EP 1130-2-500
27 Dec 96
APPENDIX H
HYDROPOWER EVALUATIONS CONSIDERATIONS
H-1. The following provides additional information specifically for preparing hydropower major
rehabilitation evaluation reports. The definitions provided in the guidance are general in nature.
The terminology used in these definitions may have different meanings within the power industry.
H-2. Reliability. For a hydropower project reliability can be further defined as the extent that the
generating equipment can be counted on to perform as originally intended. This includes (1) the
confidence in the integrity of the equipment based on maintenance cost, availability and forced
outage experience; (2) the output of the equipment in terms of energy, power output, and
efficiency (restoration of lost output); and (3) the dependability of the equipment in terms of
remaining service life (retirement of equipment).
H-3. Efficiency Improvement. This category is synonymous with uprating within the hydropower
industry. This involves increasing the project's output, in terms of energy and/or capacity, beyond
the original design. For reports submitted under this program and guidance, the efficiency
improvement (uprating) category should be used in connection with correction of a reliability
problem in that any proposed efficiency improvement (uprating) would be taking advantage of the
economic opportunities available. In many cases a reliability driven rehabilitation project for a
hydropower plant will have some incidental increase in outputs (capacity and/or energy) due to
improvement in technology. Such incidental increases should be documented as to what
additional costs, if any, are incurred, and what portion of the benefits are attributable to the
efficiency improvement (uprate). Presently uprating of power plants in the absence of an
identified and quantified reliability problem have low priority in this program.
H-4. Reliability/Risk Analysis. The reliability/risk analysis for hydropower (and other electro-
mechanical) equipment takes a different form than what is used for structures. Much of the
hydropower analysis is based on a function of equipment condition indices and survivor curves,
instead of the calculations discussed in this guidance. The reliability analysis for hydropower
equipment should be prepared by the Hydroelectric Design Center (CENPD-PE-HD), in
accordance with ER 1110-2-109.
H-5. O&M Costs and Test Data. As a part of the evaluation report all relevant O&M costs
needs to be presented. The more historical cost data that is available the better the future
projections. These costs are especially important for auxiliary equipment that may not have a
major impact on power revenues or benefits.
a. Field test data for turbines and generators is mandatory to demonstrate the loss of
efficiency and/or capability. Test data on each unit is desirable. However, if it is not practical to
obtain individual data, an explanation of the rationale used to apply the assumed condition or
performance of untested equipment is needed.
b. All test data must be presented in a format that will show the results, the go/no go
values and the conclusions. A narrative on what tests were performed and the results will be
useful for the non-technical reviewer. Where appropriate, the complete test data may be
submitted with the report as an appendix or as a separate report.
H-1
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