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A Simple Method to Assess Theoretical Hydropower Potential of a River

This paper presents a rapid method to assess hydropower potential of a river from remote-sensing data and mean, annual flow values. As a case study the Argeş River, Romania was chosen, along which already exists a cascade of 17 hydropower plants. Open source satellite data were processed under GIS environment (with the HEC-GeoHMS tool) to generate stream network. Argeş River was divided into 8 reaches. For each of these reaches an average discharge value was determined using hydrological data from existing gauging stations. Also, the length and gross head of the reaches were extracted from GIS delineated stream network. Specific theoretical linear hydropower potential was calculated and analysed in comparison with values of installed power in operating hydropower plant developments.

Author(s):

Daniela Elena GOGOASE NISTORAN    
University Politehnica of Bucharest, Department of Hydraulics, Hydraulic machines and Environmental engineering
Romania

Davide ABDELAL    
University Politehnica of Bucharest, Faculty of Power Engineering
Romania

Cristina Sorana IONESCU    
University Politehnica of Bucharest, Department of Hydraulics, Hydraulic machines and Environmental engineering
Romania

Ioana OPRIS    
University Politehnica of Bucharest, Department of Energy Generation and Use
Romania

Sorina COSTINAS    
University Politehnica of Bucharest, Department of Energy Generation and Use
Romania