Comparativo entre os índices ambientais sobre as áreas alagadas das centrais geradoras hidrelétricas Carlos Mathias Aloysius Becker e rio São Francisco Verdadeiro

Abstract

Electric energy is a resource that has been adding immense value every day, this is due to several factors, including: population growth combined with increased quality of life, development, and optimization of new technologies that demand greater energy expenditure, in addition to the replacement of non-renewable energy sources by renewable sources. With the need for ever-increasing energy production, and producing the lowest possible environmental impact alongside it, one of the main sources of renewable energy is the HGP's Hydroelectric Generating Plants, which convert the mechanical energy of river water into electrical energy. In this context, a direct performance comparison was developed between two HGP's located in the countryside of Toledo, where one of them deactivated approximately 42 years ago, is giving way to the construction of a new plant. The main points analyzed between the two projects were the production capacity of each plant, in relation to the flooding area required for its operation, raising some points for improvement in structural optimization. For this analysis, field visits were necessary to collect information with local residents about the old hydroelectric plant, monitoring the construction process of the new HGP and understanding its operation, as it is classified as a run-of-river hydroelectric plant. After obtaining the necessary information from residents and sympathizers of the former HGP, it was possible to simulate the delimitation of the former lake belonging to the hydroelectric plant, using Google Earth. The simulation of the old lake and the projection of the flooded area by the new HGP was elaborated, making a direct comparison between the areas, this data was obtained analyzing the electricity production capacity between the two plants. It can be seen that the new HGP – Real São Francisco River, has greater efficiency than the old HGP - Carlos Mathias Aloysius Becker, with an environmental index 15 times minor referring to it.