Hydrologic Estimation for Sizing of Small Hydropower Generation Facilities

摘要

Small hydropower design decisions are usually made in the absence of extensive hydrometeorological records. A method is proposed for the sizing of small hydropower facilities which is based on the estimated flow duration curve, and its uncertainty. The flow duration curve is derived using an estimate of the mean annual runoff based on a climatalogical water balance with occasional instantaneous low flow measurements. This initial estimate can subsequently be augmented using stream gauge observations, and information transfer from a long term stream gauge record. The hydropower generation facility sizing is based on the estimated flow duration curve, and its estimated uncertainty.