Utilization of Hydropower from Dams in Jordan - Wadi Al - Arab Case Study

Mahmoud Z. Abu - Zaid

Abstract: Micro - hydropower plant is the most effective method and environmentally friendly method to supply rural villages by the required electricity. Power plants operated by Fossil fuels, in Jordan are barely able to meet all electricity needs, in addition to the high cost of grid electricity. The rural villages have low load demand, but the electricity supply has been characterized by high transmission and distributed costs. This paper is mainly a feasibility study, of utilizing the dams in Jordan, by their potential of hydropower, and design a small hydropower plant at Wadi Al - Arab dam. It is estimated that installing small hydropower plants on the most promising existing dams in Jordan would generate mechanical power output of 45.5 GW, and 40.5 GW of electrical energy output. A small hydropower plant has been designed on Wadi Al - Arab dam, can produce 3.4 MW. This involves the selection of the most efficient components of the plant, including type of the turbine, specific speed, speed of the turbine, and the diameter of penstock pipe.

Keywords: Dams, electricity, Hydropower, Jordan