Environmental Impact Hydropower Calculator

Formulas

The Environmental Impact Calculator estimates key impacts:

• GHG Emissions Avoided (\( E_a \)) = \( P \times H \times EF \)
• Land Use (\( L_u \)) = \( R_a \)
• Fish Displacement (\( F_d \)) = \( Q \times F_f \)
• Where:
  • \( P \) = Power capacity (kW)
  • \( H \) = Operational hours (4000 hours/year, assumed)
  • \( EF \) = Emission factor (0.5 kg CO₂e/kWh, avoided vs. fossil fuels)
  • \( R_a \) = Reservoir area (km², 0 for run-of-river)
  • \( Q \) = Average river flow (m³/s)
  • \( F_f \) = Fish flow factor (1000 fish/m³/s/year, approximate)

How to Use

1. Enter the power capacity (in kW) in the “Power Capacity” field.
2. Enter the reservoir area (in km², 0 for run-of-river) in the “Reservoir Area” field.
3. Enter the average river flow (in m³/s) in the “Average River Flow” field.
4. Optionally, click an adjust button to set typical values (e.g., Small Capacity).
5. Click “Calculate Impact” to see the estimated environmental impacts.
6. Scroll to the “Results” section for details.

Examples

1. Example 1: Power = 500kW, Reservoir = 0 km², Flow = 1 m³/s
   GHG Avoided ≈ 500 × 4000 × 0.5 = 1,000,000 kg CO₂e/year; Land Use = 0 km²; Fish Displacement ≈ 1 × 1000 = 1000 fish/year
2. Example 2: Power = 1000kW, Reservoir = 5 km², Flow = 2 m³/s
   GHG Avoided ≈ 1000 × 4000 × 0.5 = 2,000,000 kg CO₂e/year; Land Use = 5 km²; Fish Displacement ≈ 2 × 1000 = 2000 fish/year
3. Example 3: Power = 200kW, Reservoir = 0 km², Flow = 0.5 m³/s
   GHG Avoided ≈ 200 × 4000 × 0.5 = 400,000 kg CO₂e/year; Land Use = 0 km²; Fish Displacement ≈ 0.5 × 1000 = 500 fish/year