A pre-feasibility study of micro hydropower plant at Kiirila and Kibengwe Falls
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Date
1990
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University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
A study has been made in Kagera Region with particular emphasis on Kyamato river basin in Bukoba rural district for potential micro-hydropower sites Forty six potential micro-hydropower sites have been identified from topographical maps for micro-hydropower development in the region. Sever sites have been identified in Kyamato basin but only two sites Kibengwe and Kiirila have been studied in detail and earmarked for development. The hydropower potential of Kyamato basin has been assessed using the line potential method. The ultimate power potential of Kyamato river basin was estimated at 1.2 MW and realizable power potential was estimated at 645 kW. A Fortran computer programme to process meteorological data into monthly run developed. The developed procedure for converting meteorological data into run off was used on Kibengwe and Kiirila falls a case study. The annual mean discharge for Kibengwe was found to annual mean discharge for Kiirila was found to be 0.1m3/s. Flow duration curves for Kibengwe and Kiirila were then drawn and at 50 percent exceedance, power was calculated to be 75 kW and 10 kW respectively. The development procedure was then tested on the gauged stream, Ndembera. A flow duration curve of Ndembera river using meteorological data derived from Madibira Meteorological station was drawn and compared with flow duration cuvers drawn by using actual readings obtained from Madibira gauging station. The results were quite satisfactory. The study gives initial estimates of main components and capital costs for the proposed micro-hydropower plants. The estimated capital cost for Kibengwe was Tshs. 32,303,503/= or $ 2154.0 per kW. The estimated cost for Kiirila was Tshs. 10,476,840/= or $ 5238.0 per kW. Use of stone masonry and burnt bricks instead of concrete blocks for construction of civil structures, use of locally manufactured machinery, use of local skills and standardization of machinery and civil structures were suggested as means of reducing capital costs. Finally, cross-flow turbines have been recommended for use of micro-hydropower projects because of their simplicity in manufacture and higher part load efficiencies.
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Available in print form
Keywords
Hydroelectric power plant, Tanzania
Citation
Kibira, M.R (1990) A pre-feasibility study of micro hydropower plant at Kiirila and Kibengwe Falls,Masters dissertation,University of Dar es Salaam. Available at (http://41.86.178.3/internetserver3.1.2/detail.aspx?parentpriref= )