1. BENEFITS OF LOWERING MASINGA’S MINIMUM OPERATING LEVEL
Presented by: Francis Kimolo
2018 G2G GLOBAL INNOVATION SEMINAR, PRIDE INN PARADISE
18TH JUNE - 22ND JUNE 2018

2. FRANCIS KIMOLO Engineer, Kamburu Dispatch
B.Sc. Mechanical Eng. (Hons) from UoN and is graduate member of both IEK and ERB
He is currently undertaking an M.Sc. in Climate Change and Adaptation (MCCA) UoN.
Based at Dispatch and Control in Kamburu where he has served for five years.

3. Conclusion & Way Forward 1.
JOH-KGN JvW-X1
PRESENTATION OUTLINE
Introduction
Problem Statement
Cost Benefit Analysis
Proposed Solution
Conclusion & Way Forward 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

4. 1. Introduction
1.1 Background of study – Masinga
Masinga power station which is based in Machakos county was commissioned in 1981
It is a Surface Power Station with 2 Kaplan type hydro power machines
The Reservoir is the main storage used to run the seven forks cascade which has a total installed capacity of MW 1. 2. 2. 4.

5. 2. Problem Statement
2.1 How do we optimise this important reservoir?
By:
Raising the Dam wall
Operating the Dam at its designed minimum operating level 1. 2. 2. 4.

6. 2. Problem Statement
The Machines are designed to operate at a minimum reservoir level of 1033metres above sea level (masl)
Minimum Operating Level (mol) was first revised upwards to 1035masl in June 2009
Again to 1037masl in April 2011
Resulted to a loss of 4metres in a short span of 30 years since the commissioning of the dam 1. 2. 2. 4.

7. 2.1 Diagrammatic representation of Masinga1.
self-spilling
1037 2.
1035 2.
1033 4.
Low level outlet (LLO)

8. 2.3 Typical Hydroelectric Power Station1. 2.
Reservoir 2. 4.

9. 3.0 Problem statement
At the mol, the station is shut and Low level outlet (LLO) opened.
1037masl
Opened
Level 2.
Opened
Level 4.
Opened
Level

10. 3.0 Proposed Solution
Revision of the capped minimum operating level of 1037masl to 1035masl and accord the plant extra 2metres of operation
Therefore continue earning capacity revenue up to the capped minimum operating level of 1035masl

11. 3.1 Methodology
PRACTICAL TEST running to MOL of 1035masl
Confirm how much water we actually have between 1037masl and 1035masl.
Closely monitor the equipment’s vibrations & turbine temperatures during the test and inspect the runner and mechanical parts after the test.

12. 3.2 Photos during annual maintenance

13. 3.3 Data
Graph 1: Operation below 1037masl. Source KenGen

14. 3.3 Data
Graph 2: Operation below 1037masl. Source KenGen

16. Total storage volume Million Cubic Meters (mcm)
3.4 Findings
Masinga Level (masl)
Total storage volume Million Cubic Meters (mcm)
1037
1035
1033 2. 4.
Table 1: Masinga dam storage at various critical dam levels – Source KenGen 2017

17. 3.5 Results
Running Days from 1037 to 1035masl (33Days).
– =
53.59 mcm

18. 3.5 Results
The vibrations experienced in September/October 2017 were comparable to those experienced during any other period of operation
During this period of operations, the machines never tripped on high bearing temperature.
The signs of cavitation on runner blades were consistent with operational hydro turbines

19. September Energy Charge payment = Kshs. 186,363
Sept. Energy (NEO) 5.9GWH
Capacity Payment Sept 2017 = 24,506,270.69
Masinga Payment for September Source KenGen

20. October Energy Charge payment = Kshs. 129,335.07
Sept. Energy (NEO) 4.089
GWH
Capacity Payment Oct = 10,634,178.69
Masinga Payment for October Source KenGen

21. 4.0 Cost Benefit Analysis
Energy =315K
Capacity = 35M 2. 2. 4.
35.3 MILLION would have been forfeited if the plant was to be shut down at dam level of 1037masl.

22. Conclusion
Revising the MOL based on practical engineering and documented evidence has provided KenGen an extra 2m of Masinga dam storage and MCM of stored water.
Revision of ZBS billing system to capture the levels from 1037 to designed 1033masl.

23. Way Forward
In order to optimize the reservoir further:
Establishing the actual sedimentation loads in the reservoir
Explore level revision up to MOL of 1033masl

24. Thank You
IMITATION PRECEDES INNOVATION