The potential hydro energetic assessment of the river in Albania with a monthly discharge flow estimation module

Abstract

This thesis assesses the hydropower potential of a river in Albania using an estimation module that calculates the monthly discharge (surface and ground water) based on input variables such as monthly precipitation, intensity and frequency of rainfall, snowfall, air temperature and solar radiation as well as regional specific discharge. The monthly discharge simulations of this module help in a rapid assessment of the hydropower potential if no observed discharge data are available. The module is designed as a lumped, deterministic rainfall-runoff model. It is calibrated, validated and tested with observed discharge data from the Institute of Energy, Water and Environment of Albania, AKBN, and other official sources. The thesis specifically focuses on the Vjosa river. Potential sites for the construction and installation of new runoff hydropower plans with low dams at the Vjosa river are identified and the expected annual average power generation is estimated. The effect of future climate change on the power generation is also assessed.