EFFECTS OF WEATRHER VARIABLES ON RESERVOIR INFLOW FOR HYDROELECTRIC POWER GENERATION IN JEBBA DAM, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined the effect of weather variable on reservoir inflow of hydroelectric [power generation in Jebba dam, Nigeria. The study utilizes monthly rainfall, temperature, evaporation, reservoir inflow and outflow from 1993-2017. The study objectives were achieved by analyzing mean annual trend of rainfall, temperature, evaporation, reservoir flows for 25years. Hypotheses were tested for relationship between the weather variables (rainfall, temperature, evaporation) on the amount of reservoir inflow, while the effect of reservoir inflow, and reservoir outflow on the amount of energy generated was tested using correlation coefficient at 5% significant level. The amount of energy generated for the period was analyzed on monthly basis to know the season more electricity was generated. From the study it was revealed that the month of March generated more electricity of (273724mwh) and the lowest in the month of July (155098mwh). All the weather variables show an increasing trend, while the reservoir inflow pattern exhibit fluctuation at various levels. The results also reveal that rainfall, temperature, evaporation, has a direct effect on the reservoir inflows and subsequently on dam levels and also that reservoir inflow, and outflow have strong relationship with the amount of energy generated which signify that climate variability has a big impact on reservoir inflow and energy production. It was recommended that future hydropower plant investment in the country should take careful consideration into the climatic variables impact on the potential for energy generation.