Chapter Two

Contents
1. Introduction

2. Investigation

I. Investigation of resources

II. Investigation of hydropower projects

3. Hydrology

4. Planning
 Introduction to hydropower investigations
 Hydropower investigations are often carried out as part of an
inventory of water resources, to identify, register and catalogue
the hydropower resources existing in river basins, areas and
districts. They may also be carried out countrywide to prepare
inventories of the complete hydropower potential in a nation.

 Generally investigation can be:

I. Investigation of resources

II. Investigation of hydropower projects

 I. Investigation of resources
 There are two types of Investigation of resources

a) Basic investigation

b) Purpose oriented investigation

A. Basic investigation:

 Basic investigation are part of country wide or general water

resources investigation

 Main purpose is to register or inventoried the available resources

 Identified projects are often ranked according to size, cost etc.

 b. Purpose oriented investigation:

This Carried out for specific purpose i.e, in order to meet

identified needs

 Identify, investigate and select the best projects for the

stated purpose

 Have specific terms of reference to meet

 More comprehensive than basic investigation

 II. Investigation of hydropower projects
 Several planning parameters, comprehensive data and
information are needed for investigation of HPP. The main
data are derived from;

a. Power market

b. Hydrology

c. Topography (survey and mapping)

d. Geology, Soil and Materials

e. Environmental issues

f. Project appraisal and socio-economic considerations

Potential sites of hydropower in Tekeze river basin muster plan

6
a. Power market investigation
 Power demand

–Firm power demand

–Peak load

–Future power demand forecast

 Power supply systems; network of consumers reachable by

the project

 Energy conservation; evaluating the present and potential

markets for electric energy

 Power market survey

B
2.1
2.2
 Estimation of flow to un gauged sites

• Regional frequency analysis

• sequential flow analysis and

• use of Parametric Flow Duration Curve

• A regional frequency analysis involves regression
analysis of gauged catchments within the general
region. Through this technique, sufficiently
reliable equations can often be derived for peak
flow of varying frequency given quantifiable
physical basin characteristics and rainfall intensity
for a specific duration. Once these equations are
developed, they can be then be applied to
ungauged basins within the same region and data
of similar magnitude used in developing the
equations.
The basic approach in regulated and sequential flow analysis
can be explained by referring to the physiographic layout of
figure below.
1. Reservoir Outflow obtain f rom entity
operating reservoir
recor
(location at A)

2. Determine Planimeter N.A.P.

average annual maps and estimate
coef f icient of runof f .
runoff from ungauged
(Location is B
tributary area. considering area M)

3. Compute
See sequential
sequential flow from f low analysis
ungauged tributary f low chart
area.

This is simple
4. Sum outflows
sequential addition of
from ungauged
calculated inf low f rom
tributary area and ungauged area plus
reservoir outflow observed reservoir
outf low

5. Perform 6. Perform Use standard

flow duration or sequential hydrologic
analysis flow analysis technique
 Egxample.
Compensation demand
of TK HP

Manth Qdemand

Jan 6.5

Feb 4.2

Mar 6.4

Apr 9.8

May 9.4

Jun 23.9

Jul 60

Aug 60

Sep 60

Oct 53.5

Nov 22.6

Dec 12.5
Reservoir (storage) capacity

Storage (1)
Dam (2)
Appurtenant Structure: Intake and Spillage Structures:
Spillage Structure: Spillway (5)
Intake: Service Intake (3) and Bottom Outlet (4)
Surveillance Structure (in Dam, in Foundation as well as Valley Sides)
Diversion (6)
Service Road (7)
 c. Topographic survey

 The head together with the flow determine the size of the

water resource in terms of hydropower terms. The size of the

head must therefore be determined at an early stage as this

parameter is of vital importance in the planning process.

 Topographic surveys of catchment areas, reservoirs, dam sites,

major structures sites and project land areas will be carried

out and contour maps in appropriate scales constructed.

 Head
Assessment

• Surveying, GPS and topo map

• Difference in elevation readings
 d. Geology, Soil and Materials

 Knowledge of the geology and physical properties of the

surface and underground are needed early in the
investigation process. It is also the costliest part hence,
are purpose oriented and carried out in the right place.

- Exploration of Foundation Conditions, Soils and Materials.

- Reservoir Tightness and Slope Stability

- Seismicity (earthquake)

- Sediment flow
 e. Environmental issues
 The hydropower planning must ensure that the project
causes minimum environmental disturbance.

•Effects of diversion on a stretch of river

•Transfer of water from one river basin to another

•Storage should not submerge areas of agricultural,

economic, social or ecological importance
 f. Project appraisal and socio-economic considerations
 Hydropower projects are normally appraised by their direct benefits
and the financial values values

 The social benefits result from the provision of light, heat and
motive power usually are considered. In addition there is greatly
enhanced quality of life which electrification can bring about

 Economic benefits from electrification arises in two ways;

–Directly: through employment opportunities, provision of material

and supply of components, selling electricity.

–Indirectly: stimulating the local economy, creating commercial and

industrial activities, providing employment opportunities, training
local population, regional and international integration
 3. Planning
T HE P ROJ ECT CYCLE

Economic and Economic and

Financial Analysis Financial Analysis

The hydropower Pre-Feasibility

Studies
Feasibility
Studies

development
cycle
DESIGN PHASE

Economic and Economic and

Financial Analysis Financial Analysis

IMPLEMENTATION PHASE
 Planning cont…
 Development of hydropower follows well defined stages.
Each stage takes the project a step forward in the
development cycle based on the findings from the actual
and previous stages.

 Hydropower development cycle consists of 3 main parts;

–Preconstruction design phase

–Implementation stage (construction stage)

–operation after installation

Hydropower Project cycle
 Planning cont…

Water resources project planning usually involves

the following steps:
–Identify problems and determining objectives and constraints

–Developing alternative programs (strategies) to solve the problems and

meet objectives

–Evaluating the alternatives with regard to how will meet objectives and
satisfy the various constraints

–Identify the ‘best’ solution

The Planning process
 Planning cont…
 Major parts of investigation, planning and design takes place in
the first phase. These are organized as follows in order of detail,
importance and reliability;

–Reconnaissance studies

–Prefeasibility studies

–Feasibility studies

–Defined plan study

 Each stage involves following suitability criteria;

–Technical –Environmental

–Social –Economic

–Legal –Scientific methods

 I. Reconnaissance studies

 The main objectives of reconnaissance studies are listed below:

 to identify suitable power projects for the stated purpose

 to investigate apparent alternative solution for inclusion in the plans,

or rejection

 to investigate and study the various projects and project alternatives

to the confidence level required

 to compare the candidate and formulate the project best suited for

the stated purpose

 to record lower ranked projects and project alternatives for future

reference

 to provide preliminary cost figures & implementation schedules

 II. Prefeasibility studies
 In this phase one or more identified projects are brought one step
further in the planning process.

 The main purpose of pre feasibility investigations is to:

 establish the need and justification for the project

 formulate a plan for developing the project

 determine the technical, economical and environmental

practicability of the project

 define the limits of the project

 ascertain local interest in and the desire for the project

 make recommendations for further action

 III. Feasibility studies

 The feasibility study is carried out in order to determine the

engineering (technical), economical and environmental
feasibility of the projects.

 Feasibility investigations include analysis of resources:

 estimates of net economic values to be produced

 estimates of cost of development and construction

 estimation of cost of operation, maintenance and replacement

 assessment of the impact of implementation of the project will have

on the environment and the cost of mitigating the effects
 IV. Detailed (Definite) study
 This stage provides the basis for the construction of the engineering
works. Besides it provides up-to-date and complete information, and to
prepare detailed design drawings, before the actual construction of the
project can begin.

 This phase includes

–Detailed engineering studies and design for the first priority WRDP

–Development of environmental control projects

–Development of projects for resettlement of affected population

–Tender document for construction, manufacturing, supervision,

assembly works

–License will be given including the environmental aspect

 Check list for definite plan studies
 Planning and Design; review of feasibility study, detailed field
investigation and inclusion of additional data, testing of design by
means of hydraulic models, optimization and refinements of the
plans, final layout, design and design report.

 Legal documents; general and special condition of contract,

instruction to tenderers, contract forms, construction schedule.

 Technical documents; tender drawings, technical specifications, Bill

of quantity and tender forms.

 Additional documents; engineers estimate, disbursement schedule,

financing schedule, training program, field investigation report.
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