Overview
The Srinagarind Dam is a significant hydroelectric infrastructure project located in Si Sawat District, Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand. This embankment dam is situated on the Khwae Yai River and serves a dual purpose of river regulation and hydroelectric power generation. The facility is operated by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand and has been in operational status since its commissioning in 1980. The dam is named after Princess Srinagarindra, a prominent figure in Thai history, reflecting its national importance.
Technical Specifications and Capacity
The power station associated with the Srinagarind Dam has a total installed capacity of 720 megawatts (970,000 hp). A notable feature of this hydroelectric facility is its integrated pumped storage capability, which accounts for 360 megawatts (480,000 hp) of the total capacity. This pumped storage component enhances the flexibility of the power generation, allowing for efficient energy management and grid stability. The remaining 360 megawatts of capacity is derived from conventional hydroelectric generation, leveraging the flow of the Khwae Yai River.
Location and Environmental Context
Located in Kanchanaburi Province, the Srinagarind Dam plays a crucial role in the regional water management system. The Khwae Yai River, on which the dam is built, is a major tributary of the Menam (Chao Phraya) River, contributing significantly to the water resources of western Thailand. The dam's embankment structure helps regulate the river's flow, mitigating flood risks during the monsoon season and ensuring a steady water supply for downstream agricultural and municipal needs. The strategic placement in Si Sawat District allows for optimal utilization of the river's topography for power generation.
The operational history of the Srinagarind Dam spans several decades, with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand overseeing its maintenance and performance. As a key component of Thailand's energy infrastructure, the dam continues to contribute to the country's hydroelectric power output, supporting both local and national energy demands. The integration of pumped storage technology further underscores its importance in balancing the energy grid, particularly as variable renewable energy sources become more prevalent in the regional mix.
History and Construction
The development of the Srinagarind Dam began with preliminary feasibility studies conducted between 1967 and 1969. These initial assessments identified the Khwae Yai River in Si Sawat District, Kanchanaburi Province, as a strategic location for river regulation and hydroelectric power generation. Following the feasibility phase, the project entered a design period spanning from 1970 to 1977. This extended design phase was critical for finalizing the embankment dam structure and the integrated power station layout, which would eventually deliver a total capacity of 720 megawatts. The project was named in honor of Princess Srinagarindra, reflecting its significance to Thailand's energy infrastructure.
Construction and Cost Evolution
Construction of the Srinagarind Dam commenced in 1974. The physical build-out involved creating a major embankment structure to regulate the river flow and house the hydroelectric facilities. The project was completed and commissioned in 1980, bringing the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand's asset into operational status. The power station features a unique configuration, with 360 megawatts of conventional hydroelectric capacity and an additional 360 megawatts dedicated to pumped storage, totaling the 720-megawatt output.
Financial management of the project faced significant challenges during the construction years. The initial estimated cost was approximately US45million.However,asconstructionprogressed,thetotalexpenditurerosetoUS114 million. This substantial cost increase was primarily attributed to the need for fault line reinforcement. Geotechnical surveys and engineering assessments during the build revealed the necessity for additional structural strengthening to ensure the dam's stability along local geological fault lines. These reinforcements were essential to mitigate seismic risks and ensure the long-term operational integrity of the embankment. The completion of these critical engineering adjustments allowed the dam to reach full operational capacity by 1980, establishing it as a key component of Thailand's hydroelectric grid.
Engineering Design and Specifications
The Srinagarind Dam is an embankment dam situated on the Khwae Yai River in Si Sawat District of Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand. The structure serves dual purposes: river regulation and hydroelectric power generation. The dam was named after Princess Srinagarindra. The power station associated with the dam has a total capacity of 720 megawatts (970,000 hp), of which 360 megawatts (480,000 hp) is designated as pumped storage capacity. The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand operates the facility, which has been operational since its commissioning in 1980.Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Dam Type | Embankment dam |
| Location | Khwae Yai River, Si Sawat District, Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand |
| Height | 140 m |
| Length | 610 m |
| Reservoir Capacity | 17,745 million cubic metres |
| Total Installed Capacity | 720 MW |
| Pumped Storage Capacity | 360 MW |
| Operator | Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand |
| Commissioning Year | 1980 |
How does the pumped-storage system work?
The Srinagarind Dam operates as a combined run-of-river and pumped-storage hydroelectric facility, with a total installed capacity of 720 MW. This capacity is distributed across five Francis turbine units: three conventional turbines, each rated at 120 MW, and two reversible pump-turbines, each rated at 180 MW (per Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand operational data). The integration of pumped storage allows the power station to function flexibly within the national grid, balancing supply and demand through the strategic use of two reservoirs.
Peak and Off-Peak Generation Cycles
The pumped-storage system relies on the elevation difference between an upper reservoir and a lower reservoir, which is formed by the embankment dam on the Khwae Yai River. During periods of low electricity demand, typically at night or on weekends, the two 180 MW units operate in reverse as pumps. They draw water from the lower reservoir and lift it to the upper reservoir, effectively storing potential energy. This process consumes electricity generated by other sources, such as thermal or solar plants, smoothing out the grid load.
When electricity demand peaks, usually during daytime working hours or hot summer afternoons, the system switches to generation mode. Water is released from the upper reservoir, flowing through the two 180 MW pump-turbines and the three 120 MW conventional turbines. This combined output contributes significantly to the 720 MW total capacity, providing rapid-response power to stabilize frequency and voltage. The flexibility of the Francis turbines allows them to start and stop quickly, making them ideal for covering sudden spikes in consumption. The lower reservoir also serves the broader purpose of river regulation, aiding in flood control and water supply for the Si Sawat District of Kanchanaburi Province. The dam, named after Princess Srinagarindra, has been operational since 1980, serving as a critical infrastructure asset for Thailand's energy mix.
Why it matters
The Srinagarind Dam stands as a critical infrastructure asset within Thailand’s national energy matrix, serving as a dual-purpose facility for river regulation and hydroelectric power generation on the Khwae Yai River in Si Sawat District, Kanchanaburi Province. With an installed capacity of 720 MW, the plant represents a significant contribution to the country’s renewable energy portfolio, operated by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand since its commissioning in 1980. The facility’s design incorporates a substantial pumped storage component, accounting for 360 MW of the total output, which enhances grid stability by allowing for flexible power dispatch during peak demand periods. This technical configuration underscores the dam’s strategic importance in balancing variable energy loads across the national grid.
Engineering and Geographic Context
The construction of the Srinagarind Dam presented notable engineering challenges due to its location along the Khwae Yai River, a region characterized by complex geological formations. The site selection and structural design had to account for local tectonic activity, ensuring the embankment dam’s resilience against seismic forces inherent to the area. The successful integration of hydroelectric generation within this geologically active zone highlights the technical expertise applied during the project’s development in the late 20th century. The dam’s ability to manage water flow while generating power reflects a balanced approach to resource utilization, supporting both agricultural needs downstream and energy production for urban centers.
Cultural and Historical Significance
Beyond its technical specifications, the Srinagarind Dam holds cultural significance as it is named after Princess Srinagarindra, a prominent member of the Thai royal family. This naming convention reflects the tradition of honoring royal figures in major national infrastructure projects, linking the physical structure to the broader social and historical fabric of Thailand. The dam serves not only as a source of energy but also as a landmark that commemorates the contributions of the royal family to the nation’s development. Its continued operation reinforces its role as a enduring symbol of progress and engineering achievement in the Kanchanaburi region.
What distinguishes Srinagarind from other Thai dams?
Srinagarind Dam is distinguished within Thailand’s hydroelectric infrastructure by its dual-capacity design, combining conventional run-of-the-river generation with a significant pumped-storage component. The facility, operated by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, has a total installed capacity of 720 MW (per Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand operational data). Of this total, 360 MW is allocated to pumped storage, while the remaining 360 MW is derived from standard hydroelectric generation. This 50/50 split is a notable engineering feature, allowing the dam to function not only as a primary power source but also as a flexible energy buffer for the national grid.
Pumped Storage vs. Standard Hydro Generation
The integration of 360 MW of pumped storage capacity differentiates Srinagarind from many of Thailand’s other major embankment dams, which often rely exclusively on conventional turbine flow. Pumped storage operates by moving water between two reservoirs at different elevations. During periods of low electricity demand, excess power is used to pump water from a lower reservoir to an upper one. When demand peaks, the water is released back through turbines to generate electricity. This mechanism provides critical grid stability and load-balancing capabilities that standard hydro plants, which depend primarily on seasonal river flow, may lack. The ability to store energy in the form of potential water height allows the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand to optimize the output of the 720 MW total capacity, ensuring that the 360 MW of pumped storage can be deployed strategically to meet fluctuating energy needs.
Location and River Regulation
The dam is situated on the Khwae Yai River in Si Sawat District, Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand. Its location on the Khwae Yai is strategic for river regulation, which is one of the primary purposes of the structure alongside power generation. The embankment design manages the flow of the Khwae Yai, mitigating seasonal variations that can affect downstream hydroelectric efficiency. While the specific turbine configuration details are not extensively detailed in general operational summaries, the presence of both standard and pumped-storage turbines implies a complex mechanical setup capable of handling bidirectional water flow or separate turbine sets for each mode. The dam was commissioned in 1980 and was named after Princess Srinagarindra, reflecting its significance in the region's infrastructure development.
Operational Timeline
The Srinagarind Dam, located on the Khwae Yai River in Si Sawat District, Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand, serves dual purposes of river regulation and hydroelectric power generation. This capacity is divided into two distinct operational components: 360 megawatts of conventional hydroelectric generation and 360 megawatts of pumped storage capacity. The dam is named after Princess Srinagarindra.
Commissioning History
The power station became operational in 1980, marking the beginning of energy production from the Khwae Yai River basin. The initial commissioning established the baseline capacity for the region's grid, leveraging the natural flow of the river for conventional generation. The integration of pumped storage technology allowed for greater flexibility in load management, enabling the facility to store energy during periods of low demand and release it during peak hours.
While the initial operational status was achieved in 1980, the full realization of the 720-megawatt capacity involved a phased commissioning process extending through the 1980s and concluding in 1991. This timeline reflects the gradual integration of the four generator units that comprise the station's total output. The extension of the commissioning period allowed for the optimization of the pumped storage mechanisms, which utilize the elevation difference between the upper reservoir and the lower river level to maximize efficiency.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1980 | Initial commissioning of the Srinagarind Dam power station, beginning hydroelectric generation on the Khwae Yai River. |
| 1980–1991 | Phased commissioning of generator units to reach full installed capacity. |
| 1991 | Completion of the commissioning timeline for the full 720-megawatt capacity, including 360 megawatts of pumped storage. |
The completion of the commissioning phase in 1991 solidified the Srinagarind Dam's role in Thailand's energy infrastructure. The facility continues to operate under the management of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, contributing to the stability of the national grid through its combined conventional and pumped storage capabilities. The dam's embankment structure and reservoir management remain critical for both power generation and river regulation in the Kanchanaburi Province.
See also
- Feed-in tariffs for solar energy in Thailand
- Biomass power plants and health problems among nearby residents: a case study in Thailand
- Gussing Renewable Energy: Company profile and technology
- Kaplan turbine working: CFD investigation and experimental validation
- Khani Khola Hydropower Station