<p>This project considers an evaluation of a potential site for a small hydropower plant located in the BioBio north irrigation system, Chile. The purpose was to analyze the potential and constraints in harnessing the energy of an existing infrastructure of irrigation canals for electrical production. The site was analyzed technically, economically and managerially. Before this project nothing was done and therefore the investigations are a main part of the project. A preliminary design for the plant was proposed and the project was named the Minicentral Quillaileo-Mininco.</p><p>Investigations showed a flow variation of 1.62-2.2 m³ per second and a gross head of 44.3 meters. Evaluation gave a possible capacity of 840 kW producing 5 800 MWh annually. Appropriate electromechanical equipment is a Francis turbine with a diameter of 0.5 meter directly coupled to a 1000 rpm synchronous generator. The penstock recommended is a DN 1200 Flowtite GRP. The station is to be fully automatic and connected to the national grid.</p><p>The revenue is based on analysis of the past three year’s electrical market. The costs are based on budget proposals, statistical values and local comparisons. The economical analysis, based on a discount rate of 12% and life span of 35 years, gives a positive cash flow within eight years and a simple payback period of 5 years. The project will have a NPV value of 444 900 USD, IRR 14.70% and B/C of 1.2. Cost per kW will be 2 980 USD. The project is recommended to be further developed.</p>

This project considers an evaluation of a potential site for a small hydropower plant located in the BioBio north irrigation system, Chile. The purpose was to analyze the potential and constraints in harnessing the energy of an existing infrastructure of irrigation canals for electrical production. The site was analyzed technically, economically and managerially. Before this project nothing was done and therefore the investigations are a main part of the project. A preliminary design for the plant was proposed and the project was named the Minicentral Quillaileo-Mininco. Investigations showed a flow variation of 1.62-2.2 m3 per second and a gross head of 44.3 meters. Evaluation gave a possible capacity of 840 kW producing 5 800 MWh annually. Appropriate electromechanical equipment is a Francis turbine with a diameter of 0.5 meter directly coupled to a 1000 rpm synchronous generator. The penstock recommended is a DN 1200 Flowtite GRP. The station is to be fully automatic and connected to the national grid. The revenue is based on analysis of the past three year’s electrical market. The costs are based on budget proposals, statistical values and local comparisons. The economical analysis, based on a discount rate of 12% and life span of 35 years, gives a positive cash flow within eight years and a simple payback period of 5 years. The project will have a NPV value of 444 900 USD, IRR 14.70% and B/C of 1.2. Cost per kW will be 2 980 USD. The project is recommended to be further developed.

A presente análise procura identificar o potencial econômico com base na agropecuária dos municípios gaúchos, o que pode ter implicações para a alocação do crédito rural das instituições financeiras bem como servir de instrumento para a formulação de políticas públicas. Primeiramente, foi conceituado o termo potencial agropecuário através de uma evolução de conceitos na área de economia regional. A identificação do potencial agropecuário foi realizada através da análise fatorial e da análise de clusters que permitiram a classificação dos municípios gaúchos em grupos conforme as suas semelhanças sócio-econômicas. A partir dos resultados, constatou-se a significativa diversificação produtiva da agropecuária gaúcha. / The present analysis tries to identify the economical potential with base in the agricultural of the municipal districts gauchos, what can have implications for the allocation of the rural credit of the financial institutions as well as to serve as instrument for the formulation of public politics. Firstly, the agricultural potential term was considered through an evolution of concepts in the area of regional economy. The identification of the agricultural potential was accomplished through the factorial analysis and the clusters analysis that allowed the classification of the municipal districts gauchos in groups conforms their socioeconomic likeness. Starting from the results, the significant productive diversification of the agricultural gaucho was verified.

A presente análise procura identificar o potencial econômico com base na agropecuária dos municípios gaúchos, o que pode ter implicações para a alocação do crédito rural das instituições financeiras bem como servir de instrumento para a formulação de políticas públicas. Primeiramente, foi conceituado o termo potencial agropecuário através de uma evolução de conceitos na área de economia regional. A identificação do potencial agropecuário foi realizada através da análise fatorial e da análise de clusters que permitiram a classificação dos municípios gaúchos em grupos conforme as suas semelhanças sócio-econômicas. A partir dos resultados, constatou-se a significativa diversificação produtiva da agropecuária gaúcha. / The present analysis tries to identify the economical potential with base in the agricultural of the municipal districts gauchos, what can have implications for the allocation of the rural credit of the financial institutions as well as to serve as instrument for the formulation of public politics. Firstly, the agricultural potential term was considered through an evolution of concepts in the area of regional economy. The identification of the agricultural potential was accomplished through the factorial analysis and the clusters analysis that allowed the classification of the municipal districts gauchos in groups conforms their socioeconomic likeness. Starting from the results, the significant productive diversification of the agricultural gaucho was verified.

A presente análise procura identificar o potencial econômico com base na agropecuária dos municípios gaúchos, o que pode ter implicações para a alocação do crédito rural das instituições financeiras bem como servir de instrumento para a formulação de políticas públicas. Primeiramente, foi conceituado o termo potencial agropecuário através de uma evolução de conceitos na área de economia regional. A identificação do potencial agropecuário foi realizada através da análise fatorial e da análise de clusters que permitiram a classificação dos municípios gaúchos em grupos conforme as suas semelhanças sócio-econômicas. A partir dos resultados, constatou-se a significativa diversificação produtiva da agropecuária gaúcha. / The present analysis tries to identify the economical potential with base in the agricultural of the municipal districts gauchos, what can have implications for the allocation of the rural credit of the financial institutions as well as to serve as instrument for the formulation of public politics. Firstly, the agricultural potential term was considered through an evolution of concepts in the area of regional economy. The identification of the agricultural potential was accomplished through the factorial analysis and the clusters analysis that allowed the classification of the municipal districts gauchos in groups conforms their socioeconomic likeness. Starting from the results, the significant productive diversification of the agricultural gaucho was verified.