Life cycle greenhouse gas emissions estimation for small hydropower schemes in India

This paper presents for the first time correlations for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from small hydropower schemes in India. In this paper an attempt has been made to develop life cycle GHG emissions correlations for three different types of small hydropower schemes (run-of river, canal based and dam-toe) in India. It has been found out that GHG emissions depend on the head and capacity of the small hydropower project. The results obtained from correlations show good agreement with the estimated results using EIO-LCA (Economic Input–Output-Life Cycle Assessment) technique. These correlations may be useful for the development of new small hydropower (SHP) schemes, as they can be used to predict life cycle GHG emissions based on capacity, head and type of SHP schemes.

► A study has been carried out for the Life Cycle Greenhouse gas emissions estimation for SHP schemes in India.
► Around 145 SHP schemes have been studied and their GHG emissions have been estimated.
► Based upon these results correlations have been developed for three different types of SHP schemes.