Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate

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Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate

• Micro- and mini hydropower

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NVEs main responsibility

• The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy
  Directorate is a directorate under the Ministry
  of Petroleum end Energy and is responsible for
  the management of Norways water and energy
  resources.
• NVEs function is to ensure an integrated and
  environmentally sound management of Norways
  water resources, promote an efficient energy
  market and cost-effective energy system and take
  initiative to promote efficient energy use.
• The Directorate has a central role in national
  flood contingency planning and has the overall
  responsibility for maintaining national power
  supplies.

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Organization chart
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Micro- and mini hydropower
Micro- and Mini Hydropower in Norway focus on
rural electrification and/or extra
income/ reduced expenses for the farmer
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Micro- and mini hydropower

• Micro hydro is power stations less than 100 kW
• Mini hydro is power stations between 100 and 1000
  kW
• Small hydro is power stations between 1000 kW and
  10 000 kW . The phrase small hydro is also
  often used for all power stations less the 10 000
  kW.

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Micro- and mini hydropower

• Norway started generation of electricity from
  hydro power development 120 years ago. Over a
  period of 50 years a large number of small hydro
  was commissioned, and in 1929 we had more than
  1300 stations in operation with output less than
  1000 kW. The technology was purchased from
  Germany and England, and the power enhanced local
  production of furniture, cloths and other
  products, which benefited from new electrical
  machinery.

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Micro- and mini hydropowernumber
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Micro- and mini hydropowerNVE supported projects

• 1999 - 2000 SKM project Lessons learned by
  implementing micro- and mini hydro in Norway.
• 2000- 2001Small hydro union, detailing issues
  derived from the SKM project and other new
  information.
• 2000 - 2002MGK project highlighted development
  in protected rivers, and micro - and mini
  hydropower influence on the local economy.

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Micro- and mini hydropowerNVE supported projects
- SKM Results
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Micro- and mini hydropowerNVE supported projects
- SKM Results

• The rules and regulations are difficult to
  understand
• A guide book is needed
• The different authorities (NVE, Directorate for
  Nature conservation, County and Municipality)
  should co-ordinate their control and licensing
  work better

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Micro- and mini hydropowerNVE supported projects
- SKM Results

• NVE must implement the same tariff and policy in
  all the distribution companies
• NVE must secure that adequate information is
  available and regularly updated.
• It is a need to improve know-how and access to
  information on the electricity market

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Micro- and mini hydropowerNVE supported projects
- SKM Results

• Need for improved financing pakages and know-how
• Need for technical guiding. 25 had experienced
  problems with intake, and 30 had bad experience
  with the electro- and mechanical equipment.

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Micro- and mini hydropowerNVE supported projects
- MGKResults

• 62 possible hydropower plants are located
• The plants will have a total capacity between 5
  and 15 MW, and produce 50-90 GWh depending on
  release of compensation water
• Approximately 100 of electricity consumption in
  the Municipality could be covered

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Micro- and mini hydropowerNVE supported projects
- MGKResults

• 13 of the 62 projects have serious environmental
  conflicts with the idea of hydropower free
  watercourse
• Total investment is approximately NOK 150 mill
• Construction activity over a period of 10 years
  will develop local business, and the need for
  support during the many years of operation can
  justify a local maintenance workshop.

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Micro- and mini hydropowerNVE supported projects
- MGKResults

• Annual benefit for the municipality could be NOK
  20 mill.
• Money saved are better than money earned. The
  hydropower activity is supplementary to farming,
  and because of need for few maintenance hours
  weekly, it allows the farmer to continue being a
  farmer.
• The scale factor is important and the largest
  plants have the best economic viability, but.
• Own use of the power is the most important for
  the economy

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Micro- and mini hydropowerNVE supported projects
- MGKwhat now?

• The Report is useful for the local area planning
  and energy planning
• The Report has been discussed in the
  Municipality, and they are now busy preparing an
  application for licence for 40 of the 62 projects
  in phase 1, and will present the rest in phase 2
  next year when they feel the negative
  environmental impacts have been sorted out.
• Other surrounding Municipalities are now planning
  to embark on similar studies.

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Micro- and mini hydropower2002

• NVE has NOK 3 mill for improving the present
  situation, and by research and development
  enhance technical solutions and competence to
  reduce the worst cases of disasters

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Micro- and mini hydropower2002

• NOK 850 000 for supporting a test laboratory to
  clear the way for Norwegian certificates for
  turbine solutions. Also field test activities are
  included.
• NOK 300 000 to support research on new intake
  technology
• NOK 250 000 to support research on the use of
  offshore drilling technologies as a substitute
  to penstocks, and extending life of old penstocks
  by using inflatable rubber pipes.

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Micro- and mini hydropower2002

• NOK 250 000 to support activities in the newly
  formed Small Hydro Association, which are of
  common interest.
• NOK 500 000 to improve an existing guide book on
  planning, financing, construction and operation
  of small hydro power plants
• NOK 600 000 to start the mapping of micro- and
  mini hydro resources in Norway by using GIS
  technology together with electronic hydrology
  maps and cost curves.

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Micro- and mini hydropower2002

• NOK 250 000 for seminars and miscellaneous
  activities
• We have 20 projects on a wait list with
  proposals
• advanced tools for remote operation
• low cost turbine development
• low cost gates
• distance learning
• and more
• The NVE activity will continue next year

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Small Hydro less than 100 kW
6 kW farm hydro
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Small Hydro less than 100 kW
6 kW farm hydro
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Micro- and mini hydropower2002

• The 6 kW farm plant was inaugurated in 1992, and
  has successfully been in operation for 10 years.
• It has produced approximately 430 000 kWh during
  these 10 years, and thus generated saving on the
  electricity bill for the farmer in the order of
  approximately NOK 250 000
• The plant had a total construction cost in 1992
  of NOK 120 000 in addition to his own working
  hours, and the farmer received a lump sum from
  NVE of NOK 50 000 because this was a test plant
  for micro hydro development.