Electricity generation from existing multipurpose dams in Turkey

Abstract

The aim of this article is to investigate the hydropower potential of multipurpose dams constructed with the purpose of supplying irrigation, domestic water supply, flood control, navigation, recreation, sanitation, and wildlife conservation but not for electricity generation in Turkey. One of the functions of multipurpose dams is to produce electricity when released water from the reservoir. More than 1175 dams in various sizes and types have been constructed so far in Turkey and according to the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) definition, 555 dams have already been in operation by 2005. At the present research, out of It 75 dams, 78 multipurpose dams with an installed capacity less than 20 MW still in operation can be rehabilitated as small hydropower facilities. For this purpose, existing 78 of multipurpose dams which do not generate electricity so far have been investigated. By using these existing multipurpose dams, only minor new civil works and ready-to-use turbine generator are required, which reduces the cost of electricity generation. It has been calculated that the electricity generation using this potential is 1090.89 GWh/yr with 287.83 MW installed capacity. This potential will add an important monetary value to Turkish economy.