Prefeasibility study for the development of the fuller falls for small hydropower generation

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Date
2013-08-07
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Abstract
Since the early 1980s a lot of effort and resources have been invested in numerous studies on potential small scale hydropower sites in Ghana, however, none of these potential sites has been developed. The country has gone through more than a decade of uncertainties in power generation and has now resorted to the development of thermal power to supplement the traditional hydropower sources. This report is a preliminary assessment into the technical, financial and economic feasibility of developing a mini hydro power plant on the Yoko River at Fuller Falls in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. The methodology employed in the research work includes actual site measurements and hydrological assessment which was based on the catchment area, precipitation and evaporation of the project site. The financial viability of the project was assessed by the use of the RETScreen software. According to the site survey conducted in this research work, the best scheme type is a run-off-river and central grid connectivity because the nearest village Yabraso which is about 1 km from the proposed site is already connected to the national grid. With a gross head of 18.46m and design discharge of 1.95m3/s, the possible installed capacity and annual energy generation are estimated to be in the region of 235kW and 1.626 GWh respectively. Using the RETScreen software, the total initial cost of the project is estimated at $1.06 million translating into approximately $4,500 per proposed installed kW. Assuming a 25 year project life, cost of energy of $100/MWh and annual electricity escalation export rate of 0.2%; the Benefit-Cost Ratio (B-C), the Net Present Value (NPV) and the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) is estimated at 1.54, $142,519 and 13.5% respectively. This prefeasibility study therefore indicates that the project is technically and financially feasible.
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A thesis submitted to the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Renewable Energy Technologies.
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