Survey Investigation and

Power Potential Studies

Nipun Pharlia
Manager, Project Engg.
NTPC LTD.
 SURVEY AND INVESTIGATIONS

Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of hydro power projects prepared by all concerned utilities
are submitted to CEA for techno-economic approval. These are also examined by the Central
Water Commission (CWC) for hydrology design, safety and cost estimates of civil structure
aspects.

DPRs need to get clearance from the Central Soil and Material Research Station (CSMRS) from
construction material aspects and the Geological Survey of India (GSI) from geological
aspects.

Survey and Investigation of hydropower projects constitute a four stage programme viz. (i)
Pre-feasibility State, (ii) Feasibility Stage, (iii) Detailed Investigation(DPR) Stage and (iv)
Construction Stage.
 VARIOUS ACTIVITIES OF SURVEY &
INVESTIGATION (S&I)
a)River surveys
b)Reservoir surveys
c)Head works surveys (dams, barrage, weir, etc)
d) Plant sites and colonies
e)Canal, branch canals, and water conductor system
f)Major canal structures
g)Power house, switch yard, surge shaft, tail race tunnel(s), adits, penstocks etc
Surveys for command area including Ground Confirmation Survey
j)Soil surveys
k)Soil conservation
l)Construction material surveys.
m)Any other i.e. Archeological, Right of way, communication etc.
 VARIOUS SURVEYS
Topographical Survey:
The Survey of India (SOI) has published topographical maps covering the whole country in 1:2,50,000
and 1:50,000 scale. Besides SOI has also published topographical maps of many parts of the
countryin1:25,000 scale and they are already on the job of producing maps in1:25,000 scale for the
whole country.

Reservoir Area Survey:

This survey should cover elevation upto5m + MWL; the contour interval is influenced by slope
characteristics.The scales normally chosen are given as follows:Water spread upto 2 square km -
1:2000 Water spread upto 10 square km - 1:5000Water spread more than 10 square km - 1:10,000

Survey for Power Channel:

The width of the area considered forcontoured map/survey is 150m on either side of the center line
ofthe channel. The scale of the map should be 1:2000 to 1:5000.
 VARIOUS SURVEYS
Survey for tunnel
The project area maps are used for initial geological mapping and fixing of alignment of tunels,
adits etc. inconsideration with the required rock cover. Later for detailed studies and layout
finalization 100 m to 400 m wide strip along the tunnel alignment in a scale of 1:2000 to 1:5000 is
considered.

Hydrological & Meteorological Survey

Rainfall Gauge Discharge, Sediments, Water quality, Evaporation, Availability of water for the
benefits envisaged Design flood for various structures

Environment and Forest surveys

These surveys / studies are carried out on the following aspects Environmental survey Forest area
involved Likely displaced persons
 Stages of Investigation
Pre-Feasibility Stage
It is more of a desk study with limited field checks. Based on the 1 :50000or 1 :25000 scale Survey of
India toposheets, possible hydroelectric sitesare marked.

Feasibility Stage
After selecting the site during Pre-feasibility stage, intensive fieldtraverses are under taken. Detailed
survey like contour plans and sectionsin 1: 1 000 to 1 :5000 scale are prepared for various important
structuressuch as dam, tunnels, powerhouse, etc. One or two alternate axis areprobed by detailed
geophysical survey and a few drill holes to ascertaindepth and quality of bed rock besides carrying
out broad geologicalmapping & collection of regional geological information.

Detailed Investigation (DPR)

StageDetailed geological mapping is undertaken during this stage. For dam,ancillary structures &
power house it is recommended to use 1 :1000scale with 2.5m contour interval for geotechnical
assessment. Forreservoir area, construction material sites, access roads the mapping iscarried out
on 1 :5,000 to 1: 15,000 with 5m to 10m contour interval.
 Power Potential Studies
a) Configuration
Prior to carrying out simulations, the physical characteristics of the development, its hydraulic links and down
stream points of discharges are to be defined.
b) Hydrological Data
Hydrological Data consists of sequences of uncontrolled natural inflows into the reservoirs.
c) Evaporation Data
The month wise evaporation rate in the reservoir (in mm) is required for simulation.
d) Physical Characteristics
The physical dimensions of the reservoir constitutes the basis for the determination of head on the Power
Plant. Storage availability has a direct impact on the possible degree of regularization. Area capacity curve,
minimum and maximum operating levels for reservoir i.e. Full Reservoir Level (FRL) and Minimum Draw Down
Level (MDDL) are required for simulation. Similarly for power house, the tailrace rating curve, turbine and
alternator efficiency and head losses in water conductor system are taken into account for calculation of power
production.
e) Operating Objectives and Limits
The objective of the simulation may be the maximization of firm power, maximization of average energy
production or limitation of the number of energy failures. Similarly the operating limits may also be fixed on the
minimum or maximum values of discharges through power house to cater to downstream irrigation
requirements etc, if any.
STUDIES FOR HYDRO POWER PROJECTS

Topographical Study
Geological & Geotech Study
Hydrological Study
Meteorological Study
Seismic Study
Socio-Economic Study
EIA Study
Construction Material Survey
Transportation Study
Disaster Management Studies
 NEW PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
DETAILED SITE
IDENTIFICATION OF SELECTION & SITE CLEARANCE OF
POTENTIAL SITES PREFR MOEF

STATUTORY
SITE SPECIFIC STUDIES
/ INVESTIGATION - CLEARANCES/
FEASIBILITY COMMITMENTS
REPORT

COST ESTIMATES &

FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
FINANCIAL
APPRAISAL BY FIs
INVESTMENT APPROVAL OF
THE PROJECT
 FR STUDIES AND INVESTIGATIONS

SOCIO-ECONOMIC
METEROLOGICAL STUDIES
STUDY
GEO-TECHNICAL
INVESTIGATION

CONSTRUCTION
MATERIAL SURVEY

TOPOGRAPHICAL
SURVEY FR PREPARATION
EIA
STUDIES

HYDROLOGICAL
STUDY
TRANSPORTATION SEISIMIC
STUDY STUDIES
DISASTER
MANAGEMENT
STUDIES
 DPR PREPARATION
SURVEYS &
MAPPING
COST ESTIMATE
GEOLOGY
GEO-TECHNICAL
ASPECTS CONSTRUCTION
MATERIAL SURVEY

SITE LAYOUT
FINANCIAL &
DPR PREPARATION ECONOMIC
EVALUATION

HYDROLOGICAL
STUDY
POWER POTENTIAL
CONSTRUCTIONAL &
METHODOLOGY& INSTALLED CAPACITY
EQUIPMENT PLANNING
ENVIRONMENTAL &
ECOLOGICAL ASPECTS
INITIAL STEPS
POWER POTENTIAL STUDY
CALCULATION OF DISCHARGE Q
CALCULATION OF HEAD
DETERMINATION OF INSTALLED CAPACITY
POWER POTENTIAL STUDY
DATAS ARE TAKEN ON 10 DAYS AVERAGE
POWER POTENTIAL IS ARRIVED AT 90% DEPENDABLE YEAR I.E.
POWER IS AVAIBALE FOR THE 90% TIME OF THE TOTAL YEARS
CONSIDERED
 Hydro Power Generation - PLANNING
Mean Ten Daily Runoff at Rupsiyabagar-Khasiyabara ( Site no 22) on Goriganga
Table - 5.3

Catchment Area =1235 Sq.

Km Unit : Cumecs

Annual
Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec average
21.77 17.28 27.21 26.56 42.03 85.24 146.40 271.47 248.91 73.02 32.52 21.84

1962 20.01 18.45 29.76 34.15 48.56 93.30 146.84 278.90 188.64 61.42 27.88 19.20 80.63

18.99 22.60 34.08 42.45 50.84 129.19 155.27 233.50 141.54 41.82 23.77 16.84

15.79 11.06 18.04 20.39 41.02 78.98 171.65 266.95 220.24 55.24 29.66 21.12

1963 14.52 11.81 19.73 26.22 47.39 86.44 172.16 274.26 166.91 46.46 25.43 18.56 75.92

13.78 14.47 22.60 32.59 49.61 119.70 182.05 229.61 125.23 31.63 21.68 16.28

15.69 10.90 12.22 16.99 24.64 60.42 167.50 198.69 220.72 60.97 29.35 21.33

1964 14.43 11.64 13.37 21.85 28.47 66.13 168.00 204.12 167.28 51.29 25.16 18.75 65.89

13.69 12.67 15.31 27.16 29.80 91.57 177.65 170.90 125.51 34.92 21.45 16.44

16.18 12.61 17.75 22.15 31.02 64.34 111.75 138.77 128.99 36.57 22.59 16.98

1965 14.88 13.47 19.42 28.49 35.83 70.42 112.08 142.57 97.76 30.76 19.37 14.93 50.30

14.12 16.50 22.24 35.40 37.51 97.51 118.52 119.36 73.35 20.94 16.51 13.09

12.56 10.52 11.35 11.70 28.41 63.32 126.68 217.15 144.67 37.71 22.06 16.46

1966 11.55 11.24 12.41 15.05 32.82 69.30 127.06 223.10 109.64 31.72 18.91 14.47 56.45
10.96 13.77 14.21 18.71 34.36 95.97 134.36 186.78 82.26 21.60 16.13 12.69

12.46 8.94 9.60 11.33 19.56 55.02 137.46 223.34 177.11 48.59 25.97 19.46
1967 11.46 9.54 10.50 14.56 22.60 60.22 137.87 229.45 134.22 40.87 22.26 17.11 59.18

10.88 11.69 12.03 18.10 23.66 83.39 145.79 192.10 100.71 27.83 18.98 15.00

16.38 12.37 18.34 17.75 36.67 80.78 168.98 214.01 152.44 53.18 27.45 19.46

1968 15.06 13.21 20.05 22.82 42.37 88.41 169.48 219.87 115.53 44.73 23.53 17.11 66.12

14.29 14.38 22.96 28.36 44.35 122.43 179.22 184.08 86.68 30.45 20.06 15.00
Hydro Power Generation - PLANNING