Criteria development for the data selection process to compile the Zambian hydropower atlas

Abstract

The data selection criteria and evaluation frameworks for the evaluation of hydropower potential sites to be included in the Zambian Hydropower Atlas were developed in this study. These were developed for six types of hydropower namely: i) Run-of-river hydropower, ii) Hydropower generated at dams iii) Hydropower generated from Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTWs), iv) Weir hydropower, v) Hydrokinetic Hydropower generated from Canals, and vi) Conduit Hydropower generated in Bulk Water Supply Systems. The frameworks were developed from a detailed literature review and data collection process that was conducted. The selection criteria and evaluation frameworks were applied to selected case studies to show the inclusion or exclusion of some potential sites in the Zambian Hydropower Atlas. It was observed that the development of the data evaluation frameworks is limited by data availability. It was recommended that the developed evaluation frameworks should only be considered to give a first-order evaluation of hydropower potential.