The Blue Water Footprint of Electricity Production from Hydropower Plants in Iran

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Ph.D. Student, Faculty of Water Sciences, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Faculty of Water Sciences, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Iran

3 Professor, Faculty of Water Sciences, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Iran

4 Associate Professor, School of Environment, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Hydroelectric power plants are a global potential for electricity production. Common types of hydroelectric power plants use dams on rivers to store water in reservoirs. They consume water by evaporation from the reservoir surface. This is a major issue in hydrology and water resources, which results in the availability of water resources. In this regard, the concept of water footprint was used to calculate the water consumed in the process of generating electricity from these plants.  In this study, to calculate the water footprint in electricity produced in hydropower plants of the country, data on the annual evaporation volume (m3) and annual electricity generation (m3/TJe) from 17 hydropower plants in Iran for the period of 2010 to 2017 is analyzed. The results showed that on average, the largest water footprint in electricity produced by Droudzan power plant was 287649 (m3 / TJe) and the lowest was related to Masjed Soleyman power plant, being equal to 405 m3 / TJe. The annual average water footprint in electricity production from Iranian hydropower plants was estimated at 3694.82 (m3 / TJe).

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Main Subjects

References

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Iranian journal of Ecohydrology
Volume 6, Issue 4
January 2020
Pages 913-919

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History

  • Receive Date: 21 April 2019
  • Revise Date: 15 August 2019
  • Accept Date: 15 August 2019

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