A Study on the Optimum Design Flowrate for Tunnel-Type Small Hydro Power Plants

This study represents the methodology for feasibility analysis of small hydro power SHP plant. Cumulative density function of Weibull distribution and Thiessen method were adopted to decide flow duration curve at SHP candidate site. The perfomance prediction model and construction cost estimation model for tunnel-type SHP plant were developed. Eight tunnel -type SHP candidate sites existing on Han-river were selected and surveyed for actual site reconnaissance. The performance characteristics and economical feasibility for these sites were analyzed by using developed models. As a result, it was found that the optimum design flowrate with the lowest unit generation cost for tunel-type SHP candidate site were the flowrate concerming with between 20% and 30% of time ratio on the flow duration curve. Additionally, primary design specifications such as design flowrate, effective head, capacity, annual averageload factor, annual electricity production were estimated and discussed for eight surveyed SHP candidate sites.