Potential of the Lower Daugava for Siting Hydrokinetic Turbines / Daugavas Lejteces Enerģētiskais Potenciāls Hidrokinētisko Turbīnu Izmantošanai

Abstract

The article outlines the requirements and criteria for the hydrokinetic turbine site and determines the water flow characteristics based on which the energy potential of such a turbine is calculated for lower reaches of the River Daugava. The changes in the energy potential caused by fluctuations in the water density and flow rate are evaluated. Two investigated spans (total > 22 km) are split into ten smaller subregions with similar characteristics and comparatively evaluated regarding their suitability for electricity generation by hydrokinetic turbines.