Regional power duration curve model for ungauged intermittent river basins

Hydropower is a sustainable and renewable energy source that can serve as a practical and economically viable solution to the future possible energy crisis and climate change scenarios. Moreover, they possess a higher energy density compared to other alternative energy sources as renewable energy sources such as solar, wind energy, etc. In order to determine the potential of hydropower, long-term observed hydrometeorological data of streamflow, precipitation, etc. are crucial. This study investigates a new power duration curve (PDC) methodology. Basin characteristics such as drainage area and basin relief with meteorological data as precipitation are used for regional models in the application. A basic classification based on geographical locations is made for regional models. Six models based on equation type were utilized to determine the optimal regional model. Absolute errors of cease-to-flow point estimates ranging from 0.01 to 11.49% were observed. The model provided successful results according to Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency which is widely used in hydrological studies very close to 1 and higher than 0.87 except for one streamflow gauging station therewithal all other calculated performance metrics. As a result, it is observed that power and cease-to-flow point estimates of intermittent rivers can be obtained with a new PDC model based on basin characteristics.