POKHARA UNIVERSITY

EVEREST ENGINEERING COLLEGE

Sanepa-2, Lalitpur
Nepal

A
REPORT ON
HYDROPOWER FIELD VISIT

Submitted by:- Submitted to:-

Name:- Prashant Joshi Department of Civil Engineering
Roll no :- 19040753 Everest Engineering College
Group:- B Sanepa , Lalitpur

Jan, 2023
 ABSTRACT

This is to recommend that the Field Assessment report entitled “A Hydropower Field Visit
Report” is prepared as per the requirement of course Hydropower Engineering for civil
engineering 4th year 1st part.

This Academic report has been prepared as per observation carried out under guidance of Er.
Nischal Aryal Sir , Er. Prakash Thapa Sir and Er. Aditya Gautam Sir. The field was based on
the result of own observation and the secondary data collected.

During field visit, I got opportunity to learn the different components of hydropower their
operation mechanism. The report has definitely been a great deal of hard work and
perseverance which has resulted in a fruitful journey and a wonderful experience as a whole.
I have gained a lot not only in the field of knowledge on the subject matter but also in
working procedure.

 Prashant Joshi

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I extend my sincere gratitude to Department of Civil Engineering, Everest Engineering

College, for providing us the opportunity to participate in the Hydropower field visit. I put
my sincere thanks to my teachers Er. Nischal Aryal Sir, Er. Prakash Thapa Sir, Er. Aditya
Gautam Sir for guiding us throughout the field visit.

The visit was conducted at the various Hydro Power Project around Pokhara and Tanahu.
This journey has been fruitful to me as I was able to look into all the details of the Hydro
Power Plant and also observe the maintenance work being carried out there.

I am grateful to all the staff of those Hydropower Project Plant as well as the Power House
for their great hospitality and answering all queries without any hesitation.

Finally, I would also like to thank who directly or indirectly helped us to successfully
complete the field work.

 Prashant Joshi

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Table of Contents
ABSTRACT...............................................................................................................................................i
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT............................................................................................................................ii
CHAPTER 1.............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Background..................................................................................................................................1
1.2 Objectives....................................................................................................................................1
1.3 Introduction.................................................................................................................................1
1.4 Field Visit Area............................................................................................................................2
1.5 Types of Hydropower Plant Based on Head, Storage Capacity...................................................2
1.6 Components of ROR, PROR and Storage Type Projects...............................................................5
1.7 Status of Hydropower in Nepal....................................................................................................8
CHAPTER 2 : SETI HYDROPOWER PROJECT............................................................................................9
2.1 Introduction.................................................................................................................................9
2.2 Location Map...............................................................................................................................9
2.3 Salient Features of SHPP............................................................................................................10
2.4 Some Pictures of SHPP...............................................................................................................11
CHAPTER 3: FEWA HYDROPOWER PROJECT........................................................................................16
3.1 Introduction...............................................................................................................................16
3.2 Location Map.............................................................................................................................16
3.3 Salient Features of Fewa Hydropower Project...........................................................................17
3.4 Some Pictures of Fewa Hydropower Projects............................................................................18
CHAPTER 4: TANAHU HYDROPOWER PROJECT....................................................................................19
4.1 Introduction...............................................................................................................................19
4.2 Location Map.............................................................................................................................19
4.3 Salient Features of Tanahu Hydropower Project.......................................................................20
4.4 Some Pictures of THP.................................................................................................................20
Conclusion...........................................................................................................................................22
Bibliography.........................................................................................................................................22

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LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE 1: LAYOUT OF ROR PROJECTS(SOURCE: RESEARCHGATE.NET) 4

FIGURE 2: LAYOUT OF STORAGE TYPE PROJECTS(SOURCE: ELECTRICALLEASY.COM) 5
FIGURE 3: SETI HYDROPOWER PROJECT, KASKI 9
FIGURE 4 : SETI HYDROPOWER HEADWORKS 11
FIGURE 5: U/S OF INTAKE OF SETI HYDROPOWER 11
FIGURE 6: WEIR OF SETI HYDROPOWER 12
FIGURE 7: RADIAL FLUSHING GATE OF SETI HPP 12
FIGURE 8: INTAKE OF SETI HPP 13
FIGURE 9: GRAVEL TRAP OF SETI HPP 13
FIGURE 10: DESANDING BASIN OF SETI HPP 14
FIGURE 11: PENSTOCK PIPE AND POWERHOUSE OF SHPP 14
FIGURE 12: TURBINE USED IN SHPP 15
FIGURE 13: FEWA HYDROPOWER PROJECT 16
FIGURE 14: FEWA DAM 18
FIGURE 15: PENSTOCK PIPE AND POWERHOUSE 18
FIGURE 16: TANAHU HYDROPOWER PROJECT, TANAHU 19
FIGURE 17: CONSTRUCTION SITE OF THP (SOURCE:THL.COM.NP) 20
FIGURE 18: DRAFT TUBE TUNNEL OF THP (SOURCE:THL.COM.NP) 21
FIGURE 19: UNDERGROUND TUNNEL OF THP (SOURCE: THL.COM.NP) 21

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 CHAPTER 1

1.1 Background
The hydropower field visit was organized by the Department of Civil Engineering , Everest
Engineering College in order to acquire the practical knowledge about the hydropower
project. The hydropower tour was held on 12th to 14th Poush, 2079.

1.2 Objectives
The main objectives of our field visit were:-

 Study about various Components of Hydropower Projects and their Functions

 Study about various types of Hydropower plant

1.3 Introduction
Hydroelectric power, also called hydropower, electricity produced from generators driven
by turbines that convert the potential energy of falling or fast-flowing water into mechanical
energy. In the early 21st century, hydroelectric power was the most widely utilized form
of renewable energy; in 2019 it accounted for more than 18 percent of the world’s total power
generation capacity.

In the generation of hydroelectric power, water is collected or stored at a higher elevation and
led downward through large pipes or tunnels (penstocks) to a lower elevation; the difference
in these two elevations is known as the head. At the end of its passage down the pipes, the
falling water causes turbines to rotate. The turbines in turn drive generators, which convert
the turbines’ mechanical energy into electricity. Transformers are then used to convert the
alternating voltage suitable for the generators to a higher voltage suitable for long-distance
transmission. The structure that houses the turbines and generators, and into which the pipes
or penstocks feed, is called the powerhouse.

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1.4 Field Visit Area
Mainly during the trip, we visited three places to enhance the knowledge of Hydropower
projects. These three places are:-

a) Seti Hydropower Project, Nadipur-3, Pokhara

b) Tanahu Hydropower Project, Tanahu

c) Fewa Hydropower Project, Kaski

1.5 Types of Hydropower Plant Based on Head, Storage Capacity

1) Classification Based on Head
Different country classify differently based on head of water. The Classification of
Hydropower project based on head is given below ;
a) Low Head Plant: <15m
[Axially flow turbine is used Eg, Kaplan Turbine]
b) Medium Head Plant: 15 m to 50 m
[Mixed flow turbine is used. Eg, Francis]
c) High Head Plant: >15m
[High turbine is used. Eg, Pelton]

2) Classification based on Capacity

In case of Nepal, following classification is adopted for hydropower projects
a) Micro-Hydropower: up to 100 kW
b) Mini Hydropower Project: 100 kW-1000 kW
c) Small Hydropower Project: 1 MW- 25 MW
d) Medium Hydropower Project: 25 MW-100 MW
e) Large Hydropower Project: >100 MW

3) Based on Hydraulic Features

a) Conventional Hydro-Plants
 These plants utilize the normally available hydraulic energy of the flowing
water of river.
b) Pumped Storage Plants

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  Such Plants utilize the concept of recycling the same water by using pumping
selecting.
c) Tidal Power Plants:
 Only a few plants like ‘La Rance’ in France have been in operation using tidal
energy of sea water.
d) Depression Power Plants

4) Based on Constructional Feature

a) Valley Dam Plants
Eg, Three Gorges Project(24000 MW)
Karnali- Chisapani Project(10800 MW)
b) Diversion Canal Plants
 The distinguishing feature of the diversion canal Plants is that the water of the
river are diverted away from the main channel through a diversion canal
referred as a power canal.
 A power house is provided at a suitable point along the stretch of the canal.
 After the water flows through the powerhouse, it is conveyed back to the parent
river.
 Diversion canal Plants are generally low head to medium head plants.
c) High Head Diversion Plants
 The main distinguishing features of such plant is the development of high head
resulting from the diversion of water.

5) Based on storage capacity

a) Run Of River (ROR) Plants
 Those Plants which do not regulate the hydrograph of the river by one or more
seasons.
 Utilize the minimum flow in a river having no appreciable pondage on its u/s.
 In this type of plant, weir or barrages construct across a river, simply to rise
and maintain the water level at certain height.
 Limited storage is used to meet hourly or weekly function of flow.
 Eg, Khimti(60 MW), Bhotekoshi ( 36 MW)

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 Fig 1: Layout of ROR Projects(Source: Researchgate.net)
b) Peaking run of river plants (PROR)
 The increased load during peak hours, ROR plants may be constructed with
pondage which can regulate daily or weekly hydrograph to run the plant under
full capacity. This type of Plant is known as peak run of river plant.
 Eg, Marsyangdi (69 MW), Middle Marsyangdi (70 MW).

c) Storage Plant
 Those plants which can regulate the hydrograph of the river by one or more
seasons are termed as storage plants.
 Dam is constructed to create a storage reservoir that develops the necessary
head for the powerhouse.
 Powerhouse is located at the foot of the dam or away from the dam.
 Water is carried through tunnel to powerhouse.
 Carry over from monsoon to dry storage.
 Suitable from medium to high head project.
 Eg, Kulekhani (60 MW), 2(32 MW), 3(14 MW).

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 Fig 2: Layout of Storage Type Projects(Source: Electricalleasy.com)
d) Pump Storage Plants
 Plants having water reservoir at u/s as well as d/s of powerhouse, which
collects water in the u/s reservoir by pumping water from d/s reservoir using
cheaper energy.

1.6 Components of ROR, PROR and Storage Type Projects

The hydropower components of PROR, ROR and Storage type projects and their functions
are;

a) Diversion Weir
 It is type of structure place across the river to divert a part of river flow(water) to
the various water conveyance systems through the intake.

b) Intake
 It is a structure to divert water into a conduit leading to the power plant or simply
defined as a structure to divert water to a waterway.

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  Trash Rack screen are provided entry of floating debris and coarse bed load into
the water conveyance system.
 It is well equipped with a control gate to regulate flow down the conveyance
system.

c) Gravel Trap
 A gravel Trap shall be required to flush out bed sediments that enter the
approach canal back into the river.
 The necessity of a gravel trap may arise awing to faulty design of the river
intake.
 The gravel trap is constructed close to intake in order to prevent gravel from
getting into the approach channel.
 The main function of the gravel trap is to collect the bed load, smaller than the
trash rack opening size, entering through it to the approach canal.

d) Settling Basin
 It is the structure to remove suspended sediments from the conveyance water
for Power plant.
 It shall be designed to ensure that the water entering the water conveyance
system is free from sediments that can damage the penstock and turbines
runner due to abrasion.
 This can be achieved by reducing the turbulence level in the water flow to
allow suspended sediments particles to settle out from water body and deposit
on the bottom of the basin.
 The settled sediment is subsequently discharge back into the river through a
flushing arrangement consisting of flushing gate and canal.

e) Headrace Conveyance
 Usually, a canal or tunnel or Pipe or a combination of these for the purpose of
delivering design flow to the forebay or surge tank with a minimum energy
losses.

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f) Forebay
 The structure located at the beginning of the penstock shaft satisfying the
function of supply required flow to the turbine during start up, accommodate
the reject flow during shut down, reduce water hammer effect is called
forebay
 The forebay is equipped with a time screen/trash rack to prevent floating
debris into the penstock pipe and ultimately to the turbines.
 It serves as a secondary settling basin as well and a sediment sluice to remove
settle suspended particles

g) Surge Tank
 It is located between the headrace pressure conduit and the steeply sloping
penstock pipe.
 In some instances, Surge tanks are applied both upstream of the penstock and
downstream of the powerhouse.
 It is generally a cylindrical storage reservoir which is connected to a penstock
pipe close as possible to the turbine.
 The main function of surge tank is to protect the long pressure tunnel and
penstock pipe from high water hammer effect caused due to sudden
acceptance and rejection of loads and to use or to receive or store water when
the turbine is decreased.

h) Penstock
 It is a pipe that conveys the flow from the forebay or surge tank to the turbine
that are designed to carry water to the turbines with the least possible loss of
head consistent with the overall economy of the project.

i) Anchor Blocks
 An anchor block is an encasement of a penstock designed to restrain the pipe
movement in all durations.
 These structure prevent the pipe from sagging and becoming overstressed.
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 j) Powerhouse
 It is the structure complex where all the equipments for providing electricity
are suitably arranged.
 Two basic requirements for powerhouse planning are functional efficiency and
aesthetic beauty.

k) Tailrace
 It disposes the design flow discharged by hydraulic turbine after power
generation.

1.7 Status of Hydropower in Nepal

Nepal’s electricity consumption is among the lowest in the world. Only 14 per cent of the
population has electric lighting at home. In rural areas, less than five per cent of the
population has access to electricity, but a number of large-scale hydro power projects are
currently under construction.

Governmental policies have stressed the potential for microhydro schemes to provide
economically productive mechanical and electrical services for the people living in the hilly
regions. Although the country has the potential of generating 43,000 megawatts of
hydropower, only 327 megawatts have been developed thus far. The government has put into
place a number of legal and institutional provisions to encourage hydro power development.
These provisions have been successful in legalizing and standardizing the facilities, subsidies
and cooperation to be provided to the private sector. This strategy has been adopted to ensure
that smaller schemes come on line at regular intervals and provide a better match between
growths of supply and demand. In the mid-1990s, the government reinstated the policy of
providing a direct subsidy of 50 per cent(in remote mountain regions 75 per cent) for
electrical components used in micro hydro systems. This subsidy is equivalent to about 20
per cent of the total cost, which is typically $1,600 per kilowatt. Credit is also available for
micro hydro schemes from the Agricultural Development Bank of Nepal, including a line of
credit available for rural development from the Asian Development Bank. (NEA, 2016)

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 CHAPTER 2 : SETI HYDROPOWER PROJECT

2.1 Introduction
Seti Hydropower Station is a run of river type with installed capacity of 1.5 MW and design
generation of 9.8 GWh consisting of 3 units each 0.5 MW. It is located at Nadipur, Pokhara
and was commissioned in 1985 AD with assistance from Government of People’s Republic
of China and Government of Nepal. The power canal for this power station is jointly used for
irrigation purposes looked after by Department of Irrigation and hence, the operation of this
power station is affected by irrigation as well. Weir and radial gate are used near the intake
for the diversion of water from river to intake. The cumulative generation of Seti HPS has
reached 254.77 GWh till 2011/12 from its first run. The station has generated 11.62 GWh in
FY 2010/11 and 10.41 GWh in FY 2011/12 with decrease of 10.37%. The station contributed
0.25% of the total energy in the INPS in 2011/12.

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2.2 Location Map

Figure 3: Seti Hydropower Project, Kaski

2.3 Salient Features of SHPP

Type :Run of River

Location :Nadipur, Pokhara

Installed capacity :1.5MW

Annual average energy :9.8 GWh

Maximum Net head :22.5 m

Total length of the waterways :7.7km

Penstock :1 No., 90m long, 22.4m, steel lined

Turbine

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Number and Type :3, Horizontal Francis

Rated discharge :2.96m3/s

Rated output :543kW

Rated speed :500rpm

Generator

Rated output :625kVA

Rated voltage :6.3kV

Rated frequency :50Hz

Power factor :0.8

Power transformer :650kVA, 6.3/11kV, 3 Nos.

Transmission line 11kV

Source: Nepal Electricity Authority Generation operation and maintenance

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2.4 Some Pictures of SHPP

Figure 4 : Seti Hydropower Headworks

Figure 5: U/S of Intake of Seti Hydropower

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 Figure 6: Weir of Seti Hydropower

Figure 7: Radial Flushing Gate of Seti HPP

‘

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 Figure 8: Intake of Seti HPP

Figure 9: Gravel Trap of Seti HPP

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 Figure 10: Desanding Basin of Seti HPP

Figure 11: Penstock Pipe and Powerhouse of SHPP

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Figure 12: Turbine used in SHPP

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 CHAPTER 3: FEWA HYDROPOWER PROJECT

3.1 Introduction
Fewa hydropower station is a canal drop type power station having an installed capacity of
1.0 MW and located at Pardi, Birauta, Pokhara with an annual design generation of 6.5 GWh.
It consists of 4 units each 0.25 MW. It was commissioned in 1969 AD and developed jointly
by Government of India and Government of Nepal. The public encroachment of power canal
leading to power house is a concern for normal operation regardless of the availability of
generating units. Currently, three units are in operation and Unit No. 4 is not in operation due
to problem in generator turbine coupling. The main Canal starts from the barrage which is
located at one end of Fewa Lake at a popular tourist destination called Dam site.

3.2 Location Map

Figure 13: Fewa Hydropower Project

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3.3 Salient Features of Fewa Hydropower Project

Type :Canal Drop

Location :Baidam, Pokhara

Installed capacity :1.0 MW

Annual average energy :6.5GWh

Maximum Net head :74.68m

Total length of the waterways :1.0 km

Turbine

Number and Type :4, Horizontal Francis

Rated speed :1000 rpm

Generator

Rated output :288 kW

Rated voltage :400 V

Rated frequency :50 Hz

Power transformer :350kVA, 0.4/11kV, 4 Nos.

Transmission line :11 kV

(Source: Nepal Electricity Authority Generation operation and Maintenance)

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3.4 Some Pictures of Fewa Hydropower Projects

Figure 14: Fewa Dam

Figure 15: Penstock Pipe and Powerhouse

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 CHAPTER 4: TANAHU HYDROPOWER PROJECT

4.1 Introduction
Tanahu Hydropower Project is located on the right bank of Seti River, about 150 km west of
Kathmandu near Damauli, the district headquarters of Tanahu District. This is the storage
type project, which is planned to have an installed capacity of 140 MW with an estimated
annual energy generation of 585.7 GWh. The Project is designed for at least six hours of
peaking operation during the driest months of the year. This will play a vital role in Nepal’s
seasonal energy security and reduction of energy import.

The outputs of the Project will be i) a 140 MW hydropower plant and related transmission
system— 37 km, 220 kilovolts (kV)—made operational ii) increased rural electrification
(covering 17,636 households).The Project will expand access to clean and sustainable energy
in Nepal. Its outcome will be increased efficiency and reliable supply of hydropower energy.

4.2 Location Map

Figure 16: Tanahu Hydropower Project, Tanahu

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4.3 Salient Features of Tanahu Hydropower Project
The Tanahu Hydropower Project consists of the following main components:

 A concrete gravity dam with a maximum height above foundation level of 140m and
an estimated total concrete volume (including dam body, spillway, and appurtenant
structures) of over 920,000 m³.
 A 25km long storage reservoir with a total volume of some 295 million m³.
 An underground tunnel of 7.4m diameter and 1,388.75 length.
 An underground powerhouse with two Francis Turbines and an installed capacity of
140 MW and capable of generating on average some 585.7 GWh of electricity during
the first 10 years of operation.
 Major Construction Packages
a) Package 1- Headworks
b) Package 2- Waterway, Powerhouse and Related Equipments
c) Package 3- 220 kV Transmission Line

4.4 Some Pictures of THP

Figure 17: Construction site of THP (Source:thl.com.np)

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 Figure 18: Draft Tube Tunnel of THP (Source:thl.com.np)

Figure 19: Underground Tunnel of THP (Source: thl.com.np)

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Conclusion
We gain the practical knowledge about the different component of the hydropower plant. We
also get the knowledge of the current situation of the hydropower plant and the current
problem in the plant. We also got the chance to make the comparison between the different
hydropower plant. Overall we got the chance to see what we have read in theory. In such a
way We completed our Hydropower tour at Pokhara meeting all our objectives in a fruitful
way.

Bibliography
 http://conference.ioe.edu.np/ioegc10/papers/ioegc-10-022-10034.pdf
 https://www.academia.edu/22523306/Hydropower_field_report_pokhara
 https://www.britannica.com/science/hydroelectric-power
 https://www.researchgate.net/
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seti_Hydropower_Station
 https://web.archive.org/web/20200616163551/https://www.nea.org.np/generation/
index.php
 https://thl.com.np/(updated on Jan-2023)
 Manual Of Hydropower Engineering ( Authors: Er. Birendra Pandit, Er. Rajan
Pandey, Er. Surendra Katwal)

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