 Engineering Services for Small Hydro
Micro and small hydro developments (50 kW to 15 MW) have significant potential for contributing to the long-term energy mix in many regions of the world. Small hydro plants generate low environmental impact electricity ('green power') using renewable resources (run-of-river flows). Costs are declining and reliability is improving, making small hydropower a viable energy alternative. Small hydroelectric projects are often the least expensive source of alternative green power. In India, private sector is being encouraged to develop, own and operate small hydro plants.
APECO is a leader in the field for small hydro engineering. We provide a wide range of services, including:
 Site selection |
| Inventories and ranking |
| Assistance in developing a business plan |
| Methods of project financing |
| Conceptual studies |
| Feasibility/confirmation studies |
| Environmental process/permitting/approvals |
| Interconnection requirements/agreements |
| Fast-track engineering/innovative project delivery methods |
| Design and project management of new 'greenfield' facilities |
| Redevelopment, expansion, upgrading and rehabilitation of existing facilities |
| Turnkey services. |
 Hydroelectric Power Construction Management
APECO’s engineers have developed an approach to construction management which preserves the integrity of the engineering concept, ensures the highest quality work from selected contractors, and thereby ensuring, protecting the owner's interests.
The basic tasks are the same, whatever the size or nature of the project. Contracts are prepared, and contractors are selected. Once the award has been made, APECO monitors all construction operations to ensure quality and timeliness of the work performed at every stage. The more important issues to be addressed are: organization, planning, communications with contractors and their staff, safety, commissioning of the finished projects, and start up.
For a small project, all these services may be supplied by one experienced person. For larger projects, a team of field engineers and supervisors, surveyors and inspectors will be responsible for on-the-spot monitoring and inspection of contractors' work. They will report to a construction manager who is responsible for overall coordination, general direction and inspection of all construction and installation work at the sites.
These services are available from skilled and experienced engineers on a full range of hydroelectric power projects, anywhere in the world.
 Thermal Power Generation
Thermal generation, in its many forms, is increasing in importance as a strategically sound and environmentally acceptable source of new capacity for many utilities, developers and users.
The traditional approach to thermal generation all over the World is undergoing radical reassessment, driven by an increased commitment by governments to reduce emissions. Less efficient coal-fired plants are being decommissioned, retrofitted for cleaner operation, converted to cleaner fuels, or replaced by new and cleaner combustion techniques such as high efficiency gas-fired combined cycle plants.
APECO has worked in all aspects of conventional thermal power generation, and also in alternative and experimental power and heat generation concepts.
 Transmission & Distribution
APECO has expertise in design and construction management of a wide variety of power transmission, substation and distribution facilities. We are active, with clients, in the investigation and development of new techniques for protecting, controlling and automating these facilities. We also have extensive experience in the design and implementation of systems for the management, maintenance and control of power transmission and distribution facilities.
APECO has extensive experience with Asset Management processes, including: high-level asset management, audits and asset management strategy investigations: asset condition assessment processes and techniques and development of asset management tools.
We provide the power industry with a total service package for the development of transmission and distribution facilities. These services range from initial investigations to final commissioning and include investment planning, feasibility studies, regulatory affairs, environmental permissions, detail designs, cost estimating, and project/construction management.
State-of-the-art planning and design techniques and tools are used to ensure optimal performance and cost of the facilities. |
