Author(s): Shiva Aryal and Bhumika Sharma

Abstract: Run-off-the-river (RoR) hydropower project are the key component for sustainable energy development in context of Nepal, more specifically in hilly and mountainous regions. But due to constraints like limited resources and harsh topography, preliminary assessment of hydropower potential is challenging. This study majorly deals with the development of Python-based tool (Potential Estimator) to detect temporal change for Rehabilitation, Upgradation and Modernization (RUM) of existing project and to compute hydropower potential of RoR projects using hydrological data and Digital Elevation Models (DEMs). This tool takes flow data (long-term daily, long-term monthly or monthly) and computes mean monthly flow to generate Flow Duration Curve and design discharge. It integrates DEM based elevation analysis to calculate gross head between the provided upstream and downstream section coordinates. This model also takes head loss percentage with respect to gross head into consideration for determining net head and overall efficiency to estimate installed capacity of proposed hydropower in megawatts. Flow duration curve and calculations that have been carried out by model can be extracted in image and CSV file format respectively for documentation and validation. Potential Estimator uplifts the transparency, reproducibility and accessibility in initial stage of hydropower planning and can serve a benchmark for future improvement.

DOI: 10.22271/27078302.2026.v7.i1b.85

Pages: 64-73 | Views: 217 | Downloads: 77

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