2010.4-2011.3 Yearbook of NILIM
Research Summary
River Department
| Reference Number | Y100309 |
| Title | Research of unused water energy in river basin area |
| Start-End Date | 2009.4-2011.3 |
| Division | Water Management and Dam Division |
| Author | Head,Shinya MITSUISHI Senior Researcher, Yoko YAMAMOTO |
| Summary | Utilization of renewable energy is effective in order to reduce CO2 emission and maintenance and management cost of river management facilities. It is estimated in an evaluation that the availability of unused water-power energy in river basin areas is 320,000 MWh. This is the equivalent of 6.3% of solar power generation, and 5.5% of wind power generation in Kyoto Protocol Target Achievement Plan. The calculation method for cost benefit analysis for hydraulic power plant installation has potential for review. It is an issue for promotion of utilization of unused waterpower energy. With respect to the calculation method for cost benefit analysis based on the Specified Multi-Purpose Dams Law, B/C increases at many dams and floodgates where unused water-power energy is available in the case the fuel price for power generation unit price (kWh value) can be modified in accordance with the recent crude oil price. With regards to the calculation method for cost benefit analysis for power generation for dam management, B/C fluctuates significantly by changing power sale price. For utilization of unused water-power energy in river basin areas, technical issues such as the following need to be solved: reduction of maintenance and management cost for power generators and improvement of operation ratio. |