modes of Nugushskiy and Umaguzinskiy water power developments when linked into one water-economic complex and came to the conclusion that modes of operation of these water storage control structures should be adjusted in accordance with the operational condition of the main pressure installations and of downstream flood-control facilities. In particular, it is necessary to take into account the unfinished state of flood prevention measures in the middle reaches of the river Belaya.

On Structures and Control Methods of Joint Streams Regulation by Two Water Power Developments in Satisfying Water Consumers’ Demands

The paper describes basic characteristics and maintenance conditions of Umaguzin and Nugush water power developments which were built in the Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia, in different time periods. The importance of water reservoirs formed as a result of their construction is stressed. The research shows the peculiarities of work, gives technical characteristics of these storage control structures and defines their key role in regulation of streams. Interrelationship of operating stages in the work of storage control water power developments is also underlined. As an example, the authors present their determinations of intermediate inflow coefficient of water flow. The paper reviews water consumers’ demands for joint regulation of water course by different water power developments and for level-based operation of their joint afterbay. Some recommendations for satisfying these demands are given and economic effectiveness of these recommendations is estimated.

The Use of Low-head Waterpower Developments in Making Cargo Passages Through Lowland Rivers

The article is devoted to the problems of making cargo passages through low-head waterpower developments (those built in XX century in Central Russia). The paper presents an analysis of layout and structural properties of these passages which go through phreatic and concrete dams and through river-run power plants. The paper stresses the importance of these cargo passages for transport connection both at the time when hydraulic engineering structures were being built and nowadays. The research also points out the problems in cargo passages operation and explains why these problems occur. Motor highways through the biggest hydroelectric power stations of the Volga are taken as an example. The author offers some efficient technical solutions for making cargo passages through lowland rivers more effective.

Clark v. Duke: The Struggle for Water Rights and the Future of North Carolina’s Public Energy Policy

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Democracy in government is almost impossible until we have a democracy in industrialism to the extent of public ownership of all the great agencies such as transportation by rail, water power, coal mines, and oil wells ... Public ownership of these utilities will insure democracy in government....--Walter Clark, North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Leading North Carolinians, among them James B. Duke, the fortune behind the American Tobacco and Southern Power companies, crowded into a Raleigh courtroom in November 1920. The state's Corporation Commission was considering the Southern Power Company's application for a rate increase--the first application of its kind by a North Carolina public energy corporation, and the first decision by the Corporation Commission on electrical rates. That North Carolina's Corporation Commission would consider, and later exercise, regulatory control over the state's largest power company--owned by the South's wealthiest industrialist--would not have been possible less than a year earlier. (1) In the first quarter of the twentieth century, the state's Democratic party hindered numerous political reforms in North Carolina--from the enactment of women's suffrage to the regulation of electrical rates charged by energy companies. Nevertheless, during the second decade of the twentieth century, North Carolina saw significant reform to its public energy policy as the state's water power resources shifted from a laissez-faire public energy market to a corporate monopoly that was held in check--at least in theory--by the Corporation Commission. In 1898, the Democratic party's White Supremacy Campaign crushed the half decade-long fusion of Populists and Republicans. With the Populists defeated, and many finding their way back into a conservative Democratic party, no grassroots movement stood in the way of the Southern Power Company's bid for electrical control. Despite a 1913 grant of statutory authority to police regulatory rates, the state's Corporation Commission cautiously avoided conflict, reluctant to use its authoritative power. As a result, only the state's court system could prevent the company's dictation of the state's public energy policy. At the head of the court was North Carolina's patrician Populist (a registered Democrat) and Supreme Court Chief Justice Walter Clark, whose outspokenness blurred the lines between jurist and progressive reformer. Clark had advocated for full public ownership of public resources in popular addresses and national journals. For Clark, mere regulatory control of a corporate monopoly on North Carolina's water resources, and the energy acquired through their use, was an unnecessary compromise that fell short of the ideal. To achieve his goals of public ownership, Clark pitted himself against Duke in editorials and courtrooms. GAS, NO SOOT, NO DIRT As the electrification of North Carolina progressed in the early twentieth century, water was regarded as a valuable energy source--something that was cheap, abundant, and renewable. Clark wrote on the potential of hydropower, There will be no coal to go in, no ashes to go out, no gas, no soot, no dirt. Many local newspapers were similarly optimistic, reporting that electricity derived from hydropower would soon replace steam as the main energy source for railroads, mills, cities, and homes, and lauding water power investors. But as Raleigh's News and Observer lamented, the nineteenth century had lacked men of business sense with the necessary capital to establish large plants and fully utilize the water power that has so long swept unused into the sea. (2) Change seemed possible in 1899, when North Carolina published results from its first large-scale analysis of the State's ability to harness water power in the North Carolina Geological Survey's Bulletin No. 8. Inquirers--investors and those contemplating the development of water power in the near future--were rewarded with pre-publication copies of the report. …

Rural modernisation as national development: The Norwegian case 1900–1950

Nilsen, R. 2014. Rural modernisation as national development: The Norwegian case 1900–1950. Norsk Geografisk Tidsskrift–Norwegian Journal of Geography Vol. 68, 50–58. ISSN 0029-1951.The aim of the article is to explain the maintenance of a pattern of scattered rural settlement in Norway during industrialisation and modernisation. The ‘master narrative’ of Norwegian transformation, based on the development of waterpower and the metallurgical and fertiliser industries, is only one of three narratives that can be told about the national transformation in the 20th century. A second narrative concerns the modernisation along the coast, and a third concerns the development of a varied, mostly rural, manufacturing and import-substituting industry. It is suggested that this attempt at rewriting the history of Norwegian modernisation can do what the master narrative does not do, namely explain the transformation from a poor to a rich society while more than half of the national population continued to live in rural areas.

Analysis for Suspended Load along the Fluctuating Backwater Region in Trial Impoundment of Three Gorges Reservoir

Three gorges hydropower, the biggest hydropower project in the world at present, is a backbone project for flood control and water power development of Yangtze river. From the flood season in 2008 with the beginning test impounding to 2012 has been implemented for five years, that water level has been continue to rise to 175m during 2010 to 2012. After the impoundment to normal water level, backwater is near Jiangjin during dry season with water level of 175m and is nearby Changshou in flood with water level of 145m, then Changshou upstream is the fluctuating backwater region. In this paper, based on a large amount of measured hydrologic data with Zhutuo, Cuntan, Qingxichang and Beibei, Wulong hydrological station on fluctuating backwater region, firstly suspended sediment inflow changes is analyzed, secondly suspended sediment characteristics is studied from the grouping sediment content and gradation change along the river in experimental impounding, then suspended sediment basic characteristics is gained about varying backwater region.

Identification of rainfall–runoff model for improved baseflow estimation in ungauged basins

AbstractBaseflow is an integral component of environmental flow prescriptions to mitigate the impacts of flow regime alteration on the ecological condition of rivers and often the most contentious issue in project planning, particularly for waterpower development. Baseflow prescriptions to meet ecological objectives are increasingly derived from a natural reference condition, often a simulated streamflow time series for an ungauged basin. Accuracy of baseflow estimates is important for identifying ecological water requirements and possible ecosystem and economic tradeoffs with confidence. Estimating baseflow time series in ungauged basins to accurately quantify a natural reference condition in all regions of Ontario is particularly difficult given the heterogeneity in landscape, climate, and size of the basins where simulated time series are required. To identify the optimal hydrologic model for baseflow simulation in all regions of Ontario, five variants of McMaster University‐Hydrologiska Byråns Vattenbalansavdelning (MAC‐HBV) were tested using a combination of possible model parameters, linear and nonlinear storage‐discharge relationship in deep soil layers, and different criteria for optimizing model parameter sets. It was found that the hydrologic model which used a nonlinear storage‐discharge relationship, a larger range of model parameters and included low flow criteria in the optimization procedure showed the best performance for baseflow estimates. The optimal model was then combined with a coupled regionalization method to improve baseflow estimates in ungauged basins compared with the original MAC‐HBV model. This included a ∼20% increase in the median of Nash Sutcliffe efficiencies and a 50% reduction in the volume errors for the tested basins. The resulting model provides a tool that can be used reliably throughout Ontario to simulate streamflow and baseflow time series in ungauged basins and to calculate baseflow indicators and criteria for aquatic ecosystem assessments of planned flow regime alterations. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Standardization of the strength of large-lump soils

Today’s continuous increase in prices paid for mineral fuel, and stringency of requirements to protect the environment from pollution by hot-house gases throughout the entire world is promoting growing interest in the development of water power. In Russia, for example, construction is therefore being planned for a number of new HPP, and prospects for resumption of construction on the Rogunskaya HPP in Tadzhikistan and the Kambartin HPP in Kirgizia are being actively revisited. High dams, including those built of earthen materials are a component part in all large-scale HPP. The most important problem encountered for these dams is the assurance of their reliability and safety; this is achieved primarily by the strength of the soils employed. Large-lump soils, the volumes of which are frequently very large, are some of the basic materials utilized for the construction of high earthen dams. Thus, the volume of soils in the Nurek and Rogunskaya (designed by the Sredazgidroproekt) Dams is 54.2 and 72.1 million m3, respectively. Although man has used conventional soils as a construction material for several thousands of years, large-lump soils, the size of individual lumps of which reaches 500 mm and more, has come into use only recently since the middle of the last century after the appearance of heavy-duty construction equipment capable of excavating and transporting them, and placing and compacting them in a structure [1, 2]. The two basic types of large-lump spoils are gravellyconglomerate mixtures, and a quarried mass of broken stone. Here, the strength of large-lump soils has been standardized only for sandy and gravelly-sandy soils for hydraulicked dams, whereupon standardization has been to a large degree conditional for densities that vary over a rather broad range. It is also possible to note that the design strength for these soils has also been established with insufficient accuracy; this has necessitated its substantial reduction in Construction Rule and Regulation 2.06.05–84 as compared with Construction Rule and Regulation II-53–73 (Table 1). As for large-lump soils in rolled filled dams, the Constructions Rules and Regulations recommend the density be determined from results of direct tests of the soils, or their standard mixtures. Strength investigations for large-lump soils are very labor-intensive, and require considerable time; tests with these soils are therefore conducted only within the framework of plans for specific large-scale structures, and in very limited volumes. Due to the high labor intensiveness and duration of direct strength tests for large-lump soils, these investigations for each specific case are, as a rule, restricted to the testing of only a small number of specimens (3 – 5) for different normal-stress values o. Experimental data are reduced in o – o coordinates. The resultant o = f(o) line or curve also serves as the basis for determination of the desired strength parameters tan o and c. Here, the standard strength is assumed equal to the average value. Moreover, the design strength is generally conditional in nature, since it is impossible here to satisfy requirements of the Construction Rules and Regulations regarding its level of significance, for which the 90-percentile strength, or strength corresponding to a confidence level of 0.95 is adopted. A large number of points would be required for this purpose. And mainly, all test points on the experimental o = f(o) curve are, as a rule, obtained during the testPower Technology and Engineering Vol. 43, No. 2, 2009

The potential of water power in the fight against global warming in the US

The leading cause of climate change today is the burning of fossil fuels related to energy production. One approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, therefore, is to more actively switch to renewable technologies in the production of electricity, and reduce the use of fossil fuels in electricity production. This is the goal of renewable portfolio standard (RPS) legislation, currently in effect in 28 states across the country. In this paper we discuss the potential for water power development as one method to reduce US greenhouse gas emissions. We look at the potential from (1) new small/micro hydropower dams, (2) uprating facilities at existing large hydropower dams, (3) new generating facilities at existing non-hydropower dams, and (4) hydrokinetics. We analyze this potential by type, by state, and by its ability to satisfy current RPS goals. Finally, we consider the cost-effectiveness of developing these sources of water-based energy. We find that while water power will never be the complete answer to emissions-free energy production, a strong case can be made that it can be a useful part of the answer.

The Potential of Water Power in the Fight Against Global Warming

The leading cause of climate change today is the burning of fossil fuels related to energy production. One approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, therefore, is to more actively switch to proven renewable technologies in the production of electricity, and reduce the use of fossil fuels in electricity production. This is the goal of renewable portfolio standard (RPS) legislation, currently in effect in 28 states across the country. In this paper we discuss the potential for water power development as one method to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. We look at the potential from 1) new small/micro hydropower dams, 2) uprating facilities at existing large hydropower dams, 3) new generating facilities at existing non-hydropower dams, and 4) hydrokinetics. We analyze this potential by type, by state, and by its ability to satisfy current RPS goals. Finally, we consider the cost-effectiveness of developing these sources of water-based energy. We find that while water power will never be the complete answer to emissions-free energy production, a strong case can be made that it can be a useful part of the answer.

Why Mami Wata matter: Local considerations for sustainable waterpower development policy in Central Africa

This paper is based on the author's fieldwork on the incorporation of local cultural understandings in the design of rural sustainability projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It explores several narratives about Mami Wata, mythological aquatic figures widely known in West and Central Africa, and their meanings for small-scale waterpower development projects, or micro-hydros. Careful examination of such narratives represents one way in which local conceptions and understandings can inform rural development policy, especially with regard to the social distribution of the benefits such projects aim to bring. When designing policies, development agents and agencies would do well to take these mythological and spiritual dimensions of local people's reality seriously rather than dismiss them as irrelevant, or simply as non-empirical phenomena and therefore without effects. The paper concludes with some concrete suggestions for policy action, paying special attention to how researchers and policymakers can work together to integrate local understandings more effectively into rural development strategies.

Storsteinsfjellbreen: variations in mass balance from the 1960s to the 1990s

When the Norwegian State Power Board decided to plan an extensive water power development in the mountainous areas southeast of Narvik in northern Norway, a large mapping project was started. Detailed maps were constructed at a scale of 1:10 000 from aerial photographs taken in 1960. Several hydrometric stations were installed, and three glaciers were selected for mass balance observations. Storsteinsfjellbreen was the largest of these, and a special glacier map with 10 m contours was printed in four colours, to be used in the field work. Mass balance studies were carried out initially during one 5‐year period (1964–68), and also later during another 5‐year period (1991–95).Results from these periods are compared with similar data from the Swedish glacier Storglaciären, about 45 km to the southeast. For all the years except one (1968), the net balance of these glaciers shows a similar pattern: positive years and negative years are synchronous.A new glacier map was made from a special aerial survey in 1993 at the same scale and of similar accuracy as the first map, so a comparison could be made to calculate the change in glacier volume from 1960 to 1993. From digital terrain models it could be shown that the glacier surface had dropped more than 60 m vertically on the tongue, while the thickness increased above the equilibrium line by up to 20 m. The overall mass loss amounted to 16.8×106 m3 water during 33 years, which corresponds to an extra 2.6 l·s−1·km−2 (litres per sec. per sq. km) delivered to the river, in addition to the “normal” dischargedue to annual precipitation, which is 36 l·s−1·km−2 in the area.A copy of the new glacier map is enclosed with this article.

Basic trends in scientific developments in water power problems and means of water-power development

The All-Russian conference of hydraulic engineers was organized by the Russian joint-stock company for power and electrification "EI~S Rossii," the corporation "Edinyi t~lektro6nergeticheskii Kompleks," the International Energy Academy, and the AOOT "B. E. Vedeneyev All-Russian Scientific-Research Institute of Hydraulic Engineering." The idea for the conference was supported by the Division of Physicotechnical Problems of Power Engineering, Russian Academy of Sciences, the Scientific Council of the Russian Academy of Sciences on Reliability and Safety Problems of Large Power Systems, a number of representatives of the State Council, specialists of the body of the Government of the Russian Federation, administrations of subjects of the Russian Federation, many organizations with a water-power profile, power systems, hydroelectric plants, and other organizations. The objective of the conference was to analyze the modern state of water power, assess its role in the United Power System of Russia, address the program of current and long-term development in the field, prepare proposals for government support of water power, and to develop drafts of a number of regulatory documents at the presidential and governmental level. The proposal concerning the conference for Russian water-power engineers generated a broad response. Representatives of more than 300 organizations and establishments, including the body of the Government of the Russian Federation, the Russian Autonomous Union "EF~S Rossii," the corporation "EI~I~K," the Ministry of Fuel and Power of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Natural Resources, 23 power systems (Mos6nergo, Chita6nergo, Tyumen'6nergo, Vostok6nergo, Karel6nergo, Kuban'6nergo, etc.), 11 hydroelectric power plants (Kama, Irkutsk, Krasnoyarsk, Chirkey, Zeya, etc.), series of hydroelectric power plants (Svir', Kern', Vygsk, Sulak), nine construction organizations (Gidro6nergostroi, Kureig6sstroi, Katun'g6sstroi, Chirkeig6sstroi, etc.), 14 design organizations (Gidroproekt, Sevzap6nergoproekt, Krasnoyarskgidroproekt, Teplo61ektroproekt, etc.), six scientific-research organizations (B. E. Vedeneyev All-Union Scientific-Research Institute of Hydraulic Engineering, Scientific-Research Institute of Construction Economics, Siberian Scientific-Research Institute of Power Engineering, etc.), construction-assembly organizations (Spetsgidro6nergomontazh, Gidrospetsstroi, Gidromontazh, Gidro61ektromontazh, etc.), and a number of organizations of different profiles (Soyuzgidropostavka, Tekhnoprom6ksport, Sevzap6nergotekhnadzor, the PAO "Volgobla," etc.) took part in the work of the conference, which was conducted on 23-24 October 1996 in Saint Petersburg. Deputies of the State Council, representatives of regional administrations of Russia, the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Russian Engineering Academy, and the Academy of Water Utilization Sciences participated in the conference. Representatives of the Moldov6nergo, Ukrgidroproekt, and Tashgidroproekt attended from neighboring countries. Welcoming telegrams from First Vice Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation A. A. Bol'shakov, Governor of Saint Petersburg V. Ya. Yakovlev, Governor of the Leningrad Oblast V. A. Gustov, and General Secretary of the Council of the Interparliamentary Assembly of Government Participants for Friendship Between Independent Governments M. Krotov were delivered in an address to the conference. Twenty-two papers were heard at the conference; "Basic positions of the Program for development of water power in Russian from 1997 through 2015 with a prospectus to 2030," which were prepared by the Russian Autonomous Union "EI~S Rossii," the corporation "Et~t~K," the Autonomous Union "Institut Gidroproekt," the Autonomous Union

Program for the future development of water power

Program for the future development of water power

Development of water power in Uzbekistan

Development of water power in Uzbekistan

SMES- An opportunity for global energy, economic and environmental integration

Through the centuries, many discoveries and technologies have had the opportunity to impact and enhance the existence of mankind and his environs on Earth. Some of these technologies include the wheel, the early development of water power, ships, steam engines, internal combustion engines, generators and electricity, microscopes, telescopes, automobiles, airplanes, X-ray machines, radio, television, radar, sonar, submarines, nuclear energy for peaceful power uses, microwave communications systems, computers, space vehicles, satellites, and MRI machines. Today, breakthroughs in technology are typically the result of improved components and materials and processes rather that the development of new systems altogether. This conference is providing us with information on new superconducting materials as well as