Presented in Partial Fulfillment for the Degree of Master of Science in Engineering Geology
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Date
2016-06
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Addis Ababa Universty
Abstract
The present study area is located in Rift Valley drainage basin, in the central part of the country.
Meki and Kater drainage Sub-basins of Lake Zeway have been identified for the present study.
The main objective of the present study was to identify potential Small Hydropower sites in
the study area and to carry out ground verification with engineering geological appraisal, at
pre-feasibility level, for selected sites.
In total 49 potential SHP sites has been identified during the present study. Out of these, 19
sites fall within Meki sub-basin and 30 in Kater sub-basin. Most of these identified sites are
concentrated along the margin of the sub-basins. For the potential sites the 10 daily observed
discharge data has been projected from adjacent gauged stations by percent area ratio method
for those which demonstrate similar catchment characteristic, based on statistical regression
analysis. Initial estimation of the power potential of 49 SHP sites has been computed for 75%
dependable discharge and taking turbine efficiency to be 90% and efficiency of the generator
as 95%. The head losses caused by the frictions and bends in the penstock have been taken
equal to 10% of the gross hydraulic head. Thus, the total power potential, as estimated for 49
identified sites for which discharge data was available, comes out to be around 17 MW. Thus,
these 49 potential SHP sites can be ground verified and be taken up for detailed Engineering
Geological Appraisal. However, for the present study, with the limitation of resources, time
and financial constraints it was not possible to undertake ground verification and detailed
engineering geological appraisal of all 49 SHP sites. Therefore, a sincere effort has been made
to select 3 potential SHP site namely; Rufael, Weldia and Lebu to undertake ground verification
and engineering geological appraisal, at prefeasibility level. These sites were ground verified
for the availability of the head, discharge, the possible layout and turbine selection. Further,
engineering geological appraisal of these sites has also been carried out at prefeasibility level.
Finally based on the results and finding of the present study, certain recommendations has been
made.
Key words: Small Hydropower (SHP), Site Identification, Power potential Engineering
Geological Appraisal
Description
Keywords
Small Hydropower (SHP), Site Identification, Power potential Engineering Geological Appraisal