RETScreen revealed

Opportunities for implementing commercially viable, energy efficient and renewable energy technologies (RETs) are currently being missed because various planners and decision-makers still do not routinely consider them at the critically important initial planning stage, even when technologies like small hydro have proven to be cost-effective and reliable in similar situations elsewhere. The RETScreen International Clean Energy Decision Support Centre, which is managed by Natural Resources Canada’s CANMET Energy Technology Centre in Varennes, is focused on overcoming this barrier.

The RETScreen International Clean Energy Project Analysis Software developed by the centre can be used worldwide to evaluate the energy production, life-cycle costs and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions for various types of proposed technologies. The RETScreen Software also includes integrated product, cost and weather databases and a detailed online user manual, all of which help reduce the time and costs associated with preparing pre-feasibility studies.

Each RETScreen technology model – a small hydro project, for example – is developed within an individual Microsoft Excel spreadsheet ‘Workbook’ file composed of a series of worksheets. These worksheets have a common look and follow a standard approach for all technology models to facilitate decision making. The five-step standard analysis approach is presented in Figure 1.

The principal benefit of using the software is that it requires a relatively small amount of input data to run (annual or monthly data in the RETScreen model compared to hourly data for competing simulation models). The market reality is that the vast majority of possible projects do not have hourly data (e.g. electricity or heating loads) so hourly simulations performed by other models do not necessarily provide more accurate results, and these models are typically more difficult and expensive to run due to intensive data requirements. Even with this reduced data requirement, the RETScreen software provides results at an accuracy that is more than sufficient for pre-feasibility studies.

Energy modelling experts, cost engineering experts, greenhouse gas modelling specialists, financial analysis professionals, and ground station and satellite weather database scientists have contributed to the development, testing and validation of the RETScreen software. In addition, to help ensure that the model produces results that decision-makers can trust, third party experts have validated the algorithms in comparison with measured data and/or hourly simulation models.

Currently, the software can be used to evaluate the eight technologies as follows: small hydro; wind energy; photovoltaic; solar air heating; biomass heating; solar water heating; passive solar heating; and ground-source heat pumps.

Models for other clean energy technologies are currently under development, including a new Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Model.

Small Hydro Project Model

The RETScreen small hydro project model provides a means to assess the available energy at a potential small hydro site that could be provided to a central grid or, for isolated loads, the portion of this available energy that could be harnessed by a local electricity utility. The model addresses both run-of-river and reservoir developments, and it incorporates sophisticated formulae for calculating efficiencies of a wide variety of hydro turbines.

Seven worksheets – Energy Model; Hydrology Analysis & Load Calculation; Equipment Data; Cost Analysis; Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Analysis; Financial Summary; and Sensitivity & Risk Analysis – are provided in the small hydro project workbook file.

The Energy Model, Hydrology & Load and Equipment Data worksheets are completed first. The Cost Analysis worksheet should then be completed, followed by the Financial Summary worksheet. The GHG Analysis and Sensitivity worksheets are optional analyses.

The GHG analysis worksheet is provided to help the user estimate the GHG mitigation potential of the proposed project. The sensitivity worksheet is provided to help the user estimate the sensitivity of important financial indicators in relation to key technical and financial parameters. In general, the user works from top-down for each of the worksheets. This process can be repeated several times in order to help optimise the design of the small hydro project from an energy use and cost standpoint.

The small hydro project model provides the user with two different methods of estimating project costs: the ‘Formula’ and the ‘Detailed’ costing methods. All the hydro cost equations used in the ‘Formula’ costing method are empirical, based on data collected over 20 years for both large and small hydro facilities. If used correctly, the ‘Formula’ costing method will provide a base-line cost estimate for a proposed project.

The ‘Detailed’ method allows the user to estimate costs based on estimated quantities and unit costs. The use of this costing method requires that the user estimate the size and the layout of the required structures.

In order to use the RETScreen model, the user may require certain information that can be obtained from topographic maps. In cases where a previous hydrological assessment has been undertaken for the site in question, the pertinent data can be used in the model. If the available head, or drop in elevation, at a site is unknown, a site visit will be required to measure the head unless detailed mapping is available.

Various algorithms are used to calculate, on an annual basis, the energy production of small hydro power plants in RETScreen. A flowchart of the algorithms is shown in Figure 2. User inputs include the flow-duration curve and, for isolated-grids, the load-duration curve. Turbine efficiency is calculated at regular intervals on the flow-duration curve. Plant capacity is then calculated and the power-duration curve is established. Available energy is simply calculated by integrating the power-duration curve. In the case of a central-grid, the energy delivered is equal to the energy available. In the case of an isolated-grid, the procedure is slightly more complicated and involves both the power-duration curve and the load-duration curve.

Calculation of Available and Delivered Energy

The RETScreen small hydro model calculates the estimated renewable energy delivered in MWh based on the adjusted available flow (adjusted flow-duration curve), the design flow, the residual flow, the load (load-duration curve), the gross head and the efficiencies/losses. The calculation involves comparing the daily renewable (hydro) energy available to the daily load-duration curve for each of the flow-duration curve values.

Turbine efficiency curve

Small hydro turbine efficiency data can be entered manually or can be calculated by RETScreen. Calculated efficiencies can be adjusted using the Turbine manufacture/design coefficient and Efficiency adjustment factor in the Equipment Data worksheet of the model. Standard turbine efficiencies curves have been developed for the following turbine types: Kaplan; Francis; Propellor; Pelton; Turgo; Cross-flow.

The calculated turbine efficiency curves take into account a number of factors including rated head (gross head less maximum hydraulic losses), runner diameter (calculated), turbine specific speed (calculated for reaction turbines) and the turbine manufacture/design coefficient. The efficiency equations were derived from a large number of manufacture efficiency curves for different turbine types and head and flow conditions.

For multiple turbine applications, it is assumed that all turbines are identical and that a single turbine will be used up to its maximum flow and then flow will be divided equally between two turbines, and so on up to the maximum number of turbines selected. The turbine efficiency equations and the number of turbines are used to calculate plant turbine efficiency from 0-100% of design flow (maximum plant flow) at 5 % intervals. An example turbine efficiency curve is shown in Figure 3 for one and two turbines.

Power available as a function of flow

Actual power P available from the small hydro plant at any given flow value Q is given by the following equation, in which the flow-dependent hydraulic losses and tailrace reduction are taken into account:

P = p.g.Q. [H_g – (h_hydr + h_tail)].e_t.e_g. (1 – l_trans).(1-l_para)

where p is the density of water (1000kg/m³), g the acceleration of gravity (9.81m/sec²), H_g the gross head, h_hydr and h_tail are respectively the hydraulic losses and tailrace effect associated with the flow; and e_t is the turbine efficiency at flow Q . Finally, e_g is the generator efficiency, l_trans the transformer losses, and l_para the parasitic energy losses; e_g, l_trans, and l_para are specified by the user in the Energy Model worksheet and are assumed independent from the flow considered.

Hydraulic losses are adjusted over the range of available flows based on the following relationship:

where l_hydr,max is the maximum hydraulic losses specified by the user, and Q_des the design flow. Similarly the maximum tailrace effect is adjusted over the range of available flows with the following relationship:

where h_tail,max is the maximum tailwater effect, i.e. the maximum reduction in available gross head that will occur during times of high flows in the river. Q_max is the maximum river flow, and the tailwater effect is applied only to river flows that are greater than the plant design flow (i.e. when Q>Q_des).

Power-duration curve

Calculation of power available as a function of flow for all 21 values of the available flow Q’₀, Q’₅, K, Q’₁₀₀ used to define the flow-duration curve, leads to 21 values of available power P₀, P₁, K, P₁₀₀ defining a power-duration curve.

An example power-duration curve is shown in Figure 4, with the design flow equal to 3m³/sec.

Calculation of available energy

Available energy is determined by calculating the area under the power curve assuming a straight-line between adjacent calculated power output values. Given that the flow-duration curve represents an annual cycle, each 5% interval on the curve is equivalent to 5% of 8760hr (number of hours per year). The annual available energy E_avail (in kWh/yr) is therefore calculated from the values P (in kW) by:

where l_dt is the annual downtime losses as specified by the user. In the case where the design flow falls between two 5% increments on the flow-duration curve (as in Figure 5) the interval is split in two and a linear interpolation is used on each side of the design flow.

The amount of renewable energy actually delivered depends on the type of grid to which the plant is connected.

Renewable energy delivered: central-grid

For central-grid applications, it is assumed that the electricity grid is able to absorb all the energy produced by the small hydro power plant. Therefore, all the energy available will be delivered to the central grid and the renewable energy delivered, E_dlvd , is simply:

E_dlvd = E_avail

Renewable energy delivered: isolated-grid

For isolated-grids, the procedure is slightly more complicated because the energy delivered is actually limited by the needs of the local electricity grid, as specified by a user-defined daily load-duration curve. The following procedure is used: for each 5% increment on the flow-duration curve, the corresponding available plant power output (assumed to be constant over a day) is compared to the load-duration curve (assumed to represent the daily load demand). The portion of energy that can be delivered by the small hydro plant is determined as the area that is under both the load-duration curve and the horizontal line representing the available plant power output. Twenty-one values of the daily energy delivered G₀, G₅, K, G₁₀₀ corresponding to available power P₀, P₅, K, P₁₀₀ are calculated. For each value of available power P_n, daily energy delivered G_n is given by:

where P’_n,k is the lesser of load L_k and available power P_n:

P’_n,k = min (P_n,L_k)

User Manual, Training Course, Textbook & Case Studies

The RETScreen International Online User Manual is a ‘Help file’ directly linked to each RETScreen technology model Microsoft Excel workbook file. It is cursor location sensitive and therefore gives the help information related to the cell where the cursor is located. There is a tremendous amount of information available within the manual, including cost data and typical range of values for various input parameters that help the user properly prepare their pre-feasibility studies.

More detail on all of the features of the model including training material, the e-Textbook and case studies can be found at www.retscreen.net. All are available in English and French, free-of-charge.

Model Limitations

There are some limitations associated with the small hydro model. First, the model has been designed primarily to evaluate run-of-river small hydro projects. Although the evaluation of storage projects is possible, a number of assumptions are required. Variations in gross head due to changes in reservoir water level cannot be simulated. The model requires a single value for gross head and, in the case of reservoir projects; an appropriate average value must be entered. The determination of the average head must be done outside of the model and requires an understanding of the effects of variations in head on annual energy production. Second, for isolated grid applications in isolated areas, the energy demand has been assumed to follow the same pattern for every day of the year. For isolated locations where energy demand and available energy vary significantly over the course of a year, adjustments will have to be made to the estimated amount of renewable energy delivered. Changing the ‘Available flow adjustment factor’ in the Energy Model worksheet does this.

International Uptake

Since its release in May 1998, more than 42,000 users in 200 countries have licensed a copy of the software (free-of-charge) from the centre, as depicted in Figure 6. Demand is growing at about 200 new users per week and significant growth is now taking place with the number of RETScreen users projected to grow substantially over the coming years.

The RETScreen small hydro project model condenses in an easy-to-use format a wealth of information, and it should be of great assistance to engineers, planners and financial institutions involved in the preliminary evaluation of small hydro projects.

Author Info:

Kearon Bennett is with Ottawa Engineering Limited, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

E-mail him at: kjb@ottawaengineering.com

The other authors of this article were Gregory J. Leng, Nathalie Meloche, Farah Sheriff, Alexandre Monarque, Urban Ziegler, Ron Alward and Amélie Richard of RETScreen International, Varennes, Quebec, Canada.

E-mail: rets@nrcan.gc.ca

Website: www.retscreen.net

In addition to the core team at CETC-Varennes, more than 140 additional people have been directly involved in the development and support of RETScreen International, with roughly 20 to 50 people working with the core RETScreen team during the course of the year. They include expert staff from the RETScreen partner organisations such as UNEP, NASA, the World Bank and other Government of Canada programmes, as well as experts from a number of private-sector firms. In addition to the authors of this article, many other people contributed to the development of the RETScreen Small Hydro Project Model, including Guy Painchaud, Ève-Line Brouillard, Michael Ross, Vadim Belotserkovsky, Jean-Michel Parouffe, Carolyn Luce, and Nartin Hamel of GPCo Inc.; Jim Gordon, hydro consultant; Didier Thevenard of Numerical Logics; Pierre Hosatte of TN Conseil; Mark Radka, Eric Usher and Joergen Fenhann of UNEP; Frank Lecocq of the World Bank; Binu Partham of IT Power India; Jacuqes Mailhot and Michel Tremblay of SNC-Lavalin; Pascale Brière of Acres International; and Chris Weyell of Sigma Engineering.