Hydropower production without sacrificing environment: a case study of Ilisu Dam and Hasankeyf

The Ilisu Dam and HEPP Project, on the Tigris River in the South-Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey, has been under debate for more than half a century due to its possible adverse effects on the environment. In particular, the proposed inundation of the archaeological sites around Hasankeyf has prompted strong criticism from national and international organizations. The primary reason for the administration's insistence on construction of the dam is its energy production capacity. The present study is an assessment of an alternative solution that not only saves Hasankeyf with its countless ancient monuments from inundation but also supplies the projected energy production of Ilisu Dam.     

The Tigris hydropower system operations: the need for an integrated approach

The Tigris hydropower system is analyzed through an integrated operational policy. The operation algorithm is formulated in terms of non-linear programming to maximize energy production while satisfying water demands in the basin. The system is optimized for different cases, and the effects of system modifications in terms of the reservoir volume of Ilisu Dam and the demand constraints are examined. In addition, the state of the Garzan subsystem is analyzed to explore plant utilization when optimizing the entire system operations. The results show the necessity of such an integrated operation plan to supply water demands in the basin.