The Open Renewable Energy Journal

2008, 1 : 11-16
Published online 2008 December 31. DOI: 10.2174/1876387100901010011
Publisher ID: TOREJ-1-11

Life Cycle Analysis of Run-of River Small Hydro Power Plants in India

Varun I. K. Bhat and Ravi Prakash
MED, NIT-Hamirpur (HP) - India.

ABSTRACT

For 7-8% growth rate that India is aspiringfor, its energy needs will increase correspondingly. The challenge is to provide desired quality power in a sustainable manner and at reasonable cost. Small hydropower has the potential of about 15000 MW in India and considered to be a reliable source of electricity generation. Three run-of river small hydropower projects in India has been identified and their Life Cycle Analysis has been carried out by using the economic input- output (EIO) technique. The energy use, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy pay-back period (EPBT) were quantified for these small hydro power plants.

Keywords:

Small hydro, economic input-output, energy pay-back period.