Review of Existing Knowledge on the Effectiveness and Economics of Fish-Friendly Turbines

Transcription

1 Review of Existing Knowledge on the Effectiveness and Economics of Fish-Friendly Turbines Session II, Item 4. Applicability of Fish FriendlyTurbines for Mekong River Hydroplants Hydropower Vientiane, Laos PDR 16th & 17th June,

2 Applicability of FFTs for Mekong River hydropower developments Four fundamental questions Would installing FFTs benefit fish passage for migrating species? Is knowledge gained through study, testing, monitoring and deploying FFTs, primarily for juvenile salmon, applicable for the Mekong River? What research and study is required to investigate and confirm this applicability? Are there other reasons to install FFTs? Hydropower 2

3 Applicability of FFTs for Mekong River hydropower developments FTTs are a suitable, but qualified option to enhance downstream fish passage survivability in the Lower Mekong River However, knowledge transfer from global experience will require considerable effort in study, monitoring and testing Any fish passage assessment should be holistic and cover all upstream and downstream options in relation to fish behaviours and migration considerations Similarly, the assessment should include all floodplain and tributary areas which form part of the migration patterns Hydropower 3

4 Applicability of FFTs for Mekong River hydropower developments Global studies have shown FFTs can improve survivability of downstream fish passage (mainly for juvenile salmonid/eels). Focused research work is required before lessons learned from knowledge of turbine technology and fish passage research can be applied to the LMB environment. Confirming suitability of FFTs for the LMB hydroplants will be challenging, due partly to the complex migratory patterns and the large numbers and variety of species Considerable resources will be required for the necessary study and research activities. Hydropower 4

5 Applicability of Turbine Types for Mekong River developments Kaplan and Bulb turbines units are the present choice for proposed hydropower developments on the Lower Mekong River. These units can benefit from the technology advancements on FFTs (modified MGR Kaplan and Ice Harbor project turbines) Assessment of FFTs for the Mekong River tributaries is beyond this review, however, safe migration routes throughout the basin are critical. Learnings from this Review can be transferred to the tributary projects suitable for Kaplan and bulb turbines. While the Alden turbine is presently unproven, it has undisputed potential and an initial small-scale pilot project on a tributary may be appropriate Hydropower 5

6 Mekong River Hydropower Developments Project name Installed Capacity (MW) Dam Height (m) Live Storage (10 6 m 3 ) Inundated Area (km 2 ) Rated Head (m) Turbine Type (number) Pak Beng Kaplan (10) Luang Prabang Kaplan (10) Xayabouri Kaplan (10) Pak Lay Kaplan (10) Sanakham N/A 25 Kaplan (6) Pak Chom N/A 22 Ban Koum Kaplan (20) Lat Sua NA N/A 10 Don Sahong N/A Bulb (4) Stung Treng N/A 15 Kaplan (16) Sambor Kaplan (26) 6

7 Applicability of Turbine Types for Mekong River developments The LMB has a wide diversity and number of fish species and it will be challenging to design a turbine to improve fish passage for all species. Improving fish passage for a few key species or functional group(s) may be more attainable. Research on physical and biological parameters continues at a slow pace. Far more focused research is needed on the interactions between dams, hydropower projects and fish in the LMB. International cooperation with research groups from countries and regions having similar ecosystems, fish species and hydropower developments will be most effective. Hydropower 7

8 Applicability of Turbine Types for Mekong River developments Economics is an important factor in the decision process to install FFTs in Mekong River hydropower projects Supply and installation costs of an MGR Kaplan turbine in a new power plant are expected to be similar to conventional designs Significant economic benefits are expected to occur from improved generation performance of MGR turbines, which generally produce more power than conventional designs while maintaining high fish passage survivability Similar benefits could be expected for Bulb units Hydropower 8