Post on 10-Oct-2020
Development of Specifications for the Application of the UNFC to
Hydropower Resources
Dnieper Cruz
Supervisor: Professor Gioia Falcone
MSc thesis project, September 2018
Background
Diversification of portfolio
Increased investment in renewable energy R&D
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Water Management
Flood Control
Irrigation
Hydropower:
16% of world electricity
58% total renewable capacity
99% global electricity storage
“Protect the climate for present and future generations”
Aim
3
In-depth Literature Review
Define Source, Resource, and Product
Develop Hydropower Specifications
Case Studies to illustrate the application of UNFC
Introduction
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Classification by Type
Classification by Scale
Micro-Hydro <0.1 MW
Small Hydro >1 MW
Large Hydro >100 MW
Run-of-River Reservoir Storage Pumped-Storage
Hydropower Definitions
5
Source Product
Resource
Conversion from hydropower Source
Saleable in a market
Transmitted to end-users in off-grid projects
Renewability driven by hydrologic cycle
Depends on topology and geography
Cumulative quantity of electricity produced
Hydropower Specifications
6
Energy losses occur at various points along the distribution system.
Average annual loss of electricity through transmission systems is 5% in the U.S.
Reference Point
Project
Project Lifetime
Economic Limit
Design Limit
Environmental Limit
Source Product
Hydropower Specifications
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Social acceptance varies depending on scale and type of technology
Natural vs. Artificial projects
Cost-benefit analysis is a must
Environmental and Social Considerations
Indigenous Protection
(Source: The Guardian)
Sensitive indigenous areas
Resolved through negotiation and mediation
Fairer attribution of benefits
Fully informed participation of local tribes
Hydropower Specifications
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Resources Quantification Top Uncertainties:
Topology
Precipitation
Climatology
Hydrology
Q90 G1 LowQ50 G1+G2 MeanQ10 G1+G2+G3 High
Case Study – Kielder Water
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Capacity: 200 billion litres
UK’s first regional water grid
Kielder Hydro project completed in 1984
6 MW installed capacity
(Source: Richard Cross - thehighlands.com)
Classification Resources Quantity (GWh) NPV
E1.1; F1.1; G1 30.5 £161,914
E1.1; F1.1; G1+G2 125.1 £4,110,515
E1.1; F1.1; G1+G2+G3 317.2 £11,999,586
Project Location: Kielder National ParkType of Project: ReservoirData date: 1982 - Present
Case Study – Rusumo Falls
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Completion expected by 2020
80 MW installed capacity
Total cost $461 million
(Source: Miguel Rodriguez – Flickr)
Classification Resources Quantity (TWh) NPV Payback Years
E1.1; F1.2; G1 14.2 $276,885,648 5
E1.1; F1.2; G1+G2 23.6 $627,492,091 3
E1.1; F1.2; G1+G2+G3 38.7 $848,633,578 2
Project Location: Rusumo Falls, RwandaType of Project: Run-of-RiverData date: 1940 - Present
Conclusion
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UNFC suitable for hydropower resources classification
Help governments and companies to manage resources and develop policies
Hydropower risks better understood
Further development now required by the Renewable Energy Working Group
Dedicated Hydropower Sub-Group now established: volunteers welcome!
If interested, please contact Frank Denelle or Gioia Falcone
Poster accepted for presentation at All Energy conference in Glasgow, May 19