The liberalization of the electricity market and the obligation on the part of Producers and Distributors of electric energy to supply an amount of electric energy produced from renewable sources every year, means that its production is becoming an important reality. Reference is made here to obtainable energy production by mini-hydro plants harnessing the numerous torrents in Calabria, a region with many deactivated mini-hydroelectric power plants and torrents, and an analysis is undertaken of the energy contribution that this intervention could make on a regional and national level: the avoidance of CO2 emissions, possible local employment and investments. A set of technical interventions has been identified to be applied to the design of the plants in order to attain greater efficiency from them. Regarding the places where energy can be produced a classification methodology has been used based on the available flow and orographic features, using some places determined in advance in a study by the Soil Conservation Department of the University of Calabria. Inspections to document the present orographic and hydrologic situation were carried out, providing an accurate and exact cataloguing of the locations, the elaboration of pluviometric data to estimate the present flow value, identification of the flow curve period of the torrents using an experimental mathematical model and identification of the production capacity obtainable, employing currently available hydraulic turbines and devices. The “running water” plants, without storage, need simple hydraulic works with a low environmental impact, sometimes even producing benefits by checking the flow of the water. In this context a series of technical procedures has been studied to increase the efficiency and to minimize the realization cost of the plants. The results of this study provide an energy overview for the Calabria Region, an important energy contribution at national level, a reduction of CO2, an interesting economic scenario and the identification of a flexible plant model.
Energy Rationalization Action Strategies for Mini-Hydro Plants in The Calabrian Area
FRAGIACOMO, Petronilla;SCORNAIENCHI, Nino Michele
2007-01-01
Abstract
The liberalization of the electricity market and the obligation on the part of Producers and Distributors of electric energy to supply an amount of electric energy produced from renewable sources every year, means that its production is becoming an important reality. Reference is made here to obtainable energy production by mini-hydro plants harnessing the numerous torrents in Calabria, a region with many deactivated mini-hydroelectric power plants and torrents, and an analysis is undertaken of the energy contribution that this intervention could make on a regional and national level: the avoidance of CO2 emissions, possible local employment and investments. A set of technical interventions has been identified to be applied to the design of the plants in order to attain greater efficiency from them. Regarding the places where energy can be produced a classification methodology has been used based on the available flow and orographic features, using some places determined in advance in a study by the Soil Conservation Department of the University of Calabria. Inspections to document the present orographic and hydrologic situation were carried out, providing an accurate and exact cataloguing of the locations, the elaboration of pluviometric data to estimate the present flow value, identification of the flow curve period of the torrents using an experimental mathematical model and identification of the production capacity obtainable, employing currently available hydraulic turbines and devices. The “running water” plants, without storage, need simple hydraulic works with a low environmental impact, sometimes even producing benefits by checking the flow of the water. In this context a series of technical procedures has been studied to increase the efficiency and to minimize the realization cost of the plants. The results of this study provide an energy overview for the Calabria Region, an important energy contribution at national level, a reduction of CO2, an interesting economic scenario and the identification of a flexible plant model.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
