Development of Specifications for the Application of the UNFC to

Hydropower Resources

Dnieper Cruz

Supervisor: Professor Gioia Falcone

MSc thesis project, September 2018

Background

Diversification of portfolio

Increased investment in renewable energy R&D

2

Water Management

Flood Control

Irrigation

Hydropower:

16% of world electricity

58% total renewable capacity

99% global electricity storage

“Protect the climate for present and future generations”

Aim

3

In-depth Literature Review

Define Source, Resource, and Product

Develop Hydropower Specifications

Case Studies to illustrate the application of UNFC

Introduction

4

Classification by Type

Classification by Scale

Micro-Hydro <0.1 MW

Small Hydro >1 MW

Large Hydro >100 MW

Run-of-River Reservoir Storage Pumped-Storage

Hydropower Definitions

5

Source Product

Resource

Conversion from hydropower Source

Saleable in a market

Transmitted to end-users in off-grid projects

Renewability driven by hydrologic cycle

Depends on topology and geography

Cumulative quantity of electricity produced

Hydropower Specifications

6

Energy losses occur at various points along the distribution system.

Average annual loss of electricity through transmission systems is 5% in the U.S.

Reference Point

Project

Project Lifetime

Economic Limit

Design Limit

Environmental Limit

Source Product

Hydropower Specifications

7

Social acceptance varies depending on scale and type of technology

Natural vs. Artificial projects

Cost-benefit analysis is a must

Environmental and Social Considerations

Indigenous Protection

(Source: The Guardian)

Sensitive indigenous areas

Resolved through negotiation and mediation

Fairer attribution of benefits

Fully informed participation of local tribes

Hydropower Specifications

8

Resources Quantification Top Uncertainties:

Topology

Precipitation

Climatology

Hydrology

Q90 G1 LowQ50 G1+G2 MeanQ10 G1+G2+G3 High

Case Study – Kielder Water

9

Capacity: 200 billion litres

UK’s first regional water grid

Kielder Hydro project completed in 1984

6 MW installed capacity

(Source: Richard Cross - thehighlands.com)

Classification Resources Quantity (GWh) NPV

E1.1; F1.1; G1 30.5 £161,914

E1.1; F1.1; G1+G2 125.1 £4,110,515

E1.1; F1.1; G1+G2+G3 317.2 £11,999,586

Project Location: Kielder National ParkType of Project: ReservoirData date: 1982 - Present

Case Study – Rusumo Falls

10

Completion expected by 2020

80 MW installed capacity

Total cost $461 million

(Source: Miguel Rodriguez – Flickr)

Classification Resources Quantity (TWh) NPV Payback Years

E1.1; F1.2; G1 14.2 $276,885,648 5

E1.1; F1.2; G1+G2 23.6 $627,492,091 3

E1.1; F1.2; G1+G2+G3 38.7 $848,633,578 2

Project Location: Rusumo Falls, RwandaType of Project: Run-of-RiverData date: 1940 - Present

Conclusion

11

UNFC suitable for hydropower resources classification

Help governments and companies to manage resources and develop policies

Hydropower risks better understood

Further development now required by the Renewable Energy Working Group

Dedicated Hydropower Sub-Group now established: volunteers welcome!

If interested, please contact Frank Denelle or Gioia Falcone

Poster accepted for presentation at All Energy conference in Glasgow, May 19