The Impact of Small HPP’s in the Energy Balance of Albanian Power System

Abstract

Abstract.The global trend of electrical energy price, in the conditions of a normal economic development, increases progressively. Albania is a developing country and the consume of electrical energy per individual is growing up during the two last decades. The hydropower installed capacity of Albania is only 35% of hydropower potential.The increase of generating capacity in the Albanian Power System and therefore the increase of the electricity production is one of the most high priorities of the policy sector. This has made possible, through construction of new generation facilities and optimal use of existing generation capacities, to ensure harmonization of all aspects related to indicators of operation security of the system, the quality of service of the good electrical energy and its cost. This paper presents the development performance of generation capacities focused to the economic aspects as well as to the impact of Small Hydro Power Plants (SHPPs) in the country's energy production balance.

Impact of Small Hydropower Plant on Improvement of Voltage Level and Energy Efficiencies

“…Where: I 1 is the phasor phase current U 1 is the phasor phase voltage The magnitude of the current is given by:…”

“…However, liberalization of the electricity industry in some areas has contributed to the development of small hydropower generating capacity by independent power producers [1]. In recent years, the interest of building small hydropower plants by operators working in the field of energy production is increased.…”

“…Due this reason the power quality, mainly south Albania area is not at good and optimal conditions. It seems at low voltage levels of nodes in this part of Albania and significant transmission power losses [1]. Also during winter season when the demand pulls in the pick, the transmission lines are loaded at maximal capacity.…”

“…Small hydropower plants built in Albanian have been contributed to improve power quality, to reduce total power losses in transmission line and to increase efficiency of electricity consumption. Power generation from small hydropower plants is directly linked to the strategic objectives for the evaluation and development of hydropower capacity unused in Albania through private investment partnership or concessionary schemes [1].The presence of local generation in a distribution system will affect the distribution system. For example, the distributed generated will alter the power flow in the distribution system, and the distribution system can no longer be considered as a system with unidirectional power flow [5].…”

“…The power generated from SHP is quite large. The use of hydroenergytic reserves through construction of small hydropower plants, has not only the increase of the production of electricity but also some other too important advantages [4] In last year's in Albania are built several small hydropower plants with a total capacity about 200MW [1]. Small hydropower plants built in Albanian have been contributed to improve power quality, to reduce total power losses in transmission line and to increase efficiency of electricity consumption.…”