Cost-effectiveness of Hydroelectric Turbines and Pumps as an Alternative to Pressure-Reducing Valves for Electricity Production in Irrigation Lines in Turkey

In the present information era, the carrying out of information is the most prominent subject, and second to that is the subject of energy. In order to prevent damage, the excess pressure caused by the elevation difference between water sources and irrigated areas is reduced via pressure-reducing valves. The Yozgat Halikoy Dam was investigated to examine the effect of replacing and connecting pressure-reducing valves in parallel with the mini-hydro turbine and also pumps as turbines (PATs). In the study, the cost of installing a turbine or PAT in the irrigation system was compared with the financial gain of electricity that could be obtained after this change. Since the turbine or PAT installation cost will be amortized over many years, the interest rate has been taken into account. Ten different ratios of cultivation in the irrigation area and two different interest ratios were considered for this study. The calculations were completed with an interest ratio of 9.5% operated by the Turkish State Hydraulic Works. When a PAT was installed, the investment was found to be economically positive, and the benefit–cost ratio was greater than or equal to 1 when the irrigation ratios were equal to 100%, 90%, 80%, 70%, and 10%. The calculations were revised with the government bank’s annual currency interest rate of 2.85%, and the benefit–cost ratio was over 1 for all irrigation ratios. For turbine usage, the calculations were renewed using both the interest rates. Turbine installation was not feasible. Research has shown that green energy generation using PATs is an economical investment for Turkey. Graphical abstract: (Figure presented.)