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The emerging floating photovoltaic (FPV) technology is the recent global attention in solar power production due to its high efficiency. Apart from the standalone FPV systems, hybridising the FPV system with the hydroelectric power plants (HEPP) will aid in increasing the power generation from HEPP by reducing the water loss through evaporation. In this study, the power generation and water-saving capacity of a model FPV system with various tilt angles, orientation and tracking mechanisms are analysed by covering 30% of the total area of Vaigai reservoir in India. The study shows that the proposed FPV plant with capacity of 1.14 MW generates 1.9 GWh of energy at its optimum tilt angle while saving 42,731.56 m3 of water annually. Further, cost analysis and carbon footprint estimation are also carried out. The results show that the FPV system will have a positive impact on the environment by saving 44,734.62 tons of CO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims for the characterization of the geological setting of 300MW Baspa II, India's largest private hydroelectric facility which was built on top of a relict rock avalanche dammed palaeo-lake (Baspa Valley, NW Himalaya). Geologically, the hydroelectric installation is located in the Higher Himalayan Crystalline, just above the active Karcham Normal Fault, which is reactivating the Early Miocene Main Central Thrust, one of the principal Himalayan faults. The area is seismically active and mass-movements are common. At ca. 8200yr BP the Baspa River was blocked behind a 142×106 m3 rock avalanche dam which created a ca. 260m deep palaeo-lake. The whole palaeo-lake was completely filled with sediments in about 3100years, making the Sangla palaeo-lake to a very rare example of a mass-movement dam with very long duration. The hydroelectric installation was built with its intake situated directly on top of the mass-movement dammed palaeo-lake of Sangla, utilizing the convex knick point in the river profile to increase the head for Baspa II for ca. 125m, compared to the reconstructed longitudinal profile of the river prior to the mass-movement, which amounts for about 18% of its design head. At least 5 levels of soft-sediment deformation have been recorded in the exposed part of the lacustrine sediments of Sangla palaeo-lake, including brecciated laminae, overturned laminae, folds, faults and deformation bands, separated by undeformed deposits. They are interpreted as seismites, indicating at least 5 earthquakes within 2495±297years strong enough to cause liquefaction. These observations extend the local seismicity record considerably into the past and indicate more and possibly stronger seismic events than might be expected from the instrumental measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal diversity in the catchment and impact areas of the proposed Adirapally hydroelectric project in Kerala was studied during September to December, 1996. The area has southern moist deciduous forests, riparian forests, grasslands, bamboo and reed brakes, marsh and fallowlands and plantations of Tectona grandis and Bambar ceiba. During the study, 215 species of animals including endemics such as the Nilgiri langur, rufous babbler, whitebellied tree pie, bluewinged parakeet,small sunbird, yellowbrowed bulbul, flying lizard, southern birdwing, Malabar tree nymph, crimson rose and glad eye bushbrown were recorded. Signs of elephant movement were also noted in the area. There is a rich avian community consisting of 72 species including four migratory and one endangered species in this area. Maximum avian diversity was recorded in the moist deciduous habitat. Mixed hunting parties of10-15 species guided by a nuclear species were seen. The rare broadbilled roller was observed frequently in the plantations. Reptilian and amphibian diversity in the area was poor. It is suggested that if the dam is built, the impact and catchment areas of the dam be developed as Adirapally Wildlife Sanctuary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]