Identification of Potential Locations for Run-of-River Hydropower Plants Using a GIS-Based Procedure

Vincenzo Sammartano, Lorena Liuzzo and Gabriele Freni
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Vincenzo Sammartano: Department of Civil, Environmental, Aerospace Engineering, and Materials, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
Lorena Liuzzo: Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, University of Enna, 94100 Enna, Italy
Gabriele Freni: Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, University of Enna, 94100 Enna, Italy

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 18, 1-20

Abstract: The increasing demand for renewable and sustainable energy sources has encouraged the development of small run-of-river plants. Preliminary studies are required to assess the technical and economic feasibility of such plants. In this context, the identification of optimal potential run-of-river sites has become a key issue. In this paper, an approach that is based on GIS tools coupled with a hydrological model has been applied to detect potential locations for a run-of-river plant. A great number of locations has been analyzed to identify those that could assure the achievement of different thresholds of potential power. The environmental and economic feasibility for small hydropower projects in these locations has been assessed and a multi-objective analysis has been carried out to highlight the most profitable configurations. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) has been calibrated to simulate runoff in the Taw at Umberleigh catchment (South West England). The results showed that, in the area of study, different locations could be selected as suitable for run-of-river plants.

Keywords: run-of-river; small hydropower; renewable energy; rainfall-runoff modelling; SWAT; GIS-based procedure (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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