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<br />CHAPTER ill: FEASmlLITY <br /> <br /> <br />All successful engineering projects are based on a <br />suitable blend of technical, economic, and environ- <br />mental factors. These factors must be assessed at <br />several times and at varying levels of detail during the <br />development of a hydroelectric power site. The <br />prefeasibility assessment, feasibility evaluation, <br />licensing and permitting, design, and construction <br />stages of a hydropower project are all shaped by the <br />technical, economic, and environmental factors rele- <br />vant to that site. <br /> <br />Prefeasibility Study <br /> <br />Typically, the technical and economic factors are <br />initially addressed by performing a relatively <br />complete, but small scale, investigation of the site. <br />Studies of this type are usually called prefeasibility, <br />reconnaissance, or appraisal studies. They answer <br />such questions as: Should I perform a detailed feasi- <br />bility study? What is the hydropower potential of this <br />site? About how much money is involved? They are <br />designed to significantly reduce the risk of investing <br />substantial sums to develop a project only to learn <br />that it is not feasible. <br /> <br />Prefeasibility studies are based on estimates of head, <br />average annual flow, cost data from similar projects, <br />and proper application of cost curves, simplified <br />formulas, and rules of thumb. A prefeasibility study <br />normally costs a magnitude less than a comprehensive <br />feasibility study, or from $2,000 to $15,000 per site, <br />depending on site, existing work IDld environmental <br />factors. The validity of the results depends heavily on <br />the experience and judgment of the person analyzing <br />the site. Quotes should be obtained from at least <br />three sources. <br /> <br />19 <br />