Incorporating Landscape Dynamics in Small-Scale Hydropower Site Location Using a GIS and Spatial Analysis Tool: The Case of Bohol, Central Philippines

Imelida Torrefranca, Roland Emerito Otadoy and Alejandro Tongco
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Imelida Torrefranca: Graduate School of Engineering, University of San Carlos, Talamban, Cebu City 6000, Philippines
Roland Emerito Otadoy: Theoretical, Computational Sciences and Engineering Group, Department of Physics, University of San Carlos, Talamban, Cebu City 6000, Philippines
Alejandro Tongco: Graduate School of Engineering, University of San Carlos, Talamban, Cebu City 6000, Philippines

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 3, 1-31

Abstract: Hydropower depends on the elevation head and water flow of a river. However, other factors must be considered, such as the risk associated with surface processes and environmental factors. The study aims to analyze a landscape’s dynamics and locate potential sites for small-scale hydropower systems (<10 MW) using a geographic information system, the curve number method, and the TopoToolbox with a digital elevation model and available spatial datasets. Across Bohol Island in the central Philippines, the study found 94 potential sites with hydraulic heads ranging from 20–62.4 m, river discharges between 0.02 to 9.71 m 3 /s, and a total hydropower capacity of 13.595 MW. The river profile analysis classified the sites to five levels of risk to geo-hazards, with three-fourths of the sites being at ‘high’ to ‘very high’ risk levels while more than 50% of the total power can be generated in ‘low’ risk areas. Land-use and population constraints reduced the sites to 25 and the hydropower capacity by 60%. Although limited to the table assessment phase of hydropower development, the study showed the potential of small-scale hydropower systems in the study area, their spatial distribution, and the risk associated with each site. The study results provided data-limited resource managers’ and energy planners’ insights in targeting potential locations and minimizing field investigation costs and time.

Keywords: landscape dynamics; small-scale hydropower; GIS; TopoToolbox; CN method; geomorphic index (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: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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