Research and planning on efficiency increase, capacity expansion and green transformation of hydropower in Southern Zhejiang

Abstract

China is endowed with a substantial reservoir of small hydropower resources. Since the 1980 s, the State Council has been instrumental in the advancement of rural hydropower development, successfully completing the electrification of over 1 500 counties. The country's installed capacity of small hydropower stations has reached a remarkable 73 000 megawatts(MW), representing over half of the global installed capacity of small hydropower. This achievement has significantly contributed to the economic and social advancement of rural areas. Nevertheless, as a consequence of economic development and environmental awareness, the role of small hydropower has been gradually marginalized, and the existing historical problems have not been effectively solved. A basic data platform of rural hydropower in China is employed to explore the feasibility of green transformation, modernization, and upgrading of small hydropower.It also analyzes the hydropower expansion mode and the feasibility of hybrid pumping and storage transformation under the condition of a high proportion of new energy to the grid. Furthermore, it puts forward a transformation planning plan for the hydropower resource-rich area of Southern Zhejiang Province and analyzes the technical economics of hydropower stations of different scales. It is demonstrated that through the implementation of reasonable efficiency enhancements and expansion renovations, the aged hydropower station can markedly enhance its energy efficiency, augment its power generation capacity, and enhance its safety and environmental benefits.

Keywords

small hydropower efficiency expansion / green transformation / hybrid pumped storage