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Methodology for the large-scale assessment of small hydroelectric potential: Application to the Province of New Brunswick (Canada)

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  • Cyr, Jean-François
  • Landry, Mathieu
  • Gagnon, Yves

Abstract

The mapping of the small hydropower (SHP) resource over a given territory is indispensable to identify suitable sites for the development of SHP renewable energy projects. In this study, a straightforward method to map the SHP potential over a large territory is presented. The methodology uses a synthetic hydro network (SHN) created from digital elevation models (DEM) to ensure precise hydro head estimations. From the SHN, hydro heads are calculated by subtracting the minimum from the maximum elevation of synthetic stream segments. Subsequently, stream segments with low hydro heads over a specified maximum distance are removed. Finally, the method uses regional regression models to estimate the annual baseflow for all drainage areas in the study area. The technical SHP potential can then be estimated as a function of the hydro head and maximum penstock length. An application of the method is made to the province of New Brunswick, Canada, where SHP maps have been developed to promote the development of the SHP energy sector in the province. In terms of the SHP opportunity, it is shown that the province of New Brunswick (71,450km2) has a good SHP resource. Using a representative hydro head (10m) and penstock length (3000m) for the region, 696 potential sites have been identified over the territory. Results show that the technical SHP potential for New Brunswick is 368MW for the conventional hydroelectric reservoir SHP configuration, while for the run-of-river SHP configuration, the technical SHP potential is 58MW.

Suggested Citation

  • Cyr, Jean-François & Landry, Mathieu & Gagnon, Yves, 2011. "Methodology for the large-scale assessment of small hydroelectric potential: Application to the Province of New Brunswick (Canada)," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(11), pages 2940-2950.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:36:y:2011:i:11:p:2940-2950
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2011.04.003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. S. Mishra & Vijay Singh & J. Sansalone & V. Aravamuthan, 2003. "A Modified SCS-CN Method: Characterization and Testing," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 17(1), pages 37-68, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Anita Kwartnik-Pruc & Aneta Mączyńska, 2022. "Assessing Validity of Employing Surveying Methods to Capture Data on Topography to Determine Hydrological and Topographic Parameters Essential for Selecting Locations for the Construction of Small Hyd," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-41, February.
    2. Marianna Rotilio & Chiara Marchionni & Pierluigi De Berardinis, 2017. "The Small-Scale Hydropower Plants in Sites of Environmental Value: An Italian Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-15, November.
    3. Palomino Cuya, Daly Grace & Brandimarte, Luigia & Popescu, Ioana & Alterach, Julio & Peviani, Maximo, 2013. "A GIS-based assessment of maximum potential hydropower production in La Plata basin under global changes," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 103-114.
    4. Ioannidou, Christina & O’Hanley, Jesse R., 2018. "Eco-friendly location of small hydropower," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 264(3), pages 907-918.
    5. de Souza, Zulcy & Tiago Filho, Geraldo Lúcio & Barros, Regina Mambeli & Silva dos Santos, Ivan Felipe & da Silva, Fernando das Graças Braga & Prado Leite, Marcelo Daige & Prudente, Érica Patricia, 2017. "The limit of sequential exploitation of a river’s hydraulic potential," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 68(P1), pages 272-285.
    6. Alexandros Korkovelos & Dimitrios Mentis & Shahid Hussain Siyal & Christopher Arderne & Holger Rogner & Morgan Bazilian & Mark Howells & Hylke Beck & Ad De Roo, 2018. "A Geospatial Assessment of Small-Scale Hydropower Potential in Sub-Saharan Africa," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-21, November.
    7. Vincenzo Sammartano & Lorena Liuzzo & Gabriele Freni, 2019. "Identification of Potential Locations for Run-of-River Hydropower Plants Using a GIS-Based Procedure," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-20, September.
    8. Bracken, L.J. & Bulkeley, H.A. & Maynard, C.M., 2014. "Micro-hydro power in the UK: The role of communities in an emerging energy resource," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 92-101.
    9. Li, Mingxu & He, Nianpeng, 2022. "Carbon intensity of global existing and future hydropower reservoirs," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).

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