Applied Mechanics

Permanent URI for this collection

http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/216

Browse

Browsing Applied Mechanics by Subject "Hydropower Retrofitting"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Hydropower Retrofitting Feasibility study for a comparative Engineering and Economic Analysis: A case Study of Tendaho Dam
    (Addis Ababa University, 2026-05) Abiy Sileshi; Tilahun Nigussie
    This study assesses the technical and economic feasibility of retrofitting the Tendaho Dam in Ethiopia for hydropower generation while preserving its primary irrigation function. Three retrofit strategies are evaluated: the Dedicated Waterway Strategy (Option I), the Bifurcation Strategy (Option II), and the Channel Utilization Strategy (Option III). A sequential, quantitative, engineering-based methodology is applied, integrating hydrological analysis, engineering assessment, hydraulic modelling, and economic evaluation. Long-term hydrological data, including river discharge, reservoir levels, and irrigation releases, are analysed to determine dependable flows and available head. Structural and operational characteristics of the dam are assessed using original design documents and verified through field observations to identify physical constraints and ensure irrigation compliance. Technically feasible retrofit options are modelled using established hydropower equations to estimate installed capacity, power output, and annual energy generation. Economic and financial performance is evaluated using the RETScreen platform, employing indicators such as Net Present Value (NPV), Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), and payback period. The results demonstrate that retrofitting the Tendaho Dam is both technically and economically feasible. Options I and II achieve installed capacities exceeding 16 MW and annual energy generation greater than 111,000 MWh, confirming that the existing structural and hydraulic systems can support large-scale hydropower development without compromising irrigation requirements. Option III, although smaller in scale, remains technically viable and highlights the potential for incremental hydropower retrofitting. Financial analysis indicates that engineering design choices strongly influence economic outcomes. Option II yields the highest NPV, followed by Option I, while Option III generates only marginal returns. Cost-effectiveness analysis shows that Options I and II achieve LCOE values between 0.013 and 0.017 USD/kWh, well below the IRENA benchmark of 0.05 USD/kWh, whereas Option III, although feasible, is less competitive. The study concludes that optimized hydropower retrofitting of the Tendaho Dam offers a cost-effective and low-impact pathway for expanding renewable energy generation