The analysis of the hydropower potential of small streams in the Eastern Black Sea region

Key words: Hydroelectric energy; small hydropower; energy requirement and potential balance Among 26 hydrological basins in Turkey, the Eastern Black Sea Basin (EBSB) has great advantages from the view point of small hydropower (SHP) potential. So, in this study, the SHP potential of Turkey and especially EBSB are investigated. In this basin, rivers in the province of Trabzon, Rize and Giresun was selected as a research basin due to their higher SHP potential than the other provinces in this basin. In the present study, the SHP potential of these rivers are calculated by using some measured data and obtained SHP potential values from various local governmental offices. In the present thesis, there are four sections such as: In the first section; Turkey?s hydroelectric power potential discussed as an overview and the advantage and disadvantages of SHP plants are discussed detailed. In the second section; the small rivers in the province of Trabzon, Rize and Giresun at the EBSB was selected as a research area due to their higher SHP potential than the other provinces in the EBSB. So, the SHP potential of these small rivers was calculated by using obtained measured data for these rivers. In the third section; the calculated SHP values for the small rivers in the province of Trabzon, Rize and Giresun and the total potential of the other provinces in the EBSB are discussed for meeting the electric energy demand of the basin. In the fourth section; the studied and obtained results are summarized and some scientific results was presented for future studies in the EBSB. As a result; in the studied provinces, the SHP potential will not meet the present and future electric energy demand of these provinces with alone. So, in order to meet the electric energy demand, the hybride energy sources must be used.