Water availability analysis and estimation of optimal power generation for a fixed head multi-reservoir hydropower plant

Abstract

Water availability analysis and optimal power generation in a hydropower plant is studied in this chapter. As a case study, the monthly rainfall data in Chuzachen, available annual daily discharges at Rangili and Rangpo intakes, and GPS survey result of catchments area of 99-MW Chuzachen Hydroelectric power project in the East District of Sikkim have been considered. Numerous consideration factors exist when building hydropower plants, each has been measured when discussing this renewable energy source. Availability of water in the project site is one of the most important factors when building a hydropower plant. Thus, it is important to study about the availability of water in the whole year for power generation as well as the optimal power generation period. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.