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Background
1.1 Project description:
Pumped storage hydroelectricity is a type of power generation used by some other power plants for load balancing. It is only method of large scale electrical energy storage in widespread use today. The basic concept is simple. Energy is stored as hydraulic potential energy by pumping water from a low-level into a high-level reservoir. When recovery of energy is required, the water is returned to the lower reservoir through turbines which drive electrical generators. It helps on load balancing only. No extra energy is added, it only stores electrical energy and provides it according to need. However we dont have any extra or off-peak energy in our system during dry period but during wet period we would have enough amount of energy to pump water. So seasonal Pumped storage hydropower can be integrated in our system to cover the peak demand. The energy used in pumping a volume V of water of density and through a height h with a pumping efficiency p E1= (gh/3600* p) MWH... (1) The energy recoverable with a regeneration efficiency g

E2= (gh * g /3600) MWH. (2) Where g is the acceleration due to gravity Typically, the overall efficiency (E2/E1) = g * p; which is in the range 70-80 %

1.2 Description of problem:

Currently we are facing daily load shedding of 12 hours. To overcome this, we are using inverters and other devices to store electrical energy for our household works. We are also using petroleum products to run diesel plant and thermal plant. During the era of energy crisis we are using non-renewable energy recklessly. But then this stored energy cannot be used to run an industry or do other works which consumes huge amount of electrical energy. These energy storing devices have become one of the major consumers of grid energy which is actually hindering NEA in solving electrical load crisis. However this problem can be solved by integrating Pumped Storage Hydropower in electrical system. Pumped storage acts as large battery for storing electrical energy from grid during off-peak periods. And we can use this energy during peak demand for our daily activities and also use it in industrial sector.
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Hence, this scheme will help in peaking capacity and also load balancing. Pumped storage hydropower is environmental friendly as it is pollution free and is renewable source of electricity.

1.3 Review of work already done:

Few works have already been done in this field. Students of Geomatics engineering have done the bathymetry of Begnas and Rupa Lake. They have also prepared hypsography of both the lake. A renowned organisation in the field of hydropower has also done study on the feasibility of Pumped storage in Rupa and Begnas Lake.

1.4 Rationale for taking up the project

The enormous potential of Nepal in field of electrical power production is not hidden from anyone. But it is our incompetency that we have not become able to extract the energy according to our demand. The annual peak demand during the driest period i.e. on Jan 13 th 2012 is 1026.65 MW at 6:25 pm. And the current installed capacity of Nepal is 718.621 MW but Nepal is supplying only 380 MW to 500 MW during dry period. Hence we are facing a daily load-shedding of 12 hours. But during wet season when we are producing 718.621 MW, we are still facing a daily load shedding of 4 hours mainly during 7 a.m.-10 a.m. in morning and 5 p.m.-9 p.m. during evening. According to load curve of Nepal we have enough off-peak energy which can be used to overcome load shedding by installing Pumped storage hydropower in current electrical system. NEA is also commencing a 400 kV Dhalkebar- Muzzaffarpur double circuit cross border transmission line to import 150 MW of electricity. Also there are number of hydropower projects presently under construction both in the public sector as well as in the private sector. Some are planned for implementation. With the commissioning of all those hydropower projects, substantial surplus energy is expected to be available especially during the night hours in the summer months. Then the pumped storage hydropower plant we are proposing can run throughout the year. The alluring topography and presence of two natural reservoirs in form of Begnas Lake and Rupa Lake with net head of 50 m in 500 m horizontal stretch describes the need of project.

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2. Description of proposal
2.1 Objective of the project
The objectives of the project are as follows: To To To To To To To To To To To calculate the inundation area in Rupa lake predict necessary methods for slope stabilization of Rupa lake shore determine the capacity of pumped storage hydropower in Rupa and Begnas lake design intake, dam and powerhouse for pumped storage hydropower perform the structural analysis of purposed dam find the transmission distance from powerhouse to nearest grid estimate the cost of different components of hydropower study the geology of site using geotechnical investigations design the cross-section of the tunnel conduct socio-economic survey at site predict environmental impact due to project implementation

2.2 International status and National status

Pump storage was first installed by manufacturing industries in Italy and Switzerland in the 1890s to enable them to store surplus night-time output from run-of-river hydro stations for use in meeting their peak power requirements the following day. Japan, USA, Italy, Germany, France and Spain are the worlds leading countries in terms of installed capacity of pumped storage projects, including those under construction. For countries with topography and geological conditions suitable for pumped storage projects sites, one measure of the extent of utilization of pumped storage capacity is the percentage of the total electric capacity that is provided by the pumped storage. Austria stands out as the country having the highest percentage of pumped storage capacity on its electric system. Pumped storage provides approximately 17 percent of Austrias total generation capacity. Austria is followed by Switzerland, Spain, Italy and Japan. Japan is far ahead of all other countries in the advancement of pumped storage technology and its utilization. In context of Nepal we dont have any pumped storage hydropower in our electrical system. But we have storage type of project which is used during peak demand i.e. Kulekhani-I & II

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2.3 Relevance of the project in Nepalese context

The peak power demand this year has increased by 8.5 % from previous year. The electricity demand is increasing day-by-day and proportionally the peak is also increasing. But we know that Nepal is not in a state of implementing large capacity hydropower for another 6 8 years. So we must choose another means to overcome the peaking problem. Until we have enough off-peak energy during dry period; seasonal (i.e. during wet season) Pumped storage hydropower seems to be feasible and cost effective in following ways: We have naturally located reservoirs with a net head of 50 m The distance between two lake/reservoirs is only 500 m The geology of the area is suitable for construction of tunnel and powerhouse There is constant inflow into Begnas lake Begnas Lake will itself function as a surge tank so no need to construct a surge tank The cost of the project will be reduced due to naturally available reservoirs Peaking problem will be solved The project will certainly boost the tourism of the area

2.4 Preliminary investigation done by institution

We presented on PUMPED STORAGE AND ITS PROSPECTS IN NEPAL : A Case Study of Rupa and Begnas lake in project competition organised by Civil Engineering Students Society Nepal (CESS-NEPAL), Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk Campus, Lalitpur. Also students from Geomatics engineering have done bathymetric survey of both lake and have produced hypsographic graph of both the lakes. This graph gives the relation between depth and volume of water at that particular depth.

2.5 Review of the available expertise within the institution and host organisation
S.N.
1. 2. 3. 4.

Name Prof. Dr. Ramesh Kumar Maskey Dr. Chandra Prakash Poudel Er. Khimananda Kandel Er. Kalidas Neupane

Expertise Hydropower Geology Hydropower Hydropower

Organisation Kathmandu University Kathmandu University EPSOM Engineering Consultancy Pioneer Engineering Consultancy

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3. Challenges and Constraints

Like any other technology, pumped storage is not free from setbacks either. Various limitations are outlined below. The technique is currently the most cost-effective means of storing large amounts of electrical energy on an operating basis, but capital costs are huge Massive civil engineering works are required Permanent visual impact on the landscape can have adverse effect on fisheries and wild life if not designed properly. Efficiency of energy expended to that recoverable is in the order of 70-82%. It cannot be used as base load station as it can only generate for limited hours. It is simply a large scale energy storage system and should not be confused with renewable system. The choice may be further limited by environmental constraints and the distance of sites from the major generation and load centers. Working only during wet season will increase payback period. Design of morning glory intake will be difficult.

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4. Methodology
4.1 Desk study
Planning is the initial stage of any development work. And to plan our project perfectly we are studying the works in the field of development of Pumped storage hydropower. We are collecting data required for our work. For our project work we are studying the annual reports that have been published by NEA; to establish the relation between present demand and supply, future demand and supply and other sources of energy available in grid except hydropower. We are studying the topography & geological maps of the area. We discussed about the need and feasibility of the project with our supervisors. We will also study the works done by other organization or institution in this field.

4.2 Survey Work

For our project work we have to go to the site for survey. Following survey work will be carried out to collect necessary data for our project: 4.2.1 Survey of shoreline of Rupa Lake To find the inundation area of Rupa Lake we have to perform detailed survey of Rupa shoreline. The perimeter of the shore is 8.85 m. We will prepare contour map with contour interval of 1 m and find the inundation area. 4.2.2 Survey of Dam, Intake, Tailrace & Powerhouse site As there is need of dam at the outlet of Rupa Lake, we will carry out necessary survey work to fix the dam axis. We will also survey the intake, tailrace and powerhouse site and will produce a detailed contour map of the area. 4.2.3 Socio-economic survey For conducting socio-economic survey of the area, we will prepare a set of questionnaires and go door to door to collect the answers. 4.2.4 Geological survey We will study the nature and type of rock and its orientation at dam site, intake and powerhouse site. We will also see for presence of folds and faults. Only preliminary level geological survey will be done. To study the geology of the area we will be accompanied by Dr. Chandra Prakash Poudel (faculty, DCGE, KU).

4.3 Preparation of Rupa shoreline map

A contour map of Rupa lake shoreline will be prepared from the survey data.

4.4 Calculation
The calculation works that would be done in our projects are presented under following subheadings:
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4.4.1 Calculation of Inundation area The inundation area will be calculated from the contour map. We will calculate the inundation area for maximum and minimum discharge from Begnas to Rupa Lake. The inundation area will be different for different option of power generation. 4.4.2 Calculation of Power The power of Pumped storage hydropower will be calculated at different discharge available. While deciding the plant capacity, the surplus energy available from the system to pump the water will be considered.

4.5 Design
The design work of following components will be done. Intake Dam Powerhouse Cross-section of tunnel

4.6 Drawing
Detailed drawing of each component will be done in AutoCAD.

4.7 Report preparation and submission

After the completion of the project a report of all the findings and design will be prepared and submitted at DCGE for final evaluation.

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5. Time schedule / Work plan

WORK PLANNNED
DESK STUDY AND LITERATURE REVIEW PREPARATION FOR FIELD WORK SURVEY WORK DATA HANDLING AND ANALYSIS CALCULATION DESIGN COST ESTIMATE FEASIBILITY AND POTENTIALITY CHECK FINAL REPORT PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION

WEEK WEEK WEEK WEEK WEEK WEEK WEEK WEEK WEEK WEEK 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

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6. Budget
The estimated budget of the project is shown below. Table No.2: Estimated Budget for pumped storage project

S.N. Description 1 Survey Instrument a Total Station b Tape c GPS d Manpower 2 3 4 a b c d Bus fare Lodging Fooding breakfast lunch breakfast dinner

No. Cost 2 Rs. 2,000.00

Unit Rs./day

total Rs. 60,000.00 Rs. Rs. Rs. 9,000.00 Rs. 69,000.00 Rs. 6,000.00 Rs. 22,500.00

remarks for 15 days from CEPTE from CEPTE Hire two way for 15 days

2 5 5

Rs. Rs. Rs.

300.00 600.00 300.00

Rs./day TOTAL Rs./ person Rs./ person

5 5 5 5

Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs.

50.00 150.00 80.00 170.00

Rs./ person Rs./ person Rs./ person Rs./ person TOTAL

Rs. 3,750.00 Rs. 11,250.00 Rs. 6,000.00 Rs. 12,750.00 Rs. 33,750.00 Rs. 10,000.00 Rs. 1,41,250.00

Miscellaneous GRAND TOTAL

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7. Output of the project

The outputs of the project can be summarised as: Clear concept regarding possibility of Pumped Storage in our current electrical system Preparation of contour map of Rupa Lake shoreline Prediction of inundation area The distance between powerhouse and nearest national grid for power evacuation Need of the project in the area and in Nepal Design of intake, Dam, Powerhouse and tunnel

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8. Likely impact
It will not be false to say that each project has some impact on nature or on mankind. While some projects have undesirable impacts more than the favourable one; Pumped storage hydropower seems to have less adverse effects on living and non-living environment. Few of the likely impacts have been listed below: Inundation of the Rupa lake Slope failure due to inundation of the shoreline of Rupa Lake Slight increase of temperature of both lakes due to constant cycling of lake water. Aquatic life will be affected severely during operation Tourism will be affected slightly

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9. Reference

Nepal Journals Online, Hydro Nepal: Journal of water, Energy and Environment, volume 5 (2009), Nepal Electricity Authority(NEA), http://www.nea.org.np/ NEA Annual Report 2009 ,

Nepal Electricity Authority(NEA), http://www.nea.org.np/ Nepal Electricity Authority(NEA), http://www.nea.org.np/

NEA

Annual

Report

2010

NEA

Annual

Report

2011

Nepal Electricity Authority(NEA), http://www.nea.org.np/

NEA

Annual

Report

2012

Electricity Crisis (Load Shedding) in Nepal, Its Manifestations and Ramifications, Ratna Sansar Shrestha .

Electrical Energy Storage - Large Scale (August 2009) Amit Kumar Lohiya, MIT, Manipal. Water Power Development (Volume 2 High head power plants), Emil Mosony.

Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Pumped Hydroelectricity ROAM report on Pumped Storage modeling for AEMO 100%, Renewables project, 24 September 2012.

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