Energy potential of the Estonian rivers

In the current study the river runoff, its long-term distribution and river slope were considered as factors in the evaluation of the hydro energy potential of the Estonian rivers. The analyses of the long-term runoff hydrographs showed the increase of the maximum discharges and the decrease of the minimum discharges, at the same time mean annual discharges were almost unchanged. It indicated that seasonal variability of the runoff decreased. The evaluation of the hydro energy potential of rivers showed, that the Narva and Paernu rivers are the most suitable for hydro energy production, then in decreasing order - the Kasari, Pedja, Piusa, Halliste, Vohandu, Jaegala rivers etc. The analyses of the Rannapungerja river runoff showed, that the activity of the restored Tudulinna hydropower plant had an influence on runoff in 2001: the minimum discharge was less than permitted by the legislative acts. Thus, the environmental aspects should have a high priority in hydropower plants reconstruction(author)