Parameters affecting electricity production in hydroelectric power plants- a case study in Şırnak

The demand for energy is increasing due to both population growth and industrial development. As non-renewable energy sources become insufficient to meet this demand, the focus is shifting towards renewable energy sources. Hydroelectric power plants, which utilize renewable hydraulic energy, are preferred to help bridge this energy gap. In this study, various parameters affecting electricity production in hydroelectric power plants were analyzed by collecting data from the turbines, energy production, pressure, water used for energy generation, generator voltage, grid voltage, frequency, and head measurements at the Zagros Energy Production Inc. located in the Silopi district, and Elbi Electric Production Manufacturing Construction Industry and Trade Co. Ltd. located in the Uludere district of Şırnak province. Additionally, data on the average monthly atmospheric pressure (hPa), average temperature (°C), average relative humidity (%), and average precipitation (kg/m²) from the nearest Automatic Meteorological Observation Stations to the hydroelectric plants for the years 2020-2023 were obtained from the Şırnak Governorate Meteorology Directorate. The study also calculated the capacity factors, efficiencies, and the impact of various parameters on energy production, including the actual energy produced in 2022 at the Zagros and Elbi hydroelectric plants, the monthly average temperature, actual pressure, precipitation levels, relative humidity, and flow rates through the turbines. The research findings indicate that the mentioned parameters are influential. At the Zagros Hydroelectric Power Plant (HEP), the lowest energy production in 2022 occurred in April with 1,156 MWh, while the highest was in December with 1,506 MWh. At the Elbi Hydroelectric Power Plant, the lowest energy production was in August with 5 MWh, and the highest was in May with 1,550 MWh. However, upon examining energy production efficiency, it was found that at Zagros HEP, the highest production in 2022 was actually in January, not December. At Elbi HEP, the lowest production in 2022 was in February and March, not August. These findings suggest that higher energy production in a hydroelectric plant does not necessarily imply greater efficiency. In terms of capacity factor, the highest value at Zagros HEP was recorded in December at 89.38%, while the lowest was in April at 68.61%. At Elbi HEP, the highest capacity factor was in May at 67.76%, while the lowest was in August at 0.2%. The analysis demonstrates that there is a direct correlation between capacity factor and energy production.