Small Hydroelectric Engineering Practice
Synopsis
Small Hydroelectric Engineering Practice is a comprehensive reference book covering all aspects of identifying, building, and operating hydroelectric schemes between 500 kW and 50 MW. In this range of outputs there are many options for all aspects of the scheme and it is very important that the best options are chosen.
As small hydroelectric schemes are usually built against a limited budget it is extremely important that the concept design is optimum and every component is designed to maximise the benefit and minimise the cost. As operating costs are often a high proportion of the income it is very important to make sure that everything is designed to be simple, reliable and long lasting.
The book is based on the experience gained over 45 years on the overall and detailed design, construction and commissioning of more than 30 small hydropower schemes. It includes contributions from experts in the field of intakes, water diversion structures, geology, canals, painting and other aspects of hydropower development. It is intensely practical with many drawings and photographs of schemes designed and commissioned by Leyland Consultants and others. There are also sections on preparing specifications, tender assessment and operation and maintenance. Nearly 1000 copies have been sold so far.
The book includes a CD with spreadsheet programs for analysing aspects of small hydropower development and many arrangement drawings and detail designs for gates, penstocks, electrical systems and control systems. Typical specifi cations for generating plant are also included. The spreadsheets will be useful during the feasibility stage and the drawings will enable designers to scale the designs as needed for their own projects. Consultants, developers, designers, builders and operators of small hydroelectric schemes will find this book invaluable.
Preface
My first involvement in hydropower was in West Africa in 1967 where I was responsible for commissioning a small scheme associated with a water supply dam. I returned to New Zealand in 1970 and, since then, small hydropower development has been my main occupation.
In 1974 I set up a consulting firm that merged with Sinclair Knight Merz in 1998 and I finally retired from full-time employment in 2002. Over that period, we were responsible for many small hydro projects and developed many innovative solutions. There were no experienced designers and fabricators of hydraulic steelwork in New Zealand so we were responsible for detailed designs and shop drawings for equipment such as gates, screen cleaners, penstocks and stoplogs. We also purchased turbines and generators on separate contracts and let separate contracts for all the power station equipment such as cranes, pumps, cooling water systems, control gear, switchgear, transformers and then co-ordinated the contracts, supervised erection and commissioned the stations. As a result, we built up a broad range of expertise in the technology, the detail and overall design, and the operation of hydropower schemes.
Since 2002, I have maintained my involvement in hydropower and often reviewed feasibility studies and small hydro stations designed by other consultants in New Zealand and overseas and discovered that that many had serious shortcomings. This, and my involvement in the repair of stations that had suffered catastrophic failures, made me realise that Leyland Consultants accumulated experience was a valuable resource that could be of use to many other people around the world.
In 2010 I met Janjaap Blom of CRC Press/Balkema at a conference and asked him if there was any interest in a book on small hydropower. He responded enthusiastically: this book is the result.
Dec 2019 I have just discovered some errors in spreadsheet 1 on the CD. here is a corrected version.
Small Hydroelectric Engineering Practice is a comprehensive reference book covering all aspects of identifying, building, and operating hydroelectric schemes between 500 kW and 50 MW. In this range of outputs there are many options for all aspects of the scheme and it is very important that the best options are chosen.
As small hydroelectric schemes are usually built against a limited budget it is extremely important that the concept design is optimum and every component is designed to maximise the benefit and minimise the cost. As operating costs are often a high proportion of the income it is very important to make sure that everything is designed to be simple, reliable and long lasting.
The book is based on the experience gained over 45 years on the overall and detailed design, construction and commissioning of more than 30 small hydropower schemes. It includes contributions from experts in the field of intakes, water diversion structures, geology, canals, painting and other aspects of hydropower development. It is intensely practical with many drawings and photographs of schemes designed and commissioned by Leyland Consultants and others. There are also sections on preparing specifications, tender assessment and operation and maintenance. Nearly 1000 copies have been sold so far.
The book includes a CD with spreadsheet programs for analysing aspects of small hydropower development and many arrangement drawings and detail designs for gates, penstocks, electrical systems and control systems. Typical specifi cations for generating plant are also included. The spreadsheets will be useful during the feasibility stage and the drawings will enable designers to scale the designs as needed for their own projects. Consultants, developers, designers, builders and operators of small hydroelectric schemes will find this book invaluable.
Preface
My first involvement in hydropower was in West Africa in 1967 where I was responsible for commissioning a small scheme associated with a water supply dam. I returned to New Zealand in 1970 and, since then, small hydropower development has been my main occupation.
In 1974 I set up a consulting firm that merged with Sinclair Knight Merz in 1998 and I finally retired from full-time employment in 2002. Over that period, we were responsible for many small hydro projects and developed many innovative solutions. There were no experienced designers and fabricators of hydraulic steelwork in New Zealand so we were responsible for detailed designs and shop drawings for equipment such as gates, screen cleaners, penstocks and stoplogs. We also purchased turbines and generators on separate contracts and let separate contracts for all the power station equipment such as cranes, pumps, cooling water systems, control gear, switchgear, transformers and then co-ordinated the contracts, supervised erection and commissioned the stations. As a result, we built up a broad range of expertise in the technology, the detail and overall design, and the operation of hydropower schemes.
Since 2002, I have maintained my involvement in hydropower and often reviewed feasibility studies and small hydro stations designed by other consultants in New Zealand and overseas and discovered that that many had serious shortcomings. This, and my involvement in the repair of stations that had suffered catastrophic failures, made me realise that Leyland Consultants accumulated experience was a valuable resource that could be of use to many other people around the world.
In 2010 I met Janjaap Blom of CRC Press/Balkema at a conference and asked him if there was any interest in a book on small hydropower. He responded enthusiastically: this book is the result.
Dec 2019 I have just discovered some errors in spreadsheet 1 on the CD. here is a corrected version.
Reviews
Small Hydroelectric Engineering Practice by Bryan Leyland - Review by John P. Christensen P.E. Principal, Christensen Associates.
“Small Hydroelectric Engineering Practice” is an essential engineering reference book that belongs on the desk or bookshelf of planners, engineers, constructors or operators of small hydropower projects.
In addition to being a practical guide to small hydropower technology, this book also discusses the philosophy, planning process and potential pitfalls of small hydro development in a very straightforward way with many examples drawn from the author’s life-long career in the industry.
The challenge of small hydropower engineering is to develop cost-effective project solutions for each unique site with only limited resources. Many of the technical problems that must be identified and solved on large projects also must be addressed on small projects, but without large teams of engineering experts and substantial budgets. So the small hydro engineer needs to be a “Jack of most trades” who is familiar with a wide range of issues using a blend of technical analysis, engineering judgment, advice from equipment vendors and constructors, engineering judgment and hard-earned project experience to successfully plan and implement the project.
Mr Leyland’s book is a valuable technical resource and source of advice written in a very easy-to-read way with many helpful examples, photographs and illustrations. It describes how to assess the important characteristics of a small hydro project site. It then discusses conceptual design, refinement of the engineering design of the project, equipment procurement and development of technical specifications and bid documents.
Since Mr. Leyland’s own engineering background is mainly in mechanical and electrical engineering, the body of the book focuses on small hydro generation and operating equipment including turbines, generators, electrical systems, mechanical systems and the equipment aspects of hydraulic structures such as intakes, spillways, canals and penstocks.
As a true small hydro engineer, he also discusses important civil, hydrology, geotechnical and environmental aspects of small hydro development and provides references to other technical resources in these areas. The chapter devoted to lessons learned from plant failures is also extremely valuable – candid information about what happened and why is often very hard to find.
In addition to the discussion of small hydropower engineering issues in the book, Mr. Leyland provides a series of useful tools including spreadsheets, computer software, reference engineering drawings, technical papers and other technical references on plant optimization economic analysis, financial analysis and contract documents which are also valuable resources for the practicing small hydro engineer.
The included archive of engineering drawings from seven completed small hydropower projects in New Zealand is another rare and valuable resource for the small hydro engineer. These drawings show design details of typical small hydro intake gates, gate hoists, steel penstocks, penstock bifurcations, a typical small powerhouse arrangement, control systems schematics and a typical electrical single line diagram from a series of small medium-head hydropower plants. The drawings illustrate innovative solutions to design of custom equipment for small hydro projects and the overall level of detail needed to communicate the design to equipment suppliers and construction contractors.
In summary, “Small Hydro Engineering Practice” is a worthwhile addition to my “A” list of small hydro engineering reference documents. The combination of straightforward engineering guidance, practical experience, interesting anecdotes, lessons learned from failures and collection of useful engineering tools makes it a very worthwhile investment.
Review by Robert Shelton MIPENZ of Trustpower New Zealand
Bryan Leyland wrote this 254-page hardcover book with a CD, appendices and spreadsheets to pass on his knowledge – and indeed he is much to pass on: 50 years’ experience as a hydropower engineer, responsible for 26 new hydro schemes and 27 enhancements. Add to that an impressive background: the rare distinction being a Fellow thrice over (a Fellow of the Institution of Electrical Engineers (retired), the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand); The depth of this background comes through in the quality of the book. His background and network have enabled him to ask experts for valuable contributions intakes, geology and geotechnical engineering, canals, generators, corrosion protection and the economics and environmental aspects of hydropower development.
The book covers small hydropower projects ranging from 500 kW to 50 MW. It discusses the developmental phases of such schemes, from scheme identification, preliminary design, cost estimates, conceptual and detail design, construction, to commissioning and operation. It also incorporates the “building blocks” of hydroelectricity generation schemes throughout the developmental phases.
Unfortunately, a key “building block” – weirs and small dams – is not discussed in detail. The author acknowledges that, and directs the reader to the 900 page United States bureau of reclamation publication “Design of Small Dams”. A summary of the salient points with lessons learned would have been useful.
By systematically explaining the different scheme components, Mr Leyland’s book caters to a range of readers and keeps the book highly readable. He explained logically about the important decisions required when developing a scheme and suggests how to avoid repeating past mistakes. This lays the foundation for the subsequent detailed discussions including job specifications, contracts for procurement and installation.
The book also includes a CD of eight spreadsheets to assist consultants, engineers, owners and development of small hydro electricity schemes. It reads well using clear, conversational language to explain a complex subject without a lot of jargon. As a fellow hydropower enthusiast, I believe this book is an excellent reference.
“Small Hydroelectric Engineering Practice” is an essential engineering reference book that belongs on the desk or bookshelf of planners, engineers, constructors or operators of small hydropower projects.
In addition to being a practical guide to small hydropower technology, this book also discusses the philosophy, planning process and potential pitfalls of small hydro development in a very straightforward way with many examples drawn from the author’s life-long career in the industry.
The challenge of small hydropower engineering is to develop cost-effective project solutions for each unique site with only limited resources. Many of the technical problems that must be identified and solved on large projects also must be addressed on small projects, but without large teams of engineering experts and substantial budgets. So the small hydro engineer needs to be a “Jack of most trades” who is familiar with a wide range of issues using a blend of technical analysis, engineering judgment, advice from equipment vendors and constructors, engineering judgment and hard-earned project experience to successfully plan and implement the project.
Mr Leyland’s book is a valuable technical resource and source of advice written in a very easy-to-read way with many helpful examples, photographs and illustrations. It describes how to assess the important characteristics of a small hydro project site. It then discusses conceptual design, refinement of the engineering design of the project, equipment procurement and development of technical specifications and bid documents.
Since Mr. Leyland’s own engineering background is mainly in mechanical and electrical engineering, the body of the book focuses on small hydro generation and operating equipment including turbines, generators, electrical systems, mechanical systems and the equipment aspects of hydraulic structures such as intakes, spillways, canals and penstocks.
As a true small hydro engineer, he also discusses important civil, hydrology, geotechnical and environmental aspects of small hydro development and provides references to other technical resources in these areas. The chapter devoted to lessons learned from plant failures is also extremely valuable – candid information about what happened and why is often very hard to find.
In addition to the discussion of small hydropower engineering issues in the book, Mr. Leyland provides a series of useful tools including spreadsheets, computer software, reference engineering drawings, technical papers and other technical references on plant optimization economic analysis, financial analysis and contract documents which are also valuable resources for the practicing small hydro engineer.
The included archive of engineering drawings from seven completed small hydropower projects in New Zealand is another rare and valuable resource for the small hydro engineer. These drawings show design details of typical small hydro intake gates, gate hoists, steel penstocks, penstock bifurcations, a typical small powerhouse arrangement, control systems schematics and a typical electrical single line diagram from a series of small medium-head hydropower plants. The drawings illustrate innovative solutions to design of custom equipment for small hydro projects and the overall level of detail needed to communicate the design to equipment suppliers and construction contractors.
In summary, “Small Hydro Engineering Practice” is a worthwhile addition to my “A” list of small hydro engineering reference documents. The combination of straightforward engineering guidance, practical experience, interesting anecdotes, lessons learned from failures and collection of useful engineering tools makes it a very worthwhile investment.
Review by Robert Shelton MIPENZ of Trustpower New Zealand
Bryan Leyland wrote this 254-page hardcover book with a CD, appendices and spreadsheets to pass on his knowledge – and indeed he is much to pass on: 50 years’ experience as a hydropower engineer, responsible for 26 new hydro schemes and 27 enhancements. Add to that an impressive background: the rare distinction being a Fellow thrice over (a Fellow of the Institution of Electrical Engineers (retired), the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand); The depth of this background comes through in the quality of the book. His background and network have enabled him to ask experts for valuable contributions intakes, geology and geotechnical engineering, canals, generators, corrosion protection and the economics and environmental aspects of hydropower development.
The book covers small hydropower projects ranging from 500 kW to 50 MW. It discusses the developmental phases of such schemes, from scheme identification, preliminary design, cost estimates, conceptual and detail design, construction, to commissioning and operation. It also incorporates the “building blocks” of hydroelectricity generation schemes throughout the developmental phases.
Unfortunately, a key “building block” – weirs and small dams – is not discussed in detail. The author acknowledges that, and directs the reader to the 900 page United States bureau of reclamation publication “Design of Small Dams”. A summary of the salient points with lessons learned would have been useful.
By systematically explaining the different scheme components, Mr Leyland’s book caters to a range of readers and keeps the book highly readable. He explained logically about the important decisions required when developing a scheme and suggests how to avoid repeating past mistakes. This lays the foundation for the subsequent detailed discussions including job specifications, contracts for procurement and installation.
The book also includes a CD of eight spreadsheets to assist consultants, engineers, owners and development of small hydro electricity schemes. It reads well using clear, conversational language to explain a complex subject without a lot of jargon. As a fellow hydropower enthusiast, I believe this book is an excellent reference.