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Development of Water Resources in India pp 499–522Cite as

Hydropower Sites Investigation and Sensitivity Analysis of Assessed Potential Using Geospatial Inputs

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Part of the book series: Water Science and Technology Library ((WSTL,volume 75))

Abstract

Hydroelectric power (HEP) sites in Balephi River valley, Nepal, were identified using remote sensing and ancillary data. Historical discharge data were used to identify 50% (2004–05) and 90% (2003–04) dependable years. Temporal snow cover, temperature and precipitation for dependable years were assessed using MODIS snow cover, LST and NOAA-CPC data, respectively. Snowmelt runoff model was used to estimate discharge with Nash–Sutcliffe model efficiency coefficient obtained as 0.86 and 0.89 for 50% and 90% dependable years, respectively. While combining design discharge corresponding to 50th percentile flow with hydraulic head determined from digital elevation model, the power potential was computed for dependable years. Five HEP sites were identified with power potential varying from 7.49 to 13.48 MW (50% dependable year) and 4.81 to 8.37 MW (90% dependable year). Sensitivity analysis of assessed potential was analyzed, and up to 31% variation in discharge and consequent changes in power potential were observed.

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Acknowledgements

The authors express their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Y.V.N. Krishna Murthy, Director, National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), and former Director, Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (CSSTEAP), Dehradun, India, for constant guidance and encouragements to demonstrate the utility of geospatial techniques for societal benefits. The authors are grateful to Dr. A. Senthil Kumar, Director, Indian Institute of Remote Sensing and CSSTEAP, Dehradun, India for his inspiration to explore niche areas in geospatial technology and applications. The authors express their gratefulness to Dr. Sarnam Singh, former Programme Coordinator, CSSTEAP, India, for coordinating the education and research programmes of CSSTEAP. The second author acknowledges the authorities in Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project, Kathmandu, Nepal, for their permission to conduct research using geospatial techniques at CSSTEAP, India.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, Kalidas Road, Dehradun, India

    Pramod Kumar

  2. Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project, Kathmandu, Nepal

    Suraj Kunwar

  3. University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, India

    Vikas Garg

Authors
  1. Pramod Kumar
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  2. Suraj Kunwar
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  3. Vikas Garg
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Pramod Kumar .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, India

    Vikas Garg

  2. Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering and Zachry Department of Civil Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA

    Vijay P. Singh

  3. Department of Civil Engineering, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, India

    Vijay Raj

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Kumar, P., Kunwar, S., Garg, V. (2017). Hydropower Sites Investigation and Sensitivity Analysis of Assessed Potential Using Geospatial Inputs. In: Garg, V., Singh, V., Raj, V. (eds) Development of Water Resources in India. Water Science and Technology Library, vol 75. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-55125-8_43

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