Incorporating Landscape Dynamics in Small-Scale Hydropower Site Location Using a GIS and Spatial Analysis Tool: The Case of Bohol, Central Philippines

Abstract

Hydropower depends on the elevation head and water flow of a river. However, other factors must be considered, such as the risk associated with surface processes and environmental factors. The study aims to analyze a landscape’s dynamics and locate potential sites for small-scale hydropower systems (3/s, and a total hydropower capacity of 13.595 MW. The river profile analysis classified the sites to five levels of risk to geo-hazards, with three-fourths of the sites being at ‘high’ to ‘very high’ risk levels while more than 50% of the total power can be generated in ‘low’ risk areas. Land-use and population constraints reduced the sites to 25 and the hydropower capacity by 60%. Although limited to the table assessment phase of hydropower development, the study showed the potential of small-scale hydropower systems in the study area, their spatial distribution, and the risk associated with each site. The study results provided data-limited resource managers’ and energy planners’ insights in targeting potential locations and minimizing field investigation costs and time.

Keywords

• landscape dynamics
• small-scale hydropower
• GIS
• TopoToolbox
• CN method
• geomorphic index