TO STUDY THE ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION MECHANISM OF SUNDARIJAL HYDROPOWER PROJECT

1. INTRODUCTION :-

          Nepal is one of the Himalayan countries with a high hydropower potential. The water resources of Nepal are regarded as one of the principal opportunities for future economic development of the country. As mentioned in the country report in the first International Summit on “Sustainable use of water for energy”, some 225 billion m3 of surface water flows thorough Nepalese territory annually. This gives a specific runoff of about 0.12 million m3/km2/year, being about four times the world average. Nepal has more than 6,000 rivers and rivulets with a total length of about 45,000 km.

Major river system with their corresponding catchment area

          Hydroelectricity is the term referring to electricity generated by hydropower; the production of electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water. It is the most widely used form of renewable energy, The cost of hydroelectricity is relatively low, making it a competitive source of renewable electricity. Once a hydroelectric complex is constructed, the project produces no direct waste, and has a considerably lower output level of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO₂) than fossil fuel.

2. BACKGROUND :-

          Sundarijal Sub-catchment (15 Km2) is located in Sivapuri National Park at the north of Kathmandu Valley. The Bagmati River originates at an elevation of 2732m in Shivapuri National Park and then flows along Sundarijal Sub-catchment before entering into the plain valley area of the city. The river flowing along the sub-catchment has been used for hydroelectricity generation, drinking water supply to people living in Kathmandu City and irrigation in nearby fields. We visited two main interest points, namely, dual-purpose Sundarijal Dam and Sundarijal Water Treatment Plant.

         

Hydropower station in Sundarijal

         

          Sundarijal Dam (elevation: 1620m) was constructed in 1934 for the production of hydroelectricity by Sundarijal Hydropower Station (elevation: 1394m) which has an installed capacity of 0.64 Megawatts (MW) of electricity. In 2006, the average water discharge of the dam was 165 l/sec. The station management and distribution of electricity is carried out by Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). After electricity generation, the water coming through the dam is treated for use as a drinking water supply in Kathmandu City.

3. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY :-

    The objectives of the study are as follows,

    1. To know the mechanism of hydro-electricity production.

    2. To know about geographical situation of Sundarijal hydropower project.

    3. To know about advantages and disadvantages of hydropower project.

     4. To give suggestion for more effective and sustainable improvement of hydro power project.

4. SCOPE OF STUDY :-

         

          The scope of this study is limited to the know the mechanism of Sundarijal Hydropower project in Sundarijal V.D.C. and the related fields of this hydropower project.

          It is limited to the the discussion with administration of the hydropower project and related subject teachers.

5. METHODOLOGY :-

          This study has adopted the review of past studies related to the hydropower project at

Sundarijal. This is done by detailed field studies, field observation, key informant’s interviews, focused group discussion and direct conversation in the field with related subject teachers and colleagues. The field visit has been carried out in the project area of Sundarijal to conduct the above mention activities on 25^thJanuary  2014.

Observation of Sundarijal hydropower station

6. DATA PRESENTATION, INTERPRETATION AND ANALYSIS :-

Following data's are collected from the Sundarijal  hydropower project;

·    Main sources of water :-

          Nagmati stream, Kathmandu district,

          Bagmati stream, Nuwakot district Bagudwar

          Syalmati stream Kathmandu district, Sundarijal

·       Canal :-

          Nearly 300 meter long cemented canal from Nagmait stream.

          Nearly 1600 meter long normal canal from Syalmati stream.

·       Collection lake :-

          Collection pond is located in Bagmati stream at sundarijal V.D.C.              ward no.6

·       Penstock pipe :-

          Diameter :- 71 centimeter

          Thickness :- 10 millimeter

          Length :- 1700 meter

·       Power house is located at Sundarijal V.D.C. ward no.9

·       Gross head :- 750 feet

·       Design discharge :- 23.3 cusec

·       Turbine :- peloton

·       Configuration :- Horizontal

·       Capacity :- 320 kilowatt per turbine

·       No. of turbine :- 2

·       Total capacity :- 640 kilowatt

On the way to observe dam

         

          There are many ways to generate electricity in modern day. One of them is to use the gravitational force of falling water, which is also known as hydroelectricity. Hydroelectricity occurs in a dam, where the falling water is used to generate enough force to turn a turbine that is connected to an electricity generator. With this action, potential energy of water is transformed into mechanical energy and then into electrical energy. This is both an efficient and green way of generating electricity: it is not as hard as the geothermal electricity because people do not have to find a perfect area to generate it; and it is also not as polluting as the nuclear power plants are. Therefore, hydroelectricity is much greener than the nuclear power plants which generate electricity, and much easier to generate than the geothermal electricity.

         

          A dam is built where there is a natural source of water in a valley and it is used to hold the water and create pressure so that the water can produce more electrical power. The gravitational potential energy stored in the water is used to turn generators and create electricity. Electrical generators are turned by massive turbines, which are within tunnels in the dam wall—water flows through the tunnels with great pressure due to the great height, at which is kept in the dam. If there is a greater volume of water or there is a very large difference between the water level and where it flows out, then more power comes out of the water as it has greater potential energy.

          Like as above process the electricity production in Sundarijal hydro power project is running. There are two turbines each of 320 KW capacity are working properly. Therefore, total capacity of Sundarijal hydropower project is 640KW in any season of the year. The gross head of the hydropower is 750 feet. The penstock pipe used is 71 centimeter in diameter and 1700 meter in length . Sundarijal hydropower helps to produce electricity in Nepal and also helps to electricity supply.

7. FINDINGS :-

·         Hydroelectricity uses the energy of running water, without reducing its quantity, to produce electricity. Therefore, all hydroelectric developments, of small or large size, whether run of the river or of accumulated storage, fit the concept of renewable energy.

·         Hydroelectric enterprises that are developed and operated in a manner that is economically viable, environmentally sensible and socially responsible represent the best concept of sustainable development.

·         Energy generated by hydroelectric installations can be injected into the electricity system faster than that of any other energy source. The capacity of hydroelectric systems to reach maximum production from zero in a rapid and foreseeable manner makes them exceptionally appropriate for addressing alterations in the consumption and providing ancillary services to the electricity system, thus maintaining the balance between the electricity supply and demand.

• The hydroelectric life cycle produces very small amounts of greenhouse gases (GHG). In emitting less GHG than power plants driven by gas, coal or oil, hydroelectricity can help retard global warming.
• Water can be stored, waiting to be used in peak times.

• Hydropower plays a major role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions; hydroelectric power plants don’t release pollutants into the air. They very frequently substitute the generation from fossil fuels, thus reducing acid rain and smog. In addition to this, hydroelectric developments don’t generate toxic by-products.
• In some cases, inundation of land and wildlife habitat.
• In some cases, loss or modification of fish habitat.
• In some cases, changes in reservoir and stream water quality.
• In some cases, displacement of local populations.
• Building the dam is expensive and time taking.
• The dam will change the habitat and landscape upstream, as much more land will be submersed.
• The land below the dam is also affected as the flow of water is reduced.

8. CONCLUSION:-

          Electricity plays a vital role in the modern world. The development of science and technology has made our lives easy and comfortable. This would not have been possible without electricity. We use electricity for various domestic purposes. For example: refrigerator, fax, oven, heater, etc. Industries require machinery and other heavy tools to produce many manufactured goods. Electricity is a must to run these machinery and heavy tools. Similarly, means of communication cannot develop without electricity. We cannot even think of computer or television without electricity. Without the means of communication the pace of human development will be very slow. At present the whole world is suffering from global pollution. If electricity is used to operate the vehicles, the air pollution will be controlled.  Hydroelectricity is a very unique way of generating energy. It is one of the most used systems around the world. Also, it is a renewable energy source which is very helpful to our planet and it is something that will never end unlike natural gas and fossil fuels. Therefore, many of the countries and many more in the future will choose it over a lot of the other ways to generate electricity. All in all, it is a very cost efficient and green way to generate something that us human beings need in our daily lives.