A global-scale hydropower potential assessment and feasibility evaluations

Abstract

Assessing the possible locations and evaluating the spatial distribution of hydropower potentials at the global and regional scale is crucial for planning future energy development activities. This study assesses run–of–river-based hydropower potential and evaluates potential sites under technical, economic, and environmental constraints globally. The study used the recent (1965–2014) global runoff dataset (0.5° x 0.5° resolution) for design discharge computation and 90 m × 90 m resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM) covering 90°N-60°S for topographical analysis. The design discharges (Q_d) calculated for 30%, 75%, and 95% flow dependability were used in the assessment and evaluations. Further, the economic feasibility of identified potential sites was evaluated by developing empirical relations derived from the observed cost of electromechanical equipment to corresponding head (H) and installed power (P). Globally a theoretical hydropower potential of 25.48 Peta watt-hours per year (PWh/yr) at 95% flow dependability to 184.17 PWh/yr at 30% flow dependability was estimated. The energy ranges from 7.06 PWh/yr to 49.05 PWh/yr are technically feasible for the design discharge calculated from 95% to 30% flow dependability, respectively. After excluding environmentally unsuitable and economically less competitive (Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCoE) > US$ 0.1/kWh) potential sites, it was estimated that an exploitable hydropower potential of 5.42 PWh/yr at 95% flow dependability to 39.56 PWh/yr at 30% flow dependability would be available globally.