World news |
researchers expect US hydropower generation in 2022 to rebound from 2021, despite continual drought across large areas of the West. This rebound is driven by favorable water conditions in the Northwest, which contributes the lion’s share of the West’s hydropower generation and is no longer considered to be in severe drought. Unlike western droughts experienced in the 21st century, the drought of 1976–77, which was the most severe drought ever recorded for the West, affected hydropower output from all major generating regions of the West. As a result, a repeat of this historical event would likely cause a greater reduction in overall hydropower generation than seen in the last two decades. These states are part of the Western Interconnection which is made up of 136,000 miles of transmission lines that carry power between states. As a result, even if these drought conditions repeated, overall hydropower generation in the West would still produce about three-quarters of its average annual output.
Switzerland
Gigerwald dam renovation work postponed to ensure more winter power
Axpo has announced that the extensive renovation work at the Gigerwald dam in the Taminatal in St. Gallen’s canton, Switzerland, is to be postponed for two years, due to to the imminent power shortage expected in the upcoming winter.
Although the work is critical for the long-term operation of the plant, owing the extreme energy situation the priority will be placed on ensuring the production of up to 160 GWh of energy from the water in the reservoir and recirculation operation, the company said. The Gigerwald dam is part of Kraftwerke
Sarganserland AG (KSL), in which Axpo holds a share of 98.5%. The installation was scheduled for extensive renovation this winter and would have required the full drainage of the reservoir. Construction preparations that began in the spring of 2022 have been suspended immediately and renovation work has been postponed until the winter of 2024/25. “The danger of a power shortage in the upcoming winter has intensified over the last few weeks,” explained Christoph Brand, Axpo CEO. “As a result we have decided to suspend work immediately in order to save every possible kilowatt-hour that can be produced from the reservoir and ensure recirculation operation during the winter months. In doing so, we want to continue boosting our contribution to the security of supply in next winter.”. Construction work can only take place during the winter because there is less water flow has to be diverted through the construction site. The Gigerwald reservoir will be fully drained in the winter of 2024/25 to ensure that renovation work can be carried out smoothly. The plant
is expected to go back into operation in early summer of 2025.
Uganda Sweco to study feasibility of floating solar at Ugandan dams Sweco is to carry out a feasibility study for floating solar technology at hydroelectric dams in Uganda, as well as detailed design of a pilot plant, for the Uganda Electricity Generation Company Ltd (UEGCL). The project is proposed to help diversify Uganda’s energy mix that currently mainly comprises hydroelectric power. Sweco is to conduct a preliminary assessment at four hydroelectric dams in Uganda to determine which one is most suitable for the construction of a solar power facility. Following this, a detailed study and design will be conducted with specifications to enable the procurement of contractors, financial calculations and the evaluation of environmental aspects as data for investment decisions. “This is a new technological field that is highly attractive for power companies, private investors and financiers,” said Conny Udd, Division Manager for Energy and Industry, Sweco Sweden. “The energy sector is conducting an increasing number of innovative projects and Sweco has great ambitions to participate in international initiatives to contribute to the green transition.”. For this project, Sweco will be collaborating with two consultancy companies from France and one from Germany as well as with Ugandan subcontractors. The project is set to commence immediately and is planned to last for 21 months with key deliverables comprising a feasibility study report and a detailed design of a pilot floating solar photovoltaic plant, FPV. The total order value is SEK 8 million. Sweco’s project is part of an agreement between the governments of Sweden and Uganda financed by Swedfund. Swedfund, a state-owned company, is Sweden’s development finance institution and aims to contribute to poverty reduction through sustainable investments in the world’s poorest countries.
Switzerland
Pini Group acquires Geodata Swiss-born engineering company Pini Group has acquired Geodata, an Italian geoengineering company involved in underground and hydro-related works design. With this strategic acquisition, Pini Group said it wants to benefit from the know-how of a company that has planned and supervised the construction of more than 4000 m of tunnels and more than 3500 projects worldwide relating to subways, traditional and high-speed railways, roads and motorways, dams and hydroelectric plants, as well as geology and environment.
6 | November 2022 |
www.waterpowermagazine.com “We recognize in Geodata an excellent
player in the world of underground engineering and hydropower,” said Andrea Galli, CEO of Pini Group. “Our intention is to enhance all the assets that have allowed this company to write the history of engineering: from its workers to its network of suppliers and its international partners. This acquisition is based on common values that characterize the two companies. Both Geodata and Pini started out as family businesses, which through hard work, dynamism and the pursuit of excellence have become global players in the engineering sector. Furthermore, the acquisition of Geodata allows Pini to access the renewable energy sector, with a particular focus on the hydroelectricity.
“In the fragile and transitional moment we are
currently facing, we can make the experience and knowledge of a dynamic, international and innovative group available to the sector. We will join forces to build the future of engineering together.”
Geodata was founded in Turin in 1984 and is active in 20 countries, with subsidiaries in Italy, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Ecuador, Greece, India, Malaysia, Nepal, Portugal, Peru, and Turkey.
Pakistan
Efforts underway to complete Dasu hydro project diversion system by April 2023 Concerted efforts are being made to complete the diversion system of the 4320MW Dasu Hydropower Project in Pakistan by April 2023 following recent floods in the area, with completion needed to allow construction work to start on main dam. During a recent visit to the dam site, Chairman of the Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Lt Gen Sajjad Ghani (Retd), was briefed that construction activities have resumed on as many as nine sites after the recent floods, and was told that electricity generation of the project is likely to commence in 2026.
During the visit, the Chairman witnessed construction activities on various sites of the project including inlet areas of diversion tunnels, main access tunnel, power house cavern, right bank access road, WAPDA colony and the contractor’s camp. Located on the River Indus, upstream of
Dasu town in Upper Kohistan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Dasu hydropower project is being completed in two stages. At present, WAPDA is constructing stage-I with installed generation capacity of 2160MW and annual energy generation of 12 billion units of low-cost and environment-friendly electricity. Stage-II, when implemented, will also provide 9 billion units to the national grid. On completion of the both stages, Dasu will become the project with highest annual energy generation in Pakistan.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53
