Abstract

Due to high costs of power transmission and shortage of production, the power transmission to the long distance areas in Iran and other developing countries entails considerable problems. On the other hand, because the remote regions are far-off the main network and the roads to such areas are difficult to pass; supply of power to such regions through the power system network is impractical and uneconomic. Hence, providing such areas with electric power using existing water potentials will be of high importance. Micro hydroelectric power plants enjoy considerable advantages over other power plants, capable of supplying such areas with power depending on the situation and conditions.

This paper investigates the locating of suitable points for installation of micro hydroelectric power plant in Lorestan province for supplying power to the remote regions far from the main network. For this purpose, at first the Drainage basins and river network of the province is studied. Then the rural power conditions in the province are reviewed. Next, the recommended location for installation of the power plant is specified based on the obtained indexes. Finally, the capacity estimation of the produced power in the study area and the economic calculations thereof is presented.