Qorlortorsuaq Dam
Qorlortorsuaq Dam is a hydroelectric dam near Qorlortorsuaq in the Nanortalik district of the Kujalleq municipality in southern Greenland. It has a capacity of 7.2 MW and it generates power for the neighbouring towns of Qaqortoq and Narsaq.
| Qorlortorsuaq Dam | |
|---|---|
  Location of Qorlortorsuaq Dam in Greenland | |
| Country | Greenland |
| Coordinates | 60°46′45.90″N 45°14′27.27″W |
| Status | Operational |
| Construction began | 2003 |
| Opening date | 2007 |
| Owner(s) | Nukissiorfiit |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Gravity |
| Height | 15 m (49 ft) |
| Length | 80 m (262 ft) |
| Spillway capacity | 3.9 m3/s (138 cu ft/s) |
| Reservoir | |
| Total capacity | 108,000,000 m3 (88,000 acre⋅ft) |
| Surface area | 2.4–5.1 km2 (0.9–2.0 sq mi) |
| Coordinates | 60°46′33.98″N 45°14′13.19″W |
| Operator(s) | Landsvirkjun |
| Turbines | 2 x 3.8 MW |
| Installed capacity | 7.6 MW |
| Annual generation | 27 GWh |
History
The construction of the power plant started in December 2003 and was completed in October 2007.[1] It was built by consortium of E. Pihl & Son AS (51%), YIT (34%), and Landsvirkjun (15%). Landsvirkjun operates the power plant until 2012, when operation will be transferred to the Kujalleq municipality.[2] The design and engineering was performed by Icelandic companies Verkís and Efla.[3]
Description
Qorlortorsuaq Dam is a concrete gravity dam with height of 15 metres (49 ft) and crest length of 80 metres (260 ft). It creates a reservoir with a capacity of 108 million cubic meters.[4] Its tunnel length is 245 metres (804 ft) and pressure pipe is 245 metres (804 ft).[1] The flow rate is 3.9 cubic metres per second (140 cu ft/s).[3]
The power plant as two horizontal axis Francis turbines manufactured by Kössler with a total installed capacity of 7.6 MW. Its annual generation is 27 GWh.[4] A crew of four maintains the power plant.
Together with the power plant a 70 kilometres (43 mi) long high voltage (70 kV) line to Qaqortoq and Narsaq was erected.[4][5] It passes the Igaliko Fjord, a more than 2 km long span, approximate between these two pylons: 60.812446°N 45.661606°W and 60.777958°N 45.595286°W.
Green Power program
The hydropower plant is part of the plan of the Greenland Home Rule government to replace fossil fuelled energy production and storage with sustainable power production. [6]
References
- "Hydro Power Plant Qorlortorsuaq, Greenland" (PDF). ÍSTAK Ltd. Retrieved 2008-02-16.
- "Ny stor spændende ordre: Vandkraftværk Qorlortorsuaq, Grønland" [New large exciting order: Qorlortorsuaq Hydroelectric Plant, Greenland] (Press release) (in Danish). YIT Denmark. 2004-01-06. Retrieved 2011-02-13.
- "Qorlortorsuaq — Hydroelectric Project". Verkís. Retrieved 2011-02-13.
- "Small Hydroelectric, Qorlortorsuaq". Mannvit Engineering. Retrieved 2011-02-13.
- "Flight Information". Narsarsuaq Airport. Retrieved 2013-05-31.
Caution. Powerlines has been established.
- "Greenland opens hydrogen plant for renewable energy storage". Renewable Energy Focus. Retrieved 2011-02-15.