Life Cycle Analysis of Run-of River Small Hydro Power Plants in India

Abstract

For 7-8% growth rate that India is aspiringfor, its energy needs will increase correspondingly. The challenge is to provide desired quality power in a sustainable manner and at reasonable cost. Small hydropower has the potential of about 15000 MW in India and considered to be a reliable source of electricity generation. Three run-of river small hydropower projects in India has been identified and their Life Cycle Analysis has been carried out by using the economic input-output (EIO) technique. The energy use, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy pay-back period (EPBT) were quantified for these small hydro power plants.