CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 GENERAL BACKGROUND

Energy is one of the major inputs for the economic development of any country. The
consumption of energy is increasing at a fast pace while available resources remain
limited. According to a latest study, our annual energy demand outstrips the supply by
about 15%. In 2011, over 300 million people of our country had no access to
electricity. More than one third of India’s rural population and 6% of the urban
population lacked electricity. Even those who have access to electricity, the supply was
intermittent and unreliable. In 2010, blackouts and power shedding interrupted
irrigation and manufacturing across the country. The per capita average annual
domestic electricity consumption in India in 2009 was 96 kWh in rural areas and 288
kWh in urban areas for those with access to electricity, in contrast to the worldwide per
capita energy consumption estimate vary depending on the source. As of January 2012,
one report found that the per capita total consumption in India to be 778 kWh. It is in
context that the stand alone power production system such as small hydro power
production comes into picture. In this scheme, we are utilizing the local resourced for
power production. Other major advantage of this system is the grid isolation, India’s
network losses exceeded 32% in 2010 including non-technical losses, compared to
world average of less than 15%. Both technical and non-technical factors contribute to
these losses, but quantifying their proportions is difficult. But the government pegs the
national transmission and distribution losses at around 24% for year 2011 and has set a
target of reducing it to 17.1% by 2017 and to 14.1% by 2022. Some experts estimate
the technical losses are about 15% to 20%. It is in this context that renewable energy
plays a vital role in improving the energy scenario of the country and the sustainable
development is impossible without using renewable energy sources. India is endowed
with a vast and viable hydro potential for cleaner power generation. The share of hydro
power in our country is about 20% of the total power generation capacities.
Development of hydro power plant at an accelerated pace is one of the tasks in the
policy announced by the ministry of power. Small hydro power generation is quite
possible on small rivers, canals etc. As it could be beneficial in utilization of all
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existing water reservoirs and streams. The small hydro power plants have good
potential to provide energy is remote areas away from the grid. The state of Kerala has
a large untapped potential for small hydro power generation. Vellakkayam 90Kw
hydro electric project, Keerithodu hydro electric project are some similar works in
Kerala.
The proposed project focuses on the development of a mini hydro power plant at
Cheeyappara. Cheeyappara Waterfalls is located between Adimali and
Neriamangalam, Kerala, India on the Kochi-Madurai Highway (NH 49). Cascading
down a rocky slope, this seven-step fall is around 1000 ft above sea level. Surrounded
by dense forests, this enchanting waterfall is one of the most stunning in Kerala. The
stream drains into one of the main tributary (Deviar) of Periyar river. This place is
about 31 km distant from Kothamangalam town and approachable by good tarred road.
The site is characterized with its high head and reasonable good discharge. The gross
head of site is estimated to be about 100m. The design head after deducting the losses
comes to 92m.
Exposed rock available is throughout the stream and overflow type weir is proposed to
be located in the stream. The project will not cause any forest submergence with the
proposed weir. The intake position will not cause any forest submergence with the
proposed weir. The intake position is left bank in the non-overflow block. The
penstock is also aligned along the root mentioned above. The power house location is
fully in government land. The tail water is led into the existing valley stream, which is
in forest land. This project envisages 11 kV power evacuation line around 2km to
distribution location. The capacity of the stream is 2×350 kW. The capacity is selected
after detailed study of the availability of water in the stream by correlating the
discharge readings obtained from the nearest gauge at Valara station.
The project area is selected in such a way to avoid forest destruction partially. From
the diversion weir a pemstock having length of about 100m, 50cm diameter have to be
installed for the generation of power. The turbine selected is horizontal cross flow
turbine to suit the available head and discharge. The machine selected are with
denomination of 2×350kWas this is the optimum size, which cater to a lean flow in the
dry seasons as well.

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The toal estimated cost of the project is 295 lakhs and cost per kWh is Rs.5.17 with a
payback period of 10 years. This is economically viable and better to implement at the
earliest. There is no eviction of land. A simple intake with vertical lift gate is proposed
on the left bank of river through the non overflow portion of the weir. An LPP having a
length of 100m is proposed to carry water from the intake to the power house. The
hydrology of the scheme is worked out based on the rainfall records. The total
catchment area of the stream is 1.065 k𝑚2 and average annual rainfall is 4622.1mm.
The hydrological calculations are made based on the data availed Valara gauge station.

The main componenets of the structures of the project are

1. Concrete weir of length 10m. The overflow portion is 5m long and non-
overflow portion of 1.3m height and of 2,5m length to both banks.
2. A gated intake having 1m×1m is provided at the left bank, through the non-
overflow portion.
3. The main water conductor system is a penstock pipe having a length of 100m
and having a diameter of size of 50cm is proposed to carry water up to the
power house.
4. A power house having a size of 15m×8m×10m is to be provided.

1.2 OBJECTIVE
To develop the integration of the power plant in the ecological environment. Then
to limit the costs compared to the other sources of energy by developing adapted
technology. Improving the living conditions of the village people. Generating new
opportunities for over all uplift. Providing light for study and promote education
amongst children promising them better future. Creating environmental awareness
among the people and help control available destruction of the forest. To open new
markets related to marginal hydro potential and improve rehabilitation project. To
develop the adequacy of power plant related to the electric power needs and
available hydrology.

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1.3 SCOPE
Hydro –electric energy is a renewable resource that is replenished by the
environment over a relatively short period of time. Water is neither depleted nor its
composition altered during the generation cycle. Small hydro
projects(90%)efficient in utilisation of the resource than solar(15-20%), wind
(35%) and other renewable energy sources

CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW