Impact of Climate Change on Hydropower Production in Sacramento River Hydrologic Region

Impact of Climate Change on Hydropower Production in Sacramento River Hydrologic Region PDF Author: Younis M. Elmabrok
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 106

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Book Description
California has the most extensive water supply systems in the country. California reservoirs, more than 1000 reservoirs, play a major role in meeting the state's water demand (ACWA, 2013). These reservoirs require careful planning and management in order to achieve the optimal balance between different demand sectors. Some of these reservoirs contribute to the state's power supply through different hydropower plants. Beside some hydraulic and design parameters, the amount of produced hydropower is determined by amount of released water and the available storage. The amount of released water from any reservoir is a function of many factors, such as: climate, precipitation and inflows, demands and environmental requirements downstream. This study examines the implication of Climate Change and Warming on Hydropower production in Sacramento River hydrological region. A simulation model of the study area is built using Water Elevation and Planning System (WEAP). Three main reservoirs for hydropower generation in the study area were included: Shasta Reservoir, Oroville Reservoir, and Folsom Reservoir. Snowpack in west upper slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains plays a major role in the hydrology of Sacramento River basin. Studies, (Franco et al. 2011) and (Rheinheimer et al. 2014), have shown a possible increase in the California's air temperature from 1.5 oC to 6 oC, with an expected greater impact on the upper Sierra Nevada Mountains. To assess the impact of such possible increase in air temperature, three warming scenarios were developed. The historical climate data (1964-2014) was collected for each catchment. Then for future projections (2014-2064), three air temperature increase scenarios were developed. The scenarios are 0 oC (no change, for comparison), 2 oC, 4 oC and 6 oC. Air temperature was the only parameter changed, other parameters such as precipitation remained unchanged. The result obtained from the model shows that the increase in air temperature can yield a considerable change in hydropower production. Under 6 oC increase scenario, the reduction in the total hydropower supply over the 50 years (2015-2064) was 9.43% for Shasta, 6.76% Oroville, and 6.44% for Folsom reservoir.

Impact of Climate Change on Hydropower Production in Sacramento River Hydrologic Region

Impact of Climate Change on Hydropower Production in Sacramento River Hydrologic Region PDF Author: Younis M. Elmabrok
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 106

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Book Description
California has the most extensive water supply systems in the country. California reservoirs, more than 1000 reservoirs, play a major role in meeting the state's water demand (ACWA, 2013). These reservoirs require careful planning and management in order to achieve the optimal balance between different demand sectors. Some of these reservoirs contribute to the state's power supply through different hydropower plants. Beside some hydraulic and design parameters, the amount of produced hydropower is determined by amount of released water and the available storage. The amount of released water from any reservoir is a function of many factors, such as: climate, precipitation and inflows, demands and environmental requirements downstream. This study examines the implication of Climate Change and Warming on Hydropower production in Sacramento River hydrological region. A simulation model of the study area is built using Water Elevation and Planning System (WEAP). Three main reservoirs for hydropower generation in the study area were included: Shasta Reservoir, Oroville Reservoir, and Folsom Reservoir. Snowpack in west upper slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains plays a major role in the hydrology of Sacramento River basin. Studies, (Franco et al. 2011) and (Rheinheimer et al. 2014), have shown a possible increase in the California's air temperature from 1.5 oC to 6 oC, with an expected greater impact on the upper Sierra Nevada Mountains. To assess the impact of such possible increase in air temperature, three warming scenarios were developed. The historical climate data (1964-2014) was collected for each catchment. Then for future projections (2014-2064), three air temperature increase scenarios were developed. The scenarios are 0 oC (no change, for comparison), 2 oC, 4 oC and 6 oC. Air temperature was the only parameter changed, other parameters such as precipitation remained unchanged. The result obtained from the model shows that the increase in air temperature can yield a considerable change in hydropower production. Under 6 oC increase scenario, the reduction in the total hydropower supply over the 50 years (2015-2064) was 9.43% for Shasta, 6.76% Oroville, and 6.44% for Folsom reservoir.

Modeling Climate Change Impacts on Water Resources for the Sacramento River Hydrologic Region

Modeling Climate Change Impacts on Water Resources for the Sacramento River Hydrologic Region PDF Author: Mauricio Meza-Pedraza
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 128

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Book Description
Potential climate change impacts on water resources on the Sacramento River Basin (Basin) and their economic impacts on agriculture were evaluated in this study. The Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) software was used to develop a simulation model for the Basin. WEAP is a computer software used for integrated water resources planning that operates on the principles of water balance accounts. The model was applied to evaluate hydrologic implications of climate change scenarios by projecting future precipitation in the Basin for the period of 2016 to 2058 and estimate potential financial impacts on agriculture. Results indicates that extreme events such as extended drought conditions due to climate change can occur in the future. Model simulations revealed that the only county that could face an increase in financial losses in extreme events due to climate change within the Basin is El Dorado County. Financial losses due to crop yield reduction as a result of extreme drought are estimated at $37.5M. Approximately $4.5M more when compared to possible expected losses of $33M for five years of moderate drought following historical hydrologic patterns. Finally, model results show incremental and steady groundwater depletion in the Basin. Groundwater storage in the Basin could decrease from 66 MAF to 60 MAF. This indicates that extreme events such as extended drought conditions could add additional stresses on groundwater situation, and as a result have adverse effects on agriculture in the Basin.

Effects of the Changing Climate on Hydropower Production in the Sacramento River Watershed and California's Electricity Prices

Effects of the Changing Climate on Hydropower Production in the Sacramento River Watershed and California's Electricity Prices PDF Author: Daniel Fucik
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : California
Languages : en
Pages : 162

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Book Description
Historically, hydropower is the largest renewable energy source. However, as it is strongly climate dependent, the current climate change is altering the generating conditions. The watershed of the Sacramento River in California houses the greatest concentration of hydropower plants in all of the United States. As such, it generates about 10 percent of all instate-produced electricity. This study examines the changes of climatic conditions within the watershed, as well as its effects on hydropower generation in this region. Changes — decrease in this case — in electricity supply can lead to an increase of electricity prices. It was found that the watershed’s significance in California’s electricity mix indeed decreased, though climate change is only one reason for this development. The other reason, next to the factual decrease in hydropower generation due to altered climatic conditions, is the large and rapid increase in solar and wind energy generating facilities. Despite the size and electricity generating capacity within the watershed, the change in climate and to it related change in hydropower generation did not have a significant effect on the state’s electricity prices.

Potential Changes in Hydropower Production from Global Climate Change in California and the Western United States

Potential Changes in Hydropower Production from Global Climate Change in California and the Western United States PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Climatic changes
Languages : en
Pages : 70

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The Impact of Climate Change on Regional Systems

The Impact of Climate Change on Regional Systems PDF Author: Joel B. Smith
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
ISBN: 1847203124
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 305

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Book Description
The book works well as a reference for how one can examine potential climate change impacts in a subnational area. A clear strength of the work lies in the unifying framework that the climate, population, and, to a somewhat lesser degree, urbanization scenarios provide. Collectively, these appear to bracket a wide range of possible drives that will shape climate change impacts. The overall analysis takes a refreshing approach in that it does not try to fit all these elements and the subsystem impact assessments into one grand integrated model, but rather develops the assessments from a common base while allowing each to follow its own logic and scale. . . it provides a welcome overview of how one can conduct a multisystem, multisector climate impact assessment that combines natural, engineering, and social sciences in a rigorous format. Kris Wernstedt, Journal of Regional Science Climate scientists have determined that recent global temperature increases are due in large part to increased greenhouse gas emissions from human activities. Even if mitigation of these gases begins immediately, there is every reason to believe that climate change will continue to occur. Every region in the world ought to forecast, as the contributors do in this study of California (a region of broad variation and high population), how it will be affected by climate change and how it might best adapt. Models are used to estimate potential physical and biological impacts, efficient adaptations, and residual damages from climate change. The contributors cover a broad array of climate change impacts on affected market sectors (including water supply, agriculture, coastal resources, timber, and energy demand) as well as ecosystems and biodiversity. An integrated hydrologic-agriculture model is developed to explore how the region would adapt to changes in water flows. Interactions between climate impacts and population and economic growth, urbanization, and technological change are also explored. For example, the study examines how both climate change and projected land development affect the region s terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity. The level of geographical detail, along with the broad applicability of the modeling, methodology, and conclusions, make this a unique and valuable reference for environmental economists, scientists, planners, and policymakers.

Climate Change Impacts on Water for Agriculture in California

Climate Change Impacts on Water for Agriculture in California PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Climatic changes
Languages : en
Pages : 76

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Book Description
Global climate change has the potential to dramatically alter hydrologic conditions in California by changing the spatial and temporal patterns of snow accumulation and snow melt. The water management infrastructure in California has been designed and is operated in accordance with historic hydrologic patterns. Understanding if and how this infrastructure can be managed in the face of global climate change in order to meet the array of vital water management objectives for the system is a critical research question addressed in part by this study. Here an application of the Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) system, developed by the Stockholm Environment Institute, is presented for California's Sacramento River Basin. WEAP is an integrated hydrology and water resources systems model that allows for assessment of climate change impact and adaptation in the water sector based solely on future climate time series. The model is used to evaluate the impact of four future climate scenarios on agricultural water management in the region, and to investigate whether water management adaptation could reduce potential impacts.

Interpretation of Hydrologic Effects of Climate Change in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Basin, California

Interpretation of Hydrologic Effects of Climate Change in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Basin, California PDF Author: Dennis P. Lettenmaier
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Climatic changes
Languages : en
Pages : 111

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Climate Change Impacts on the Operation of Two High-elevation Hydropower Systems in California

Climate Change Impacts on the Operation of Two High-elevation Hydropower Systems in California PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : California
Languages : en
Pages : 58

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Climate Change and Water Resources Management

Climate Change and Water Resources Management PDF Author: Levi D. Brekke
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
ISBN: 1437920497
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 76

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Book Description
Many challenges, including climate change, face the Nation¿s water managers. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has provided estimates of how climate may change, but more understanding of the processes driving the changes, the sequences of the changes, and the manifestation of these global changes at different scales could be beneficial. Since the changes will likely affect fundamental drivers of the hydrological cycle, climate change may have a large impact on water resources and water resources managers. The purpose of this interagency report is to explore strategies to improve water management by tracking, anticipating, and responding to climate change. Charts and tables.

Climate Change Impacts on Runoff and Hydropower in the Nordic Countries

Climate Change Impacts on Runoff and Hydropower in the Nordic Countries PDF Author: Nils Roar Sælthun
Publisher: Nordic Council of Ministers
ISBN: 9789289302128
Category : Climatic changes
Languages : en
Pages : 176

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Book Description