North Ossetia is rich in turbulent mountain rivers. These rivers have enormous potential in hydropower. The expected potential of the Ossetian rivers is 5 billion kWh / year. Nevertheless, to date, North Ossetia is an energy-deficient region, and its electrification has not been completed.
The idea to build hydroelectric power plants in this area arose in 1976. Then, the construction of the Zaramagskaya hydroelectric power station on the Ardon cascade began here.
general information
The construction of the hydroelectric power station continued for many years. In the 90s, construction work stopped financing. In 2009, the head Zaramagskaya hydroelectric power station was finally launched.
Its location was not chosen by chance. The river on which the hydroelectric station is located is called Ardon. The name Ardon is translated into Russian as "violent river." It originates in the glaciers of the Greater Caucasus.
Below the exit of the river from the Tual basin for 16 thousand meters, the height differences of the Ardon channel reach 700 meters. Due to such features of the riverbed, the connection scheme of the Zaramagskaya hydroelectric station is derivational.
In total, there are three main schemes for creating a water pressure of a hydroelectric power station:
1) Dam - when the pressure is created using a dam.
2) Derivative - when the pressure of water is created by derivation in the form of a tunnel or channel for water.
3) Dam-derivational - when the pressure of water is formed using a dam and derivations.
Moreover, the dam is present at hydroelectric stations built according to any of these schemes.
The derivation scheme is most preferable for all hydroelectric power plants, where the river flows under a large slope.
The start-up of the station strengthened the hope that one day North Ossetia would become non-volatile. Now Zaramagskaya hydroelectric power station is one of the youngest industrial hydropower plants in Russia.
Launch of the headend
The head Zaramagskaya hydroelectric power station was launched modestly. According to local tradition, the launch was blessed by an energy veteran, the station’s oldest employee. He offered prayer and offered offerings to God. Olibakhs are used here as an offering - these are local pies with barley beer.
Scheme and principle of operation of the headend
The headend is needed in order to use the water pressure created by the dam. She extinguishes it and gives it to the derivational tunnel. The tunnel is non-pressure, its length is 14 thousand meters. After the tunnel, water enters the turbines of Zaramagskaya HPP-1. The water conduit has a height difference of 630 meters.
Dam
The dam is located near the exit of the river from the Tual basin. It is bulk, made of pebbles and soil. The length of the structure is 300 meters and the height is 39 meters.
The dam is based on an anti-filtration core. The core is made of loam. The fact that the dam array itself is huge and at the same time has some mobility ensures the reliability of the entire structure.
The Republic of North Ossetia is in the zone of increased seismic hazard. Here tremors are possible with a capacity of 8-9 points on the Richter scale. For conventional hydropower plants, such shocks could be a serious danger. Zaramagskaya hydroelectric power station is designed in such a way that its dam can easily withstand tremors with a force of 11.25 points.
Station Reservoir
Speaking about the reservoir, first of all, we note the unusual nature of the area where it is located. Since the station is located in the mountains of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, the nature here, of course, is very beautiful. Most often it’s windy in the mountains, but on calm days the dam of the hydroelectric power station fascinates everyone with its view. The water that comes here from the Ardon River is clean and clear. In autumn, you can admire the mountain slopes covered with golden shrubs of sea buckthorn. The beauty of the surrounding nature and the reservoir itself is the main reason for the large number of tourists who are attracted to the Zaramagskaya hydroelectric station. Photos near the dam of the station, near the reservoir or against the backdrop of the mountains - hundreds of tourists who come here on an excursion usually brag to their friends.
Dam and reservoir specifications
Hydrologists regularly conduct water surveys and monitor the work of the dam. The filling of the reservoir began in 2009. Its total volume is about 10.5 million cubic meters. m. Water surface area - 2.5 square kilometers.
What is the difference between Zaramagskaya hydroelectric power station and other hydroelectric power plants? An altitude of 169 meters is the normal estimated retaining level of the dam. With such a retaining level, the height of the embankment should be about 1708 meters. The station was built in such a way that, if necessary, the height of the dam can be increased.
Electrical part
The headend together with the dam water receiver constitutes a separate energy unit. Through a pressure tunnel with a length of 675 meters, water enters the station’s hydraulic unit. The hydraulic unit is located in the coastal station building. The turbine is also located here. The turbine at the station is rotary-vane, with an impeller diameter of 350 centimeters. This device weighs about 30 tons.
The power of the hydraulic unit depends on the height of the water intake at the dam. With a normal water level of 18.6 meters, the device’s capacity is 15 MW, and with an increase in the height of the dam, the power can reach 33 MW.
After all construction and installation works are completed at Zaramagskaya HPP-1, the capacity of the hydraulic unit will decrease to about 10 MW. It is planned that the station will produce 34.5 million kWh / year in standalone mode and 23 million kWh / year after the Zaramagskaya HPP-1 is put into operation.
Zaramagskaya HPP is equipped with the most modern protection and automation systems today. The security system consists of a single monitoring system. Hydroelectric station specialists conduct field observations and can easily assess the reliability and safety of plant facilities thanks to new monitoring equipment installed on the dam.
Archaeological research
The lands where the Zaramagskaya hydroelectric power station is located store objects of the cultural and historical heritage of Russia. Simultaneously with the start of construction of the cascade of hydroelectric power stations, it was decided to start large-scale archaeological excavations in the territory planned to be used as a hydroelectric power station reservoir. Due to insufficient funding, archaeological searches were temporarily curtailed. In order to preserve evidence of life and life of the peoples of the south of Russia, the RusHydro company, which is engaged in the construction of a hydroelectric power station, allocated money from its own budget for archaeological work in this region. Scientists have discovered rings made of copper and silver of various eras with both Christian and Muslim symbols.
Researchers also studied the burial ground "Mamisondon", dated 9-7 century. BC e. It is located at the confluence of the Nardon and Mamisondon rivers, at their confluence with Ardon. What nationalities this burial ground belonged to today is not established. It is assumed that this historical monument was formed during the Khazar wars. Arabs and Khazars repeatedly fought among themselves in these parts at that time period.
At a distance of 4.5 kilometers from Zaramag there is another historical object - Kasarsky fortification. The word "Qasar" is of Arab origin and means "castle", "palace".
All the data obtained as a result of archaeological research in this area were systematized and executed in a book, which should soon be published.
Zaramagskaya HPP-1
Not so long ago, the construction of a vertical trunk was completed at Zaramagskaya HPP-1. This building is one of the highest pressure in the entire territory of the Russian Federation. The height of the shaft is 508 meters, the pressure inside is about 60 atmospheres. The construction of the tunnel between the parent station and the main energy center of the cascade in the village of Mizur has been completed.
According to the work plan, Zaramagskaya HPP-1 will be launched only on December 25, 2018. After its launch, the deficit of electricity in North Ossetia will no longer be 80%, as it is now, but only 30%.
Where is Zaramagskaya hydroelectric power station located?
Company address: Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, Vladikavkaz, ul. Pervomaiskaya, 34. You can contact the employees of the Zaramagskaya hydroelectric station and find out more information about the construction of the station on the official website.