Handbook on Construction Techniques

A Practical Field Review of Environmental Impacts in Power Transmission/Distribution, Run-of-River Hydropower and Solar Photovoltaic Power Generation Projects

Shotaro Sasaki, Rajat Jain

• Publisher: Asian Development Bank
• Year: 2015
• ISBN:
  9789292571245
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Power Resources
• Index: Technology & Engineering

The report highlights a broad spectrum of environmental impacts triggered due to construction, operation, and maintenance and their mitigation for four sectors: (i) power transmission, (ii) distribution, (iii) run-of-river hydropower, and (iv) solar photovoltaic generation projects for dissemination among Asian Development Bank specialists working in the energy sector and environment fields.

V Stages of Run-of-River Hydropower Project Design, Construction and Related Environmental Impacts and Mitigation

48. This section discusses project design aspects and lists various stages of construction process along with the environmental impacts, type, impact and impact mitigation measures for run-of-river hydropower generation projects.

49. Hydropower generation projects that are funded by ADB are mostly Run-of-River (ROR) hydropower projects. These are mainly-

• Large/Medium hydropower projects (See Glossary 55)

• Small hydropower (See Glossary 55)

• Micro hydro projects (See Glossary 55)

50. The other two type of projects - Pump storage Projects and Dam projects (rarely funded by ADB) are not covered in the following sections.

51. Figure 8 provides a schematic for a typical run-of-river hydropower generation project.

Figure 8: Schematic diagram of the Hydropower generation system

A. Run-of-River (ROR) Hydropower Project

Design Criteria:

52. Run-of-river hydropower projects provide peaking loads due to storage potential and hence optimize generation, result in fossil fuel savings and minimize greenhouse gases. This also results in sources of revenue to change from traditional forest and other similar resource exploitation to an increased dependence on power from hydropower projects. The following factors are usually considered while selecting the project site for the hydropower project by project proponents:

• Forests are usually avoided. If not possible, proper mitigation to minimize damage to existing forest resources within regulatory requirements

• Avoidance of ecologically significant or environmentally sensitive areas, such as national parks, nature reserves, or wetlands.

• Minimization of potential environmental impacts (including land taken, and cultural or religious sites) associated with initial alignments and locations by selection of alternative sites.

• Minimization of involuntary resettlement. Consultation with community and adequate compensation of affected people as appropriate.

• Alignments usually selected to avoid riverbeds and unstable areas.

• Avoidance of monuments of cultural or historical importance.

• No threatening of indigenous peoples, including tribal communities.

• No direct impact on community based infrastructure such as playgrounds or schools, religious places, marriage halls etc.

• Access road alignments and dumping sites are generally sited away from towns, villages and whenever possible, to account for future population expansion.

Construction Practice, their Environmental Impacts, Mitigation and Work Process

53. The following studies are preceded before the commencement of construction work on the ROR hydropower project. Following is an illustrative list:

• Geological mapping.

• Aerial photo interpretation along the tunnel alignment.

• Field tests on rocks, point load index tests, laboratory tests.

• River discharge and levels, suspended load sampling.

• Flow for power generation - river discharge and level.

• Water profile along river upstream and downstream of tunnel outlet.

• Reservoir area capacity curves and flood studies.

• Environmental characteristics of the project area.

• Environmental imp...

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Tables and Figures
• Abstract
• Authors
• Abbreviations
• Weights and Measures
• I. Introduction
• II. Construction Techniques and Methodology used by Project Proponents
• III Stages of Power Transmission and Distribution Lines Project Design, Construction and Related Environmental Impacts and Mitigation
• IV. Stages of Power Substation project design, Construction and Related Environmental Impacts and Mitigation
• V. Stages of Run-of-River Hydropower Project Design, Construction and Related Environmental Impacts and Mitigation
• VI. Stages of Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) Power Generation Project Design, Construction and Related Environmental Impacts and Mitigation
• VII. Construction Related Environment Due Diligence Triggers and General Cumulative Impacts
• VIII. Key Lessons in Project Implementation for Designated Sector Power Projects
• IX. Conclusions
• References
• Glossary of terms used
• Back Cover