Estudio de factibilidad técnica-económica para la modernización de la minicentral hidroeléctrica “Planta Noroccidente” perteneciente a la Empresa Pública Metropolitana de Agua Potable y Saneamiento de Quito (EPMAPS)

Abstract

This study allows to establish solid bases to make decisions on the best alternatives for the modernization of the mini-hydro power plant “Planta Noroccidente”. The key to identifying the needs and opportunities for modernization is the diagnosis of the current status of the components of the Mini-hydro Power Plant considering four aspects: operation, maintenance, physical condition and seniority, using the guide “Hydro Life Extension Modernization EPRI TR-112350” that allows evaluate the teams qualitatively, since the lack of information regarding their operation does not allow quantitative analysis. Once they are identified, the alternatives of modernization of the components that require it are proposed based on the technological advances available in the market, which allow to solve the existing problems and prolong the useful life of the mini-hydro power plant with the least investment. To determine the economically viable alternatives, a long-term economic study is carried out with a 10-year horizon that evaluates the economic indicators: NPV, IRR and cost-benefit ratio.