Performance of small reservoirs in Tulang Bawang Watershed for microhydro power plant

¹ Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science, Universitas Teknokrat Indonesia, Indonesia
² Faculty of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia
³ Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Andalas, Padang, Indonesia
⁴ School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh, UK

^* Corresponding author: nurulhadie@gmail.com

Abstract

Recurring floods in the Tulang Bawang River have led to significant losses. In response, the government and local engineers have taken steps to manage flood events and harness excess water for electrical energy generation through the construction of five small reservoirs in the Tulang Bawang watershed. This study evaluates the performance of these reservoirs as micro-hydro power plants, with the aim of mitigating energy challenges in Lampung Province. To achieve this goal, we collected and analyzed hydrological data and calculated the potential electrical power output for each reservoir. By utilizing a 50- meter waterfall height, the sub-watersheds of Way Giham, Way Umpu, and Way Tahmi, with a combined water holding capacity of approximately 2 million cubic meters, are capable of generating around 3 MW of electrical power per reservoir. Similarly, Way Tuba and Way Basei sub-watersheds offer a potential of approximately 4 MW of electrical power per reservoir. Based on these calculations, it is evident that the small reservoirs in the Tulang Bawang watershed hold substantial potential for contributing to the electrical power supply, thereby addressing Lampung Province's energy challenges. These findings underscore the significance of utilizing available water resources to meet energy demands and promote sustainable development in flood-prone areas.