“Qaraglukh” SHPP: Monitoring Results (Photos)

“Qaraglukh” SHPP: Monitoring Results (Photos)

EcoLur

In the framework of the project entitled “Support to SHPP-relating Reforms Through the Dialogue of Public and RA Nature Protection Ministry for Sustainable Use of River Ecosystems” the expert group visited “Qaraglukh” SHPP. “Qaraglukh” SHPP is located in Vayots Dzor Region, in the administrative area of Qaraglukh Community. The SHPP is constructed on the Yeghegis Tributary to the Getik River and its right-sided tributary (length – 10 km). It’s operated by “Hermon Mad” LLC.

As a result of the monitoring, the expert group found out:

· The SHPP has been operating since 2010.

· According to the project, the estimated pressure of the SHPP is 1234.5 m for Qaraglukh River and 174.5 m for the right-sided tributary and they are 234.57 m and 174.53 m, according to the PSRC. According to the project, the estimated pressure of the SHPP is 195.4 m. According to the project, the estimated yield used for Qaraglukh River (branch 1) is 0.60 m3/s and 0.30 m3/s for the right-sided tributary (branch 2) and they are 0.6 m3/s and 0.3 m3/s, according to the PSRC. The maximum estimated yield set for the SHPP is set 0.9 m3/s, which is not used by the SHPP. According to the PSRC certificate, the projected capacity is 1570 kW, and according to the project, it’s 1.14 MW for branch 1 and 0.43 MW for branch 2. According to the PSRC, as of 01.01.2016 the factual useful delivery of the electricity is 2.035108 million kWh. As of 1 January 2015, it was 4.091638 million kWh. The estimated production of the SHPP is 2.188135 million kWh according to the project, duration of license - 25.03.2009- 25.03.2024, water usage permit - 14.09.2012-14.09.2015.

· The difference between the SHPP coordinates in the water usage permit and the real coordinates is insignificant.

· The monitoring group has only visited the water intake point carried out in the right-sided tributary only. The length of the concrete dam is 6m, and its height is 1.7 m.

· There is fish passway in the right part of the dam, which has a length of 6 m, width of 0.9 m and 6 stairs. The entrance of the fish passway is closed and doesn’t operate at all. According to the SHPP employee, there is no fish in the river, as around 200 meters above the station building there is cascade of waterfalls over the river, because of which the fish can’t flow upwards. The waterfalls exist, as a matter of fact, and have around height of 3-4 meters.

· Only brown trout is available here out of all fish species, as only the brown trout can overcome the natural waterfalls and chutes of 3-4 meters.

· According to the project, the length of the SHPP pipeline is 1935 m for branch 1 and 1390 m for branch two and its diameter is 720 mm for branch 1 and 530 mm for branch 2. The pipeline is buried.

· Percentage correlation of aggregate length of  “Qaraglukh” SHPP derivation pipeline (1935 m) with the river length (10 km) makes up 19.35%.

· According to the water usage permit, “Qaraglukh” SHPP can take water 9240.0 cum/s in all 12 months ensuring 0.0011 cum/s environmental flow in the river and 0.006 cum/s environmental flow in the tributary. The project sets the same amount of environmental flow. At the moment of observation, the environmental flow was not ensured with the dam and fish passway. The environmental flow in the river was ensured only in the right-side part of the dam next to the sand trap constructed through an accident valve. According to the employees, this valve is set to be used in flood yields, when the river has much sediment load.

· According to “Computation Center” CJSC data, in 2014 “Qaraglukh” SHPP operated for 12 months and produced 1422650 kW electricity. (According to the project, the estimated production is 2.188135 million kWh).

· There are two aggregates of local “Tsatryan” production installed in the SHPP building instead of three projected ones. The capacity of one of the aggregates is 700 kW, and the other is 400 kW. The water flows into the SHPP building through three pipes. At the moment of observation, only one aggregate was operating. The turbine ensured 110 kW capacity with 90-100 l/s water amount. The maximum estimated yield for the SHPP was set 0.9 cum/s water amount, which is not used by the SHPP. In high-water months (April, May and June) two turbines spend 2.1 l/s water amount for 1kW together ensuring maximum 1050 kW projected capacity in the station instead of the projected 1570 kW.

· Automatic management and recording of water intake and environmental flow is not ensured.

· The area of the station is improved and greened partially. The requirements posed to the preservation and use of the fertile layer of the land are not adhered to.

·  The discharge of household wastewater is carried out through a well toilet.

 Proposals

· To ensure automatic management of environmental flow in the head section, installation of water-measuring devices and online control.

· To review the environmental flows of 0.011 m3/s and 0.06 m3/s and these water amounts can’t ensure the natural state of river ecosystems and biodiversity.

· To reconstruct the water intake point to be able to ensure the environmental flow let out into the river without any obstacles.

· Only in case of relevant opinion of the ichthyologist, to include the construction of new a fish passway into rehabilitation works, as the structure has no functional significance.

· The use of the dam may be refused and to carry out the water intake in another way without blocking the riverbed.

· To re-equip the SHPP with new and up-to-date hydroaggregates having high efficiency to have entirely automated management system, to operate with little water amount and to ensure the projected capacity.

· To ensure solutions to the discharge of the wastewater through a water-proof well or “mini” cleaning station.

·  To equip the transformers with oil-collecting system.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The material was  developed in the frames of “Supporting reforms in the sector of small hydro power plants through enabling a dialogue between civil society  and the Ministry  of Nature Protection for sustainable use of river ecosystems” supported by UNDP/GEF Small Grants Programme".



April 08, 2016 at 15:21