JUSTIFICATION OF HYDROPOWER POTENTIAL OF THE VOVCHA RIVER FOR CONSTRUCTION OF SMALL HPP IN THE SITE OF GAVRYLIVKA RESERVOIR

Abstract

The article presents the research results of the hydropower potential of the Vovcha River in the site of Gavrilivka Reservoir for construction of a small hydropower plant. During the research, statistical methods were used to analyze the homogeneity of long-term fluctuations of river flow. Estimation of parameters of analytical distribution curves (average long-term value Q, coefficient of variation СV, ratio of asymmetry coefficient to variation coefficient CS/CV) was performed by the maximum likelihood method. Determination of the estimated annual distribution of the flow in the site is carried out by the real year method. Methods for calculating the hydropower potential are based on the results of hydrological investigation. To achieve stated objective, the following tasks are solved: 1) the water resources of the Vovcha River in the Gavrilivka Reservoir were quantified; 2) the hydropower potential of the Gavrilivka Reservoir is estimated according to model years; 3) the value of technically achievable, guaranteed and ecologically justified hydropower potential is established; 4) technical and economic indicators of project practicability are assessed. The provision of HPP capacity has been determined both for the whole series of observations and for the distinctive model years. In particular, the provision capacity of N = 50 kW will amount on average 57% (208 days per year), and for the guaranteed component of N = 44 kW it will amount 62% (226 days per year). According to the research results, it is established that the optimal capacity of the hydropower plant is 50÷75 kW with a designed capacity utilization of 80÷70%, respectively. The approximate payback period will be 7-9 years with a 10% amortization rate, and accordingly a possible replacement of equipment in 10 years.