TECHNICAL STATE EVALUATION OF LITHUANIAN DAMS WITH SMALL HYDROPOWER PLANTS

Abstract

These days, all the world's dams have received a lot of attention, because most of them have reached their theoretical lifetime of the structure and a decision needs to be made considering the prospects: whether to repair and continue to operate the dam or to demolish and restore the natural flow of the river. The work aims to discuss the prospects of small hydroelectric dams in Lithuania. The work analyzes dams on salmon rivers for which the main purpose is hydropower. The research is carried out by conducting camera studies, visual assessment, analysis of the condition of the considered dams, and multi-criteria analysis using the PROMETHEE method. After carrying out a visual and condition assessment of dams with small hydroelectric power stations in Lithuania, it was established that the condition of the Balsku dam has improved, because in 2012–2013 reconstruction works have been carried out, and the 9 remaining dams deteriorated due to the aging process. After carrying out a multi-criteria analysis, it was found that the general condition of the Kuodziu and Kavarskas dams is the worst, and the greatest benefit would be achieved by dismantling these dams.