Tem crescido a demanda por energia em todo o mundo. No Brasil, com o aquecimento da economia aumentam ainda mais as pressões. O parque gerador Brasileiro é fortemente baseado na geração hidrelétrica, que representa aproximadamente 77,6% da oferta de geração de eletricidade. Entre os impactos ambientais gerados pela construção de barragens e reservatórios de aproveitamentos hidrelétricos está a mudança do regime fluvial de jusante, a chamada vazão remanescente. Entre outros, esta vazão deve garantir as condições adequadas à sobrevivência e continuação das espécies e dos ecossistemas, associando as necessidades humanas, ambientais e as características de cada região. Tomou-se como objeto de análise dois estudos de caso, a pequena central hidrelétrica (PCH) Santa Gabriela, localizada no rio Correntes, na divisa entre os estados de Mato Grosso e Mato Grosso do Sul e a usina hidrelétrica (UHE) Batalha, situada no rio São Marcos, na divisa entre os estados de Minas Gerais e Goiás. Embora o assunto seja discutido amplamente pela comunidade técnica e acadêmica, não há ainda nos marcos legais Brasileiros associados, uma definição explícita de critérios ou limites para estabelecimento da vazão remanescente. Em geral, as legislações estaduais estabelecem valores máximos outorgáveis determinados a partir de percentuais da curva de permanência (Q90, Q95) ou da vazão mínima anual de sete dias de duração e tempo de recorrência de 10 anos Q7,10, garantindo consequentemente as vazões mínimas remanescentes. Essas metodologias implicam num único valor fixo para a vazão ao longo do ano, o que não condiz com a realidade do regime hidrológico natural. Estudos atuais apontam para um hidrograma ecológico, que represente a variação das vazões entre os meses de estiagem e cheia. Assim, a metodologia envolveu a comparação entre critérios de outorga utilizados em alguns estados Q90, Q95 e Q7,10 e métodos citados na literatura para estudo da vazão ecológica (Tennant, Texas, Vazão Base e Perímetro Molhado) e as Resoluções referentes à Declaração de Reserva de Disponibilidade Hídrica (DRDH) das usinas, que especificam a vazão remanescente nas fases de enchimento e operação, emitidas pela Agência Nacional de Águas (ANA). Observaram-se valores de vazões substancialmente diferenciados entre os seis métodos empregados. Cabe destacar, que representa um avanço a publicação do Manual de Estudos de Disponibilidade Hídrica para Aproveitamentos Hidrelétricos (ANA, 2009), que visa à padronização dos documentos para fins obtenção da DRDH e da outorga do uso do potencial de energia hidráulica em corpo de água de domínio da União. Assim, o empreendedor poderá propor e negociar a demanda hídrica para as necessidades ambientais com as autoridades competentes, o que deverá ser discutido em reunião técnica inicial que deverá contar com a participação da Agência Nacional de Energia Elétrica (ANEEL), ANA, órgão ambiental, empreendedor e a empresa responsável pelos estudos ambientais. / Worldwide, the demand for energy has been increasing. In Brazil, with the economy warming up in the last years, the demand for energy supply further increased. The Brazilian power generating facilities are heavily based on hydroelectric generation, which represents 77,6% of the total generated electricity. Among the environmental impacts caused by the construction of dams and reservoirs are the changes on downstream discharges, known as the remaining discharge. This discharge should ensure the appropriate conditions to the survival and perpetuation of ecosystems, linking human and wild life needs of each region. In this respect, two case studies are taken as object of analysis: (1) a small hydroelectric power plant Santa Gabriela, located in Correntes river, in the limits of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul States; (2) the hydropower plant Batalha, in São Marcos river, in the limits of Minas Gerais and Goiás States. Although its been observed that this issue is widely discussed by technical and academic communities, no legal framework or an explicit definition, or criteria, or limit values has been identified for the establishment of the remaining discharge in hydroelectric power plant projects. Generally, values have been defined based on criteria adopted in states water use rights acts that define minimum discharge parameters based on time series frequency analysis such as Q90%, Q95% or Q7, 10. These methodologies imply on a single value discharge throughout the year, which does not reflect the variability of natural hydrological regime. Current studies lead to an, so called, ecological hydrogram, which would represent discharges variability during drought and flood periods. The methodology of analysis in which the discussion presented in this master dissertation was based, involved the comparison of values obtained by different water use rights criteria adopted in some states like Q90%, Q95% and Q7, 10 and, methods quoted in the literature to define the ecological discharge (Tennant, Texas, Base Flow and Wetted Perimeter), as well as National Water Agencys (ANA) declarations related to the Water Availability Reserve Statement (WARS) which specifies remaining dischargesflow for the reservoir filling and operating phases. It was observed that the application of the different methods in the two case studies resulted in significantly different values for the definition of the remaining discharge. However, its worth to note that the publication of the Guidelines for Water Availability Study for Hydroelectric Power Plants (ANA, 2009) that aims the standardization of documents to obtain WARS and granting the use of water for energy generation purposes in federal jurisdiction represents an advance in these matters. By that, the developer may propose and negotiate water demands for wild life needs with the involved authorities, which should be discussed in the initial technical meeting that will count on the National Electrical Energy Agency (ANEEL), ANA, the related environmental agency, the developer and the organization/agency responsible for the environmental studies.

This thesis deals with the extension of existing electricity production from renewable energy sources. Labour proposes and describes the construction and technical arrangements achieved by increasing production and profits. All analysis and calculations based on the current state of an existing company.

This thesis focused on creating a model of a small hydropower plant model (SHPP) and a part of the electricity network in the simulation software "PSCAD" (basing on real sources). The model will be specified on the basis of the data obtained from the measurements to correspond with the real equipment.

The Diploma Thesis deals with the design of rekonstruction of the controlled weir ´´Prizrenice“ on the river Svratka to a new gate weir structure. The first part focuses on teoretical intro and the processing of data on the area of interest and the selection of appropriate design solution for the reconstruction of the weir, where there are described several types of movable gate. As a part of sollution, there will be design of small hydro power station. At the end of this part the current condition of the buildings and the channel of the Svratka river in the area of interest is evaluated. In the second part, the Thesis deals with the design of the gate weir structure and its subsequent assessment. At first, the solid substructure and the height of the gate is designed and assessed. Subsequently, the stilling basin is designed and in conclusion, the overall stability of the designed structure is assessed.

Energy is central to economic development. It has been established that there is a clear correlation between energy consumption and living standards. Nigeria is a country of very industrious and enterprising people. However, due to non availability of adequate energy in the country, especially in the remote, off grid locations, the entrepreneurial inclination of the average Nigerian living in these locations has been largely stunted. Over the years, successive governments in the country, in realisation of the pivotal role of energy in national development, have explored various options to improve energy supply and availability, but the situation has not experienced any remarkable improvement. This has forced many businesses and households to resort to self provision through generators, often at exorbitant costs. This research work addresses the challenge of energy in remote, off grid locations by appraising the techno economic potential of renewable energy, using Obudu Ranch as a case study. This ranch is the foremost tourism resort in Nigeria, and has played host to a number of international events over the years. Presently, electricity is being generated through the use of diesel powered generating sets. The adjoining communities are currently without electricity, although a few of the residents have acquired generators for self provision, mostly for their domestic use. Aside the high cost associated with this, the discharge of noxious contaminants into the atmosphere is undesirable. The research entailed a working collaboration with some notable Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) that have done extensive ground work in the area for access to some secondary data, as well as a number of corporate and governmental agencies that are relevant to the study. Further, the ranch was visited to establish hands-on, the existing renewable energy sources. A trade-off of these sources was carried out with reference to a number of relevant evaluation parameters to identify the most suited option for addressing the energy challenge. A comparative analysis of this selected source was then made to establish its techno economic potential against the existing source of power generation- diesel powered generating sets, which currently costs R1.5 million annually in running expenses. The findings from this research have established that a Renewable Energy source (mini hydro) is a more cost effective option than the diesel powered gen set, providing a 43% reduction in cost of energy generation, and a 42% reduction in the life cycle cost over the five year of analysis, compared to the status quo. In addition, it is also more environmentally friendly. Conclusively, the findings and recommendations of this research effort, if well implemented, will be beneficial to the ranch, the adjoining communities and other relevant stakeholders. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Development and Management Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Energy is central to economic development. It has been established that there is a clear correlation between energy consumption and living standards. Nigeria is a country of very industrious and enterprising people. However, due to non availability of adequate energy in the country, especially in the remote, off grid locations, the entrepreneurial inclination of the average Nigerian living in these locations has been largely stunted. Over the years, successive governments in the country, in realisation of the pivotal role of energy in national development, have explored various options to improve energy supply and availability, but the situation has not experienced any remarkable improvement. This has forced many businesses and households to resort to self provision through generators, often at exorbitant costs. This research work addresses the challenge of energy in remote, off grid locations by appraising the techno economic potential of renewable energy, using Obudu Ranch as a case study. This ranch is the foremost tourism resort in Nigeria, and has played host to a number of international events over the years. Presently, electricity is being generated through the use of diesel powered generating sets. The adjoining communities are currently without electricity, although a few of the residents have acquired generators for self provision, mostly for their domestic use. Aside the high cost associated with this, the discharge of noxious contaminants into the atmosphere is undesirable. The research entailed a working collaboration with some notable Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) that have done extensive ground work in the area for access to some secondary data, as well as a number of corporate and governmental agencies that are relevant to the study. Further, the ranch was visited to establish hands-on, the existing renewable energy sources. A trade-off of these sources was carried out with reference to a number of relevant evaluation parameters to identify the most suited option for addressing the energy challenge. A comparative analysis of this selected source was then made to establish its techno economic potential against the existing source of power generation- diesel powered generating sets, which currently costs R1.5 million annually in running expenses. The findings from this research have established that a Renewable Energy source (mini hydro) is a more cost effective option than the diesel powered gen set, providing a 43% reduction in cost of energy generation, and a 42% reduction in the life cycle cost over the five year of analysis, compared to the status quo. In addition, it is also more environmentally friendly. Conclusively, the findings and recommendations of this research effort, if well implemented, will be beneficial to the ranch, the adjoining communities and other relevant stakeholders. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Development and Management Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

This diploma thesis deals with the design of hydraulic cleaning machine of fine screens located in the supply channel of small hydropower plant. The part of this thesis is also the design of hydraulic circuit and strength analysis using finite element method. The thesis also deals with the optimal debris removal. The thesis is attached by drawing documentation of selected parts of the mechanism.

This thesis focused on creating a model of a small hydropower plant model (SHPP) and a part of the electricity network in the simulation software "PSCAD" (basing on real sources). The model will be specified on the basis of the data obtained from the measurements to correspond with the real equipment.

The aim of the diploma thesis is to create an algorithm by which it will be possible to devise management rules. These management rules will be able to advise a more efficient use of the hydroenergetic potential of reservoirs with run-of-river small hydro. The actual algorithm will be created with a view to maximizing the profit from the operation of the hydropower plant and using the time course of electricity prices on the market. The rules designed by algorithm will be tested in a simplified way in selected period using simulation model.

The thesis is focused on the examination of the utility of a synchronous generator of a small hydroelectric power station in the case of a change of working position of the machine. The utility will be measured on the basis of the examination of deformations and state of stress of the frame of the generator for the present running (with vertical axis of rotation of the generator) and subsequently for modified running (with horizontal axis of rotation). This will be accomplished partly on the static shell model by finite element method and consequently on the simplified dynamic model.