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1.1 Introduction …
Hydropower
Engineering
By
Assoc. Prof. Raghu Nath Prajapati, PhD What is hydropower ?
Nepal Engineering College Hydropower or hydroelectricity refers to the conversion of hydraulic
energy from flowing water into electricity. It is considered a renewable
energy source because the water cycle is constantly renewed by the sun
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Unit-1 : Introduction Video clip\production.mp4
1.1 Introduction … 1.1 Introduction …
Here,
" $"% % $%%
Gravitational potential energy of hydropower, = ∆ + + '" = + + '% + ℎ(
2 2
Potential power available , = ℎ ) , = %= ℎ ! =0
"
Power available at turbine, = ℎ $" = ℎ$ , $ !
Where,
,--
= Then, %.
= '" − '% − ℎ( = ∆ℎ
=
$% = 2 ∆ℎ
= . .
= ℎ Now, the potential energy, = ∆ℎ = 01 ∆ℎ
ℎ=ℎ ! 3 And potential power, =
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=0
4
∆ℎ = ∆ℎ 4
1.1 Introduction … 1.1 Introduction …
By converting potential energy into kinetic energy
Consider unit mass of water ‘m’ is flowing in the river from higher elevation to lower.
Let ‘h’ be the difference in elevation between two points. Then, potential energy possessed by By converting potential energy into pressure energy
the water by virtual of its position is ‘mgh’ Similarly in some cases, potential energy is converted in to the useful
If the flow is transported by some pipe conduits, the potential energy could be converted into
kinetic energy. positive pressure energy and remaining kinetic energy could also be
Kinetic energy =
" "
m v2 = ρ V v % utilized by converting into the negative pressure energy below the
% %
Where, v = velocity at the exit of the conduit (v = 2gh )
turbine.(please refer Bernoulli’s Equation at draft tube mouth and its
ρ = mass density of water outlet.)
V = volume of water T∗V W∗X∗Y∗Z H[F
D
E F G-
Hydropower available = Pressure energy/time = = = =
:;<=>;? =<=@AB "HF Q > >
Hydropower available = =- = 2gh = γQh Watt or [ ] \
>;C=
Where, γ = specific weight of liquid in N/m3
> %A > R
γQh Watt or [ ]
]
Q = rate of flow in m3/s Thus, theoretical power available in hydropower plant is
h = available head in m = ∗ℎ∗
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1.1 Introduction … 1.1 Introduction …
Type of power/energy:
Conventional sources of energy
Those sources of energy that have been used from the time immemorial are called
conventional sources. Such as:
Thermal power
Nuclear power
But, Actual power generation is Hydro power
= ∗ ∗ℎ∗
Where, = $ = ^ ∗ . ∗ _ Non-conventional sources of energy
^ = $ Non-conventional sources of energy those sources of energy that have been identified
. = in the recent past and are still in the process of identification are called non-
_ = `! conventional sources.
Some of them are listed below,
Tidal power
Solar power
Wind power
Geothermal power
Why hydropower is important energy source in compare to other energy/power
sources in Nepal? 8
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World First Hydropower ? 1.2 Hydropower development … 1.2 Hydropower development …
The first hydropower development or Nepal First Hydropower ?
installation in the world was in 1882 and it is
in Fox River in Appleton, Wisconsin of USA. The
capacity of the first hydropower plant was only
12.5 kW.
First Hydropower in Asia ?
The first hydropower development or
installation in Asia/India was in 1887 in
Darjeling. The capacity of the Indian
hydropower project was of 130 kW.
Hydel Powerhouse of 500 kW capacities is the first powerhouse installed in Nepal
in 1911. The Pharping hydropower station was developed with the technical and
financial aid of British Government in 1911 (BS 1968 Jestha 9 completed
date).The power house with the installed capacity of 500 kW was running
successfully till 1981 but after then, the water used for the plant was diverted for
drinking purpose and the plant was shut down. Even now, the plant can be
restarted if the supply of water is made possible (NEA, 2003).
1.2 Hydropower development … 1.2 Hydropower development …
Installed Average Commission Classification based on installed capacity
S.N. Name of power Capacity annual and operation Investor Cost per kW According to E. Mosonyi
Midget hydropower plant ≤ 100 kW
project (MW) Energy Year
Low capacity hydropower plant 101 – 1000 kW
(GWh)
Medium capacity hydropower plant 1001 – 10000 kW
A Hydro Electricity
High capacity hydropower plant 10001 – 50000 kW
1 Pharping 0.5 3.3 1911 Nepal/British RS 1426.75
2 Sundarijal 0.6 4.8 1936 Nepal Based on capacity by Dandekar and Sharma
3 Panauti 2.4 7.0 1965 Russia Micro hydropower plant < 5 MW
4 Pokhara Phewa 1.0 8.5 1967 India Medium capacity hydropower plant 5 – 100 MW
5 Trishuli 21.0 114.5 1968 India US$1296.30 High capacity hydropower plant 101 – 1000 MW
6 Sunkosi 10.0 70.0 1973 China US$1093.70 Super capacity hydropower plant > 1000 MW
7 Tinau 1.0 10.2 1974 BPC
8 Gandak 15.0 48.0 1979 India US$1300.00 Based on Capacity in Nepal
Micro hydropower plant ≤ 100 kW
9 Kulekhani-1 60.0 201.0 1982 WB and others US$1950.00
Mini hydropower plant 101 – 1000 kW
10 Devighat 14.1 114.0 1983 India US$2781.69
Small hydropower plant 1001 – 10000 kW
11 Seti 1.5 1.8 1985 China
Medium capacity hydropower plant 10001 – 50000 kW
12 Kulekhani-I I 32.0 95.0 1986 Japan US$1937.50 Large capacity hydropower plant >50000 kW
13 Marshyangdi 69.0 462.0 1989 German/WB US$3333.33 12
So on…
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1.2 Hydropower development … 1.3 Status of Hydro Power Potential…
Classification based on head
Based on head by E. Mosonyi Hydropower potential of the world
Low head plant H <15 m
Medium head plant H = 15 – 50 m The world’s total technical feasible hydro potential is estimated at
High head plant H > 50 m 14370 TWh/year, of which about 8082 TWh/year is currently
considered economically feasible for development. About 700 GW (or
Based on head by Dandekar and Sharma about 2600 TWh/year) is already in operation. Most of the remaining
Low head plant H <15 m potential is in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Medium head plant H = 15 – 70 m
High head plant H = 71 – 250 m
Very high head plant H > 250 m
Hydropower potential of Nepal
Classification based on storage
Nepal’s theoretical hydropower potential of 83 GW is about 1.5% of
Run of river plant
Peaking run of river plant world’s total hydropower potential of 5610 GW in comparison with
Storage plant the Nepal’s land (147181 km2) of only 0.11% of the world total
Pump storage plant (Shrestha H.M., 1985).It shows that hydropower potential per unit
Classification based on function land area in Nepal is about 13 times higher than that of the Asia
Base load plant
average.
Peak load plant 13 14
1.3 Status of Hydro… 1.4 Introduction to large …
World Largest Hydropower Plant
Dr. Hari Man Shrestha
Theoretical potential ≈ 83000 MW
Technically viable ≈ 44000 MW
Economically viable ≈ 42000 MW
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1.4 Introduction to large …
Largest Hydropower Plant in Nepal 1.4 Hydropower Development Policy…
..\..\..\Hydropower\Video clip\Top 10 Largest Hydroelectric Power Stations In The World.mp4
..\..\..\Hydropower\Video clip\-नेपालको १० सबै भ दा ठु लो जल ब धुत आयोजनाह Hydropower in
nepal.mp4-.mp4
..\..\..\Hydropower\Video clip\नेपालमा ब दै गरेका जला ब धुत आयोजनाह Hydropower Projects In
Nepal.mp4-.mp4
Government policy related to hydropower development:
The latest hydropower development policy was promulgated in 2001 A.D.
(2058 B.S.) The objectives of this policy were:
To generate electricity at low cost by utilizing the water resources available
in the country.
To extend reliable and qualitative electric service throughout the nation at
reasonable price.
To tie-up electrification with the economic activities.
To render support to the development of rural economy by extending the
rural electrification
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1.4 Hydropower Development Policy… 1.4 Hydropower Development Policy…
Environmental provisions
Provision of water rights
Provision of investment in production, transmission and Hydropower Development Policy, 1992 (2049)
distribution Background: At that time, Nepal’s installed capacity was only about 278
MW (233 MW hydropower, 45 MW diesel). Demand
Project handover arrangement (BOOT-Build Own Operate Transfer) projections showed an urgent need for expansion.
Power purchase agreement (PPA)
Visa grant provision Hydropower Development Policy, 2001 (2058)
Licensing arrangement & Royalty Background: Recognized Nepal’s huge potential (around 83,000 MW
Rural electrification (Exemption of Royalty for first 15 years) theoretical, about 42,000 MW techno-economically feasible). The
Institutional provision (Regulating body, study and promoting 1992 policy encouraged private involvement but had weaknesses.
Therefore, an updated, more liberal, and transparent policy was
body, research body)
introduced.
Water resource act 2049 is the umbrella act that governs the legal
provisions for water resource utilizations and projects development.
Environmental protection act 1992, Self governance act 1999 and
Foreign investment act 1992 are the other legal provisions that
indirectly affect on hydropower project development. 19 20
1.5 Nepal Hydropower Guideline… 1.5 Nepal Hydropower Guideline…
Nepal Hydropower Guidelines Scope: Applies to different types of projects based on:
Capacity: (1–10 MW, 10–50 MW, 50–100 MW, >100 MW).
Guidelines for Study of Hydropower Projects, 2018 Head: Low (<50 m), Medium (50–300 m), High (>300 m).
Background: First issued in 2003, updated in 2018 by the Scheme: Run-of-River (RoR), Peaking RoR (PRoR), Storage.
Department of Electricity Development (DoED) to Special Types: Underground projects, export-oriented, captive, cascade,
standardize studies and ensure quality. inter-basin diversion.
Purpose: Study Requirements Include:
Provide uniform criteria for reconnaissance, pre-feasibility, feasibility, and Topographical survey & mapping.
detailed design studies. Hydrological & sediment studies.
Ensure studies meet technical, environmental, and financial standards Geological & geotechnical investigation.
required for licensing and bankability. Construction materials survey.
Seismic study.
Objectives: Project layout & optimization.
Standardize investigation depth (topographic, hydrological, sediment, Energy computation & benefit assessment.
geological, seismic, environmental, etc.). Cost estimation, project evaluation (financial, economic).
Clarify requirements at each stage of study. Environmental & social studies (EIA/IEE, resettlement).
Assist DoED in evaluating study reports. Risk/disaster analysis.
Minimize delays and uncertainty in licensing. Report formatting and standardization.
Implementation: DoED uses these guidelines to check project documents during
21 survey and generation licensing, ensuring transparency, uniformity, and 22
reliability.
1.6 Cross-Border Power Trade … 1.7 Stakeholders in Hydropower Development
Major Stakeholders in Hydropower Development Nepal
…
In 2022–23, exports reached about 452 MW. The Dhalkebar–Muzaffarpur
400 kV transmission line has become the backbone of Nepal–India power Governmental bodies:
trade, while other 132 kV and 220 kV lines also exist. Future projects Ministry of Energy (MoEn)
include the Butwal–Gorakhpur 400 kV and Dhalkebar–Sitamarhi 400 kV MoEn issues rules, regulations and acts related to power sector development including
hydropower development and is responsible for its implementation.
transmission lines.
Water and Energy Commission Secretariat (WECS)
Nepal also has opportunities to export electricity to Bangladesh through WECS was established by the government in 1975 AD with the objective of
Indian territory under the BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal) developing water and energy resource in an integrated and accelerated manner.
framework, with initial agreements targeting 500 MW of export. While
power trade with China is limited due to geographical challenges of the Electricity tariff fixation commission (ETFC)
Himalayas, there remains long-term potential for grid interconnections ETFC, established under the Electricity Act, 1992, is a tariff regulatory body set up
with Tibet. to review and approve tariff filings by NEA and other licensed entities.
However, challenges such as political instability, inadequate transmission Department of Electricity Development (DoED)
DoED was established in 2050 B.S. The main aim of this institution is to develop and
infrastructure, water-sharing sensitivities with India, and financing
promote electricity sector and to improve financial effectiveness of this sector at the
limitations must be carefully addressed for this vision to be realized. 24
23 national level by attracting private sector investment.
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1.7 Stakeholders in Hydropower Development
Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) …
NEA was established in 2042 B.S. The main objective on NEA is to generate, transmit
and distribute adequate, reliable and affordable power by planning, constructing,
operating and maintaining all generation, transmissions and distribution facilities in
Nepal’s power system both interconnected and isolated.
Private sectors
Independent Power Producers Association Nepal (IPPAN)
Butwal power company (BPC), Himal power limited (HPL), Bhotekoshi power company
(BKPC), Hydro solutions, Sanima hydropower, National hydropower companies (NHPC)
etc are some examples of independent producers that have already started generation.
Nepal Micro Hydro Development Association (NMHDA)
International institutions
World Bank
Thank You
Asian development bank (ADB)
JICA
US-AID 26
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