expertise in hydropower - wra in feasibility and design studies for hydropower projects. ... padas...

EXPERTISE IN

HYDROPOWER

CAPABILITY STATEMENT

Water Resource

Associates

Water Resource Associates

Expertise in Hydropower

Company Profile

Water Resource Associates Ltd was formed in 1994 and provides specialist consultancy services, world‐wide. The Partners have up to 20 years’ experience in WRA and have previously worked for a range of organisations including the British Institute of Hydrology, firms of consulting engineers, the British water industry and international agencies including the World Meteorological Organisation. They have experience of working on problems in the water environment in over 120 countries across the full spectrum of arid to humid climates. In 2012, WRA became a limited liability partnership, WRA LLP.

The Partners and Associates operate from their own offices, using centralised communications and computing facilities. Common software and fast data exchange ensure that work is carried out efficiently and that a corporate identity and archiving system is maintained. This flexible working plan enables us to be responsive to client needs: there are no long chains of management and no expensive overheads. When necessary, support staff are recruited on contract and supervised directly by the Project Partner or Associate.

The Partners are personally more involved in hands‐on processing and analysis of data than is usual in the consultancy world. By combining extensive professional experience of project execution at senior level with high levels of computer competence (both in using a wide variety of commercial software and in developing WRA’s own software, the practice offers unrivalled efficiency in tackling problems in the water environment.

WRA’s mission statement includes three key components:

• Provide a world‐class specialised consulting service in hydrology, water resource evaluation, development and planning and in related topics either directly to a client or in collaboration with other companies or organizations.

• Carry out commissioned research into any aspect of hydrology and water resource development, particularly where such research will have a practical benefit.

• Develop state‐of‐the‐art hydrological software to meet the needs of water resources and related activities.

This Capability Statement is one of a series of statements available which outline the professional consultancy services offered by WRA.


WRA Skills for Hydropower Schemes

The following key aspects of the WRA skill‐set can be brought to bear in feasibility and design studies for hydropower projects.


• HYSIM Hydrological modelling linked to GIS

• TRMM global rainfall database: 3hr‐24hr gridded data and IDFs for the period, 1998‐2016

• ISIS, HECRAS, MIKE Riverine and estuarine hydraulic modelling for flood operating levels

• AQUATOR Water resource systems modelling to plan and optimise multi‐purpose river basin management and multiple power schemes on the same river system

• Catchment erosion and sediment modelling to determine dead storage and working life of reservoirs and power schemes

• Field survey services through collaboration with GeoIndo include hydrometric monitoring, LiDAR, ground topographic survey and bathymetric survey

• Design of weirs, dams and hydraulic structures, supervision, commissioning and safety inspections

• Design and operation of turbines for optimizing power generation

• Risk and Uncertainty analysis

Although WRA’s focus is primarily on hydrology and feasibility,

WRA has carried out several projects from initial strategy and

concept through design and construction supervision to

commissioning. This gives WRA’s hydrologists a unique insight into

the full spectrum of activities and problems which can affect

hydropower schemes at all scales.

Simulated and Recorded Flows - Sg Jelam

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Padas at KemabongSegama at LimkabongKalabakan 1987-1996Wariu at Bridge2Tuaran at RanapTuaran at TamparuliLiw agu at BedukanLiw agu at MarangkinKagibangan at Tampias

Flow Duration


Project Experience

Sabah Small Hydro Detailed Hydrological Study, Sabah, Malaysia 2014‐2015 [Nova Beta (M) Energy Sdn Bhd, Warisan Harta (Sabah) Sdn Bhd]


Hydrological analysis of rivers through application of GIS and catchment models across the State of Sabah to determine the potential yield for power generation and flood characteristics of the intake sites.

The work involved analysis of rainfall, climatological and river gauging data, in conjunction with mapping of the river catchments, in order to provide simulated daily river discharge and estimated peak flood discharge at the proposed hydropower sites. The project aims to develop 432 MW of electricity from 17 small hydroelectric schemes at 11 sites across the State of Sabah. The HEP sites are located in six different river basins, with eight in the west and three in eastern Sabah, and at certain locations, power generation would be duplicated on the same reach of river.

The study included hydrological risk and uncertainty analysis of river discharge at the proposed sites.

Pelagus hydropower scheme hydrological study, Sarawak, Malaysia 2012‐2013 [NorPower / Sarawak Energy Bhd]

Hydrological analysis and catchment modelling for a proposed hydropower dam on the Rajang River at Pelagus Rapids in central Sarawak.

The largest dam in SE Asia was completed in 2012 at Bakun for the production of hydropower on the Rajang River. Other dams form part of the overall water resources development project on tributaries and further downstream of Bakun. This WRA commission provided the hydrology for the Inception and Concept phases of a proposed dam at the Pelagus Rapids downstream of Belaga.

Belaga hydropower scheme hydrological study, Sarawak, Malaysia 2015‐2016 [NorPower / Sarawak Energy Bhd]

Hydrological analysis, catchment erosion modelling and reservoir sedimentation studies for a proposed hydropower dam on the Belaga River at Giam Pasang Rapids in central Sarawak.

The catchment has widespread forest harvesting with 75% logged and 20% clear‐felled for oil palm plantation. Following HYSIM forecasting of flows for the period 1965‐2015, the study included GIS mapping linked to GLEAMS modeling of catchment erosion, in order to predict long‐term reservoir sedimentation.

The sediment model was calibrated using river data for 1985‐86 and Landsat 4‐5 Thematic imagery, then simulated for future land‐use conditions. Rates of erosion were shown to vary from 16.5 to 34.7 Mt/yr, which implied that the proposed dead storage would become full after a period of 23 to 34 years, so soil loss mitigation measures would be introduced in the catchment.

Ulu Tuaran Hydro‐scheme viewed from Kg Sungoi, Western Sabah

Navigating the Pelagus Rapids, Batang Rajang, Sarawak

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Catchment erosion modelling, Belaga River, Sarawak

Giam Pasang Rapids, Belaga River, Sarawak


Ogan River Study for Batu Raja Power Station, Sumatra, Indonesia 2014


[Malakoff‐Toyota‐Hanson Energy]

Hydrology, water quality review and water supply feasibility study to use Ogan River water for cooling purposes in proposed new head‐of‐mine power station north of the town of Batu Raja.

The field survey work including topographic survey, hydrometry and water quality analysis was carried out by GeoIndo.

Hydrological studies in support of hydropower development in Mozambique 2007‐2008 [Mozambique Government, Norconsult, Nippon Koiei, Atkins]

WRA were involved in a number of studies throughout Mozambique aimed at increasing hydro‐electric power generation. One project focused on the expansion of power generation at Cahorra Bassa dam on the River Zambezi.

Another study was focused on the Rio Revue and the Chicamba power plant, where multiple use simulation was required to take into account the local paper industry.

Hydrological studies in support of hydropower development in Angola 2007‐2009 [Norconsult]

WRA has been supporting a number of hydropower projects in Angola at Nhangue on the Cuanza River upstream of Cambambe Dam, and on the Queve River, aiming to provide power for the developing aluminium industry. The studies included development of hydrological data for catchment modelling, and providing hydrological advice and guidance.

In order to extend short periods of stream flow records observed on two major river basins in Angola, hydrological models were calibrated and used to simulate much longer records of stream flow with the same characteristics. The power generating potential was then estimated from the flow duration characteristics of the resulting data‐sets.

Temburong Transfer Scheme, Negara Brunei Darusalam 2004

[MWH for Jabatan Kerja Raya, Negara Brunei Darusalam]

Review and Hydrological Analysis of potential dam sites in Temburong District for meeting public water supply requirements of 735 Mld by the year 2050.

Hydrological study was carried out to assess the options and feasibility for construction of a new dam in the Temburong District of Brunei. The study comprised the review of the yield for various reservoir sizes and sites on the Batu Apoi and Temburong rivers in Eastern Brunei. This ambitious scheme will involve the transfer of water from the wetter and densely‐forested part of Brunei, across Brunei Bay to centres of population in the Brunei‐Muara District. The study also investigated the increasing severity of drought in Borneo and Brunei over the past 30 years, using 1936‐2003 records.

River Ogan current meter gauging

Chicamba Dam on the Revue River in central Mozambique

Cambambe Dam in flood on the Cuanza River, Angola

Brunei Field reconnaissance by helicopter, setting up rain‐gauges


Upper Tama Koshi Hydroelectric Project, Nepal


2004

[Nepal Electricity Authority, NORAD‐ NORCONSULT]

Hydrological studies of yield and flood frequency were carried out for run‐of‐river hydroelectric power feasibility studies.

Hydrological studies for the proposed hydropower scheme, located in the Dolakha district of central Nepal. Field reconnaissance was carried out following a two‐day trek from the nearest road‐head at Singati Bajar to reach the project site, located close to the northern border with Tibet. The scheme will harness the Upper Tama Koshi river, which has a mean annual flow of 67 m3/s at the headworks, by means of a 7 km long head race tunnel, a 790 m fall of water through the penstock, an underground power house containing several Pelton wheel turbines, and a tailrace of 3 km. This high head scheme has the potential to produce 350 MW of power, to increase the current supply to Kathmandu and other industrial towns of Nepal.

Upper Karnali HEP Project Review, Nepal 2014 –2015 [GMR Ltd, India]

Review of the hydrology section of Detailed Project Report, for proposed 900 MW hydropower scheme in the far west of Nepal.

The water resources estimates were based on a 45 year record of daily flows which were tested and found to be consistent, although the last few years possessed lower flows than the average. Some improvements to the flood estimates were recommended, including an increase to the PMF.

The threat from breaches of upstream glacial lakes was found to be low, with no such lakes in the upstream catchment identified in Nepal, and the flood peaks from the 11 lakes identified in Tibet being sufficiently attenuated along the 260km of downstream river channel, to pose little threat.

Water Resources Management Plan and Power Systems Master Plan, Bhutan 2001 ‐ 2004 [Dept of Power, Ministry of Trade & Industry, NORAD‐Norconsult]

An updated and more comprehensive assessment of the country’s water resources development priorities was carried out, based on a decade’s collection of higher quality hydro‐meteorological and sediment data.

The original Power Systems Master Plan, prepared for Bhutan in 1990‐93, identified the most promising 25 sites for future major hydropower schemes. During this 3 year period a network of 15 primary river gauging stations was constructed, and Hydata database software was installed for storing and processing the hydrological field data collected.

The analysis of new data provided basis for developing a new Water Resources Management Plan which included all the power generating requirements.

Site of Proposed Intake Dam in a gorge on the Tama Koshi River

Proposed Headrace Inlet Location for Upper Karnali Scheme

Nepal Project Locations

Tala Hydropower dam built in 2005, one of the planned sites


Mangdechuu Hydroelectric Project, Trongsa, Bhutan 2001‐2002

[NORAD (Norwegian Aid), NORCONSULT].

Hydrological studies of yield and probable maximum flood for run‐of‐river hydroelectric scheme

The scope included hydrological analyses undertaken for a major hydropower design study, including revision of rating curves, flow duration curves, low flow frequency, flood estimates at both the intake headworks and tailrace outlet, and examination of compensation flows in the river stretch downstream of the intake.


Mangdechu is one of 4 schemes located in central Bhutan selected from the Hydropower Master Plan, which identified the most promising 25 potential sites for large hydropower schemes.

The 720 MW scheme started construction in 2012 for operation in 2017.

Water Release and Abstraction Policy for the Lake Victoria Basin 2008‐2011 [Lake Victoria Basin Commission, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania]

Development of hydrologically‐based Rules for operating the hydro‐electric generating facilities at the Lake Victoria outlet in order to safeguard water level for all users.

The study resulted from concern over falling lake levels and the sustainability of current rates of power production. This was a joint study with Centre for Ecology and Hydrology [CEH], Wallingford, and the Universities of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) Masinde Muliro (Kenya) and Makerere (Uganda).

Lake Victoria has a surface area of 68,000 km2, making it Africa’s largest lake, and the largest tropical lake in the world. The lake lies within an elevated plateau in the western part of Africa's Great Rift Valley. The only outflow is at Jinja, where Nalubaale and Kiira Power Stations are located. The water originally drained over a natural rock bar at Ripon Falls; however, this was drowned by

construction of Nalubaale dam and hydropower station [formerly known as Owen Falls] in 1952. At that time, British colonial engineers lowered the sill by blasting, and established an "Agreed Curve" which mimicked the old natural rate of outflow. This allows the outflows to vary between 300 and 1,700 cubic meters per second, depending on lake level.



WRA Project Locations

GEOINDO

CONSER

WRA

WRA

NORCONSULT

AQUATRES

H2EA

Other WRA Projects

Partners' other experience

KEY

Offices

WRA Hydropower Projects

No work carried out

Contact

For more information and to discuss your project requirements, please contact one of the Partners:

Partners Frank A K Farquharson [email protected] Flood hydrology, water resources

Paul A C Holmes [email protected] Groundwater development, water resource planning

Dr A Nick Mandeville [email protected] Foreign hydrological services, RIS author

Ron E Manley [email protected] Engineering hydrology, HYSIM author, climate change

Dr Harvey J E Rodda [email protected] G IS applications, flood risk and insurance

Prof Paul G Whitehead [email protected] Water quality modelling, INCA author

General enquiries: [email protected]

PO BOX 838, Wallingford, Oxon OX10 9XA Tel +44 (0) 1491 838190

WRA Websites www.watres.com www.climatedata.info

Company Registered in England Number OC379769 2 West Street, Henley‐on‐Thames, Oxon RG9 2DU United Kingdom

expertise in hydropower - wra in feasibility and design studies for hydropower projects. ... padas...

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