Additional water discharge simulation to increase power generation of the Xe Nam noi Dam 1 Attapeu Province Lao People's

Abstract

This research aimed to simulate the release of additional water to enhance the power generation capacity of small hydroelectric dams, specifically francis hydro turbines. Se Nam Noi 1 electric dam, situated in the southern part of the democratic republic, is a small electric dam with an installed capacity of 2 x 7.4 megawatts and a small reservoir covering approximately 0.060 square kilometers. The basin's full water volume is 273,000 cubic meters, allowing for electricity generation at a maximum water level of 252 meters above sea level and a minimum of 249 meters above sea level. This article presents simulations of additional water releases using actual data collected from Se Nam Noi 1 electric dam between January 1, 2020, and July 18, 2021, showing an up to 11% increase, equivalent to 5.56 WM, in the second electric power generator's capacity when simulating additional water discharge in 2021. The first electric power generator also exhibits a capacity increase of up to 10%, equivalent to 6.42 MW. Similarly, the second electric power generator demonstrates an increase of up to 13%, equivalent to 5.86 MW. In 2020, Se Nam Noi 1 electric dam successfully generated a total electric power output of 55.728 gigawatt hours, which increased to 57.169 gigawatt hours when simulating additional water releases. In 2021, the dam produced a total of 16.348 gigawatt hours, with an additional 16.811 gigawatt hours generated when simulating additional water releases.