Identification of Suitable Locations for Micro Hydro Power Stations Using Geospatial Technology

In the present study, GPS, GIS, and remote sensing techniques were employed for identifying the suitable locations to set up micro hydropower stations on the major distributory (D-83) of Kakatiya main canal on Godavari river, Andhra Pradesh, India. The study deals with evolving the geomatic approach to identify suitable locations. Canal plan and profile have been identified by using toposheets and contours of canal area with one kilometer buffer on both sides are generated in GIS environment. Identification of suitable locations for setting up hydropower stations is done by integrating multisource datasets in GIS platform. Twenty-six locations of suitable sites along the total length of the D-83 canal are identified as suitable to set up small power plants. Heads of 1.219 m, 1.829 m, 2.438 m, 3.048 m, and 3.657 m along the total length of the D-83 canal have been identified as suitable to set up small power plants.