CHAPTER - 6

6. Alternative Study & Optimization

6.1 Alternatives Available

The possible alternatives in the project considering different locations of project components
have been explored during selection of best project layout for development. The optimization
study has been carried out to select the optimum project configuration, and capacity which
produces maximum benefit to the developers although there is limitation on design discharge
only upto Q40% as per present utility policy.

There are various possibilities for project optimization and genuine reasons for the consideration
of alternatives. The following components and area are considered during project alternatives
and optimization study:
 Location of headworks;
 Selection of left or right alignment of the river valley;
 Type of headrace alignment - Canal, Pipe or Tunnel;
 With or without Serra Khola Collection;
 Location of Powerhouse;
 Optimum installed capacity;

Most of the components selections are decided with comparative judgments of advantages and
disadvantages during field visits and some are further considered with financial indicators to
decide among the different options. The details and facts relevant to select different options are
mentioned below:

6.1.1. Location of Headwork

There are three possible locations for headworks:

- HW 1: The first uppermost location is about 250m u/s of confluence of wachinle khola
with Pikhuwa Khola. In this option, Pikhuwa needs to be diverted to the left side just after
rock cliff and plan desander immediately near the Pati house u/s of confluence with
Wachinle Khola.

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Figure 6-1: Location of Alterenatives sites for Headworks.

The Alighment further left side of the river is all very difficult with vertical cliff which needs
either tunnel or massive rock cutting to continue the left side of the river valley. Wachinle
needs to be collected with different headworks and joined afterwards. The location of
Desander is not sufficient and be conjusted nearby and needs to be downstream further
600m. This will add about 20m head in the project and makes installed capacity the
highest about 8.4MW utilizing all the area in the boundry.

- HW 2: Another best location of headworks site is about 50m D/S of confluence of

Wachinle Khola with Pikhuwa Khola with free flow concrete weir and side intake
connecting to gravel trap, desander in suitable location on right side of the river. There
will not be requirement of collecting with different hearworks but it needs alignment
crossing to left side with bridge or syphone on Pikhuwa Khola near Gauging station.

- HW 3: There is another feasible location of intake just after the rocky area ends on the
right side of the river after 300m d/s of the confluence with Wachinle Khola. This will
avoid the river crossing but looses 15m head further than HW 2.

The location for headworks and desander is very suitable on HW 2 option. The flow of wachinle
also can be diverted with single weir structure. This will avoid the difficult section, separate
collection and 600m tunnel before desander. Hence HW 2 middle option has been selected.
6.1.2. Left or Right Side of Valley

Right valley is more covered almost all with the Forest where as left valley covers only 1.2 km at
the last with community forest. The access road is possible bearby and the alignment passes
through gentle terrain in the left side of the valley.

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There is possibility of collection of Sera Khola on the left side of the valley in surgetank and
hence the capacity can be improved. There is no possibility to tap Sera Khola on the right valley
alignment in the river.
6.1.3. Tunnel or Canal or Pipe

Alternatives for tunnel from right side and canal or pipe option was considered on left side valley
according to geological and topographical features. Left valley terrain is suitable with pipe or
canal alignment where as right velly needs Tunnel alignment for the project.

Tunnel alignment is appropriate on the right side valley and can be one of the good options
technically considering long term safety and reliability of the structures after construction. Also
the left valley can have tunnel for the last part of the difficult alignment near surgetank. The rock
quality was characterized as of medium to low quality for tunnel supports. Due to low rock
quality, there might be uncertainty on underground supports and ultimately it may cause high
cost variation. Considering, the risk and uncertainty factors, the tunnel option has been
discarded although the powerhouse area is relatively flat and better on right side after the
confluence of Andheri Khola.

The selection of headrace connecting canal up to desander followed by headrace pipe

throughout the headrace is technically suitable according to geological and topographical
condition of the trrrian. Thus pipe option for water conveyance system is preferred and
considered with confidence regarding cost assurance and technological advantages although
some terrain is difficult for the pipe at the last section of headrace. Once the track is opened it
will be easy to install the pipe. There is no possibility of continueing pipe longer distance
because of the alluvial nature of the slope on left valley of the headrace in level.
6.1.4. With or without Sera Khola Collection
The contribution of Sera Khola on the discharge at Q40% is found to be 1.25m3/s. The
maximum possible discharge at Pikhuwa is found to be 6.52 m3/sec and total can be 7.77 m3/s
for the power generation. The contribution of sera is found to be 16% of the capacity where as
Pilkhuwa alone stakes 84% as per discharge availability. The sera collection pipe length is found
to be 1km and 1.25m3/sec water needs to be transported from Sera Khola. The equivalent
capacity comes out to be 1.2MW added if the Sera is collected in Surgetank. This shows
marginal benefit is more than marginal oppurtunity cost of 1.2MW. Hence, Sera collection is
also preffered option on left bank alignment option.
6.1.5. Location of Powerhouse
There are three possible locations of powerhouse.
- PH 1: The first one is in the side of Sera Khola useful for the left valley option. There
was an old Gatta on Sera and that location is possible for powerhouse although it needs

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excavation coring, leveling and heavy protection. This will loose about 10m height than
other options. The Tailrace can be made longer to take all the head available in this
location which is not physically possible.

- PH2 : There is other location of PH possible near Ghat area abut 150m u/s of confluence
of Sera with Pikhuwa. There is a flat terrain but Ghat needs to be relocated on the
confluence are with access facilities. The hill slope is stable but the river side needs
protection. There is a natural bedrock spur d/s of suspension bridge on Pikhuwa which
protects the terrain from scouring further.
- PH3 : There is other location just opposite of PH 2 also possible for the right side
alignment options. There is flat paddy land stable and having enough space for
powerhouse, switchyard and camp facilities consttuction.

Considering geomorphological safety and stability, PH2 was selected with the consideration of
Ghat relocation.
6.1.6. Optimum Installed Capacity
The installed capacity selection is a pure economical optimization task. There is also limitation
on design flow upto Q40% only to be considered as of the NEA policy for PPA while determining
the installed capacity. An assessment is carried out for finding optimum economical capacity
considering the limit upto Q40% as possible design flow.
6.1.7. Power Evacuation Options:
The interconnection point of this project is at Bhojpur 33kV SS in Bhojpur bazzar. The
evacuation has to be considered from various future possibilities and make project ready for
implementation. There is already one project under construction with 2.4MW capacity which is
scheduled to come on operation by next year.The limitation on power evacuation is also vital for
the size of development for this project and needs to be refined in the future evaluating the
future scenarios and developments. The capacity limitation because of evacuation issue should
not be the reason for this project although it’s vital for the development. Identified power
evacuation routes after interconnection point at Bhojpur NEA 33kV Substation are as follows:

- Power evacuation thtough Bhojpur-Pakhribas-Hile-Basantapur 220kV Substation

- Power evacuation through Bhojpur-Pakribas-Barardah-Lahan 132kV Substation

- Power evacuation Through Bhojpur-Buipa-Jaljale-Lahan 132kV Substation

Details of these options are described in Chapter 8.3 with all schematic features for reference.

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6.2 Options for Project Development

The different alternative layout of the components studied for water conveyance, headworks and
powerhouse of Pikhuwa project make different options for the development. The following
options are considered for comparision and evaluation to come in to a conclusion out of the
possibilities available for development.

6.2.1 Option 1: Tunnel Option

Right side valley is found appropriate for Tunnel Option. Proposed headworks site is located
downstream of the confluence of Pikhuwa Khola and Wachinle on Khawa VDC of Bhojpur
district. The desander shall be connected with canal after gravel trap and an open channel pipe
or canal needs to be constructed until inlet portal about 500m d/s.

Figure 6-2: Tunnel Option from right valley of the river

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There will be about 2.2 km long tunnel up to Andheri Khola right side of the confluence with Sera
khola and Pikhuwa. There will be one adit d/s of wadumla village. The penstock pipe shall follow
Andheri khola and passes towards the PH option 3.

There will no crossing on the river and there is very good site for headworks and powerhouse
but the discharge of sera will be left. There will be requirement of Bridge or causeway on
Pikhuwa for transportation on the other side of the river.

Predominating rock consist of Coarse grained, weakly foliated, mica-quartz gneiss with small
granitic intrusion observed in Tawa Khola Formation in the area. Gneiss bands are 25 to 35 cm
thick. The bands of quartzite range in thickness from 10 cm to 20 cm. Attitudes of foliation
planes measured in field show a range from N25E to N70E due 20 0 to 600 SE.The headrace
tunnel alignment excavation directions shall remain fair with respect to major foliation plane

 majority of the headrace tunnel length (>90%)shall require support and lining
 area is rated at low level of slope instability but road construction needs greater effort
 The geotechnical investigation shall be required for further detailed planning
 The mean Q-value class shall remain between poor to Fair class
 There is adequate space available for headworks and powerhouse site
 Penstock alignment will be longer in this option crossing Andheri Khola.
Although, this option has less surface hazard with stable alignment and good site for
powerhouse and intake the subsequent cost variation during tunnel construction at this size of
the project maks it less favorable for implementation.

6.2.2 Option 2: Pipe Alignent with Serra Collection with HW 2

There is headword option 2 suitable for the location of desander, construction safety and
avoiding the difficult zone after HW1.

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Figure 6-3: Pipe Alignment from left side of river with Serra and HW 2 (Selected)
The left side is appropriate for the alignment hence it needs crossing in Pikhuwa. Serra khola
collection is possible at surgetank followed by short penstock to the powerhouse site on the left
bank of Pikhuwa Khola.

The following are the general feature of these options:

 The left valley with pipe is consider in this option but headworks is located on right side of
the river

 There is suitable location for diversion and intake after 50m confluence of Pikhuwa with
wachinle khola followed by flat terrace for desander
 There will be requirement of bridge to cross the Pikhuwa Khola

 The discharge from Serra can be collected to surgetank on left side of the river followed by
penstock to Powerhouse option 2 near Ghat area.

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6.2.3 Option 3: Pipe Alignent with HW U/S of wachinle and Serra Collection

There is headwork option HW1 is considered for greater head in this option with pipe from the
left side of the valley with the location of desander after HW3. This will make the highest head
and greater capacity but some of the problems are there considerable for the collecti of Pikhuw
and Wachinle collection in Desander.

Figure 6-4: Pipe Alignment from left side of river HW U/S of Wachile & Serra also

The HW option 1 does not have sufficient space after intake for Desander hance there is only
gravel trap possible and further 600m needs to be conveyed to get appropriate space for
desander. Wachinle Khola needs to be collected on desander either directly or collecting on
Pikhuwa HW1.

The following are the general feature of these options:

 The HW 1 will give 20m head higher than HW2 but Wachile Khola needs to be collected
separately for this option

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 There is no suitable location of Desander and hence needs to convey silt longer

 The 600m stretch is very difficult which either needs Tunnelling, double river crossing or
heavy rock cutting on left side.

 The discharge from Serra can be also be collected but it needs Serra HW little u/s on more
difficult area.

6.2.4 Option IV: Options without Serra Collection

There can be option without Sera Collection but the installed capacity will be reduced by at least
16% which is substantial regarding benefit against marginal investment. For the options on left side
of the valley it is considerable to collect Serra to optimize the project capacity. This does not require
the separate option to analysis and shall be discarded on further analysis.

6.3 Comparison of Options

Further comparative study has been carried out between options I, option II and Option III as a
has been presented below in table 6.1

Table 6-1: Comparisons of Option I, Option II, Option IV and Option V

Option I: Option II: Pipe Option III: Pipe
Particulars
Tunnel Alignment Alignment with HW 2 Alignment With HW 1

Water Cut and Cover 600m and

Pipe 500m and Tunnel Canal Up to Desander and
Conveyance Pipe up desander and
alignment 2.2km then Pipe 2.6km in Pikhuwa
Pipe 2.6km in Pikhuwa
and 0.9km in Sera
and 1 km sera
Two HW, Pikhuwa and
Headworks & Single in Pikhuwa (HW 2) on Single in Pikhuwa (HW 2)
Wachinle on left side
Intake Right side of Pikhuwa on Right side of Pikhuwa
(HW1)

Underground Surgetank at Surface Surgetank with T Surface Surgetank with T

Surgetank
the end of Tunnel connection and collection connection and collection

Serra Collection
Serra No Serra Collection a the Serra Collection Surgetank
Surgetank with 1000m
Collection alignment is on right side with 900m long pipe
long pipe

Penstock
490m long pipe 1.65m dia 280m long pipe 1.75m dia 330m long pipe 1.75 dia
Alignment

Right side of the river Left side of the river near Left side of the river near
Powerhouse
opposite of Ghat Ghat Ghat

High project cost due to the First 600m alignment is

Cost and
amount of the excavation Comparatively lower project rockey and costlier
construction
and explosive involved with cost with Pipe option comparative to additional
aspect
uncertainity capacity
Annual repair
Resonanble annual repair Resonanble annual repair
& Low annual repair and
and maintenance cost for and maintenance cost for
maintenance maintenance cost
Pipe portion Pipe portion
cost

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About 1.5km is covered

Encroachment No encroachment of land About 1.5km is covered with
with community Forest at
to Forest and as tunnel passes from the community Forest at the last
the last portion around
other Land area portion around Surgetank
Surgetank

Gross Head
120m 120m 140m
(m)
Net rated
114.2m 115.9 m 129.1m
Head (m)
Design
Discharge 6.52 7.77 7.77
3
(m /s)
Installed
Capacity 6.3MW 7.6MW 8.4MW
(MW)
Note: These details are approximate value to be taken for option comparision only; accurate details are
optained after details of finalized options.
6.3.1 Economic Analysis of the options
The project will be selected if the internal rate of return (IRR) is more than interest rate and NPV
and B/C ratio are acceptable. The economic comparison of some of the options was carried out
to determine net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR) and benefit cost (B/C) ratio.
Results of the economic analysis are summarized below for reference.

Table 6-2: Summary of Economic Indicators for different options

Base
Installed O&M Deemed Gross
Project NPV B/C IRR EIRR
Cases Capacity Cost Energy Revenue
Cost (103xNRs) ratio (%) (%)
(MW) (106xNRs) (GWh) (106xNRs)
(106xNRs)
Option
6.3 881.5 11.6 35.0 175.13 22.4 1.03 14.4% 16.0%
1
Option
7.6 929.7 12.8 41.7 208.70 135.9 1.17 16.3% 21.0%
2
Option
8.4 1100.4 13.1 46.1 230.67 93.6 1.10 15.3% 18.9%
3
Note: These indicators are approximate value to be reffered for option comparision only, accurate
financials are calculated on later chpters after finalized option.
6.3.2 Recommended Project Layout

All the options have been studied on the Q 40 of the available discharge. From the alternative
study, it has been seen that option 2 is found as best alternative among considered from the
consideration of financial parameters like IRR, NPV and B/C ratio. These figures are only
indicatives. This is is feasible technically and financially acceptable although the parameters to
be refined on detailed calculation later on the chapters. Hence, the project option II is
recommended for further optimization which will have installed capacity of 7.6MW based on Q40
design discharge.

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6.4 Capacity Stidues

This chapter describes the capacity variation depending upon the configuration based on
discharge exceedence of the project for the different project size. The project size is determined
primarily on the basis of power generation and cost optimization.

The principal objective of the Capacity study is to find the following:

 Find the Capacity of the plant on different discharge exceedence (Q%)

 Find corresponding energy based on FDC

The optimization of plant is carried out with the optimization of design discharge and
corresponding cost of plant. These elements are more influenced by the general topography,
design discharge and other changes on structures.

6.4.1 Different Capacity and Energy as per FDC

As per prudent policy, there is possibility of developing site up to Q 40 exceedance probability, if

power evacuation is possible. To finalize the range of optimum plant capacity of the project,
Power studies needs to be carried out at various installed capacity, corresponding to Q60, Q50,
Q40, Q30 and Q20 etc to find optimum benefit. The following capacity veriations are calculated
based on FDC curve and selected option 2: Left side valley with pipe on HW 2

Table 6-3: Energy & revenue Potential at different exceedence of discharge (option 2)
SN Exceedance Running @ Discharge Power Installed Net energy
Probability (%) Full Capacity (cumecs) (kw) Capacity after
(Min Days in (MW) outage
year) (GWhr)
1 95% 347 1.29 1254 1380 7
2 90% 329 1.63 1581 1739 8.7
3 85% 310 1.87 1821 2003 10.1
4 80% 292 2.11 2049 2254 11.3
5 75% 274 2.38 2310 2541 12.7
6 70% 256 2.69 2611 2872 14.4
7 65% 237 2.98 2898 3188 16.0
8 60% 219 3.45 3350 3685 18.5
9 55% 201 4.08 3965 4362 21.9
10 50% 183 5.00 4862 5348 26.8
11 45% 164 6.21 6040 6644 33.3
12 40% 146 7.77 7550 8305 41.7
13 35% 128 9.64 9372 10309 51.7
14 30% 110 11.97 11640 12804 64.2
15 25% 91 14.38 13974 15372 77.1
16 20% 73 16.85 16382 18020 90.4
17 15% 55 19.55 19003 20904 104.9
18 10% 37 22.79 22154 24370 122.3
19 5% 18 28.47 27673 30440 152.7

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The power duration cueve out of the result has been prepared and presented as follows in figure
6-5

Power Duration Curve

30000 Pikhuwa Khola (Khawa) SHP

25000
Power Potential (kW)

20000

15000

10000

5000

0
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Exceeding Days in a year

Figure 6-5: Power Duration Curve

6.5 Recommended Installed Capacity

As per the prudent policy of NEA, the capacity of the peoject is decided to be on Q40% as there
is no real meaning of installed capacity optimization below Q40% like 35%, 30%, 25% and so on
out of the discharge exceedence. The same cost of infrastructure, project management and
supervision, T/L and power evacuation cost and decelopment cost etc being virtually constant
indicate the higher capacity possible even considering the limit of power evacuation on 33kV
than Q40%. Hence, 7.6 MW option at Q40% is recommended as the optimum capacity for the
development and also recommended for further study.

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