The purpose of research was to assess the hydropower resources and the prospects for using small hydropower engineering on the existing hydraulic structures (on the example of Stavropol Territory) and sprinklers to meet internal energy needs. Using the example of irrigation systems of Stavropol Territory, it was found out by system analysis that the potential energy of water flow of network hydraulic structures isn’t practically used in current agricultural production technology. In this regard, the main material for justification the promising locations for small and micro hydroelectric power plants for power generation was the design characteristics of hydraulic structures operating on Stavropol Territory. Russian Scientific Research Institute of Land Improvement Problems collected and analyzed information on irrigation systems of Stavropol Territory with the availability of water level differences of 2 m or more (chutes, crossheads, etc.), after which the selection of hydraulic units was performed and annual power generation was calculated. As a result, it was revealed that about 30 functioning hydraulic structures, as well as four crossheads on the river Egorlyk and one on the river Kuma are the most promising sites for small and micro hydroelectric power plants construction in Stavropol Territory. The indicators of total power and electricity production on small and micro hydroelectric power plants of irrigation systems of Stavropol Territory are estimated preliminary at 128.46 MW per year, and annual electricity generation will amount to 515.04 million kWh. Thus, the use of small hydropower as a renewable source of energy in land reclamation will contribute to the creation of energy efficient irrigation systems.
Key words: renewable energy sources, micro hydroelectric power plants, hydraulic engineering structures, irrigation system, sprinkler, electric energy.
