Rural electric power development: feasibility of ugwolawo micro hydro electric system

Abstract

Micro hydro power represents a viable technological pathway for converting the kinetic and potential energy of flowing water into electrical energy through generator systems. This paper investigates the feasibility of a stand alone micro hydro electric power generation system as an enabling technology for rural electrification at the Ofu stream segment in Ugwolawo, Kogi State, Nigeria. Head elevation was determined using a Garmin GPSmap 76 S Global Positioning System receiver. The float method of stream discharge measurement was adopted and field measurements were conducted over three consecutive years. RETScreen software was applied to assess the feasibility of small scale hydropower renewable energy potential and to conduct Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission reduction analysis for the site. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the studied site was carried out for the anticipated construction and operating phases. The results indicate that the gross hydraulic head elevation and design flow are 4.60 m and 0.793 m3 /s respectively. A total power capacity of 14 kW, firm power of 12 kW, annual energy capture of 224.8 MWh, and GHG emission reduction equivalent to 183 tonnes of carbon dioxide (tCO2 ) were estimated. The EIA results yielded negligible impact on the locality. The Ugwolawo site demonstrates strong potential for implementation as a cost effective renewable electric power source for rural settlements. Keywords: Micro Hydropower; Renewable Energy; Head Elevation; Flow Discharge; Greenhouse Gas Reduction; Environmental Impact Assessment.