Re-activation of a small hydropower ( shp ) plant : oyan shp station , nigeria

Electricity production in small hydropower (SHP) plants can be increased without the need for the construction of new SHP scheme, but by upgrading and optimizing different aspects of existing plant's operations. An assessment of the electromechanical equipment that suites the existing heads, discharge or flow rates and other electromechanical parameters at the Oyan SHP plant, using Retscreen Clean Energy Project Analysis Software and hydraulic turbine specific speed equation ( ) to evaluate plant performances was carried out in this work. Two cases involving upgrading of the electromechanical equipment to yield 10 and 12 MW of installed capacities respectively were considered, while at the same time maintaining the existing structures such as the weir, powerhouse and penstocks. The two cases were analysed and compared with a reference case (the existing installed capacity generation of 9 MW). Findings in terms of the financial and economic analysis for optimum installation and operation, favoured the 10 MW installation. Energy gain by installing the 10 MW is 33.37% relative to the reference case while the 12 MW is 5% compared with the reference. The simple payback for the 10 and 12 MW capacities is 11 and 13 months respectively. Hence, upgrade and optimization to 10 MW is found to be a more profitable option than the 12 MW capacity.