Fratel Dam

Dam in Vila Velha de Ródão, Portugal
39°32′34.1″N 7°48′10.4″W / 39.542806°N 7.802889°W / 39.542806; -7.802889PurposePowerStatusOperationalOpening date1973Owner(s)Companhia Portuguesa de Produção de ElectricidadeOperator(s)Energias de PortugalDam and spillwaysType of damConcrete gravity damImpoundsTagusHeight (foundation)48 m (157 ft)Height (thalweg)43 m (141 ft)Length240 m (790 ft)Elevation at crest87 m (285 ft)Dam volume124,000 m3 (4,400,000 cu ft)Spillway typeDam bodySpillway capacity16,500 m3 (580,000 cu ft)ReservoirTotal capacity92,500,000 m3 (75,000 acre⋅ft)Active capacity21,000,000 m3 (17,000 acre⋅ft)Surface area10 km2 (3.9 sq mi)Normal elevation74 m (243 ft)Operator(s)Energias de PortugalCommission date1974Hydraulic head28.8 m (94 ft) (max)Turbines3 x 45.6 MW Kaplan-typeInstalled capacity132 MWAnnual generation357.9 GWh

Fratel Dam (Portuguese: Barragem de Fratel) is a concrete gravity dam on the Tagus, where the river forms the border line between the districts of Castelo Branco and Portalegre. It is located in the municipality Vila Velha de Ródão, in Castelo Branco District, Portugal.

The dam was completed in 1973. It is owned by Companhia Portuguesa de Produção de Electricidade (CPPE).[1] The construction of the dam meant the flooding of most of the tens of thousands of petroglyphs found in the Tagus valley rock art area.[2]

Dam

Fratel Dam is a 48 m tall (height above foundation) and 240 m long gravity dam with a crest altitude of 87 m. The volume of the dam is 124,000 m³. The spillway is part of the dam body (6 radial gates with a maximum discharge capacity of 16,500 m³/s).[1]

Reservoir

At full reservoir level of 74 m (maximum flood level of 76 m) the reservoir of the dam has a surface area of 10 (7,3)[3] km² and its total capacity is 92.5 mio. m³. The active capacity is 21 mio. m³. Minimum operating level is 71 m.[1]

Power plant

The run-of-the-river hydroelectric power plant went operational in 1974.[4] It is owned by CPPE, but operated by EDP.[5] The plant has a nameplate capacity of 132[3][5][4] (130)[1][6] MW. Its average annual generation is 357,9[4] (327,[3] 347.5[1][5] or 382[6]) GWh.

The power station contains 3 Kaplan turbine-generators with 45.6 MW (50 MVA) each in a dam powerhouse. The turbine rotation is 150 rpm. The minimum hydraulic head is 17.8 m, the maximum 28.8 m. Maximum flow per turbine is 250 m³/s.[4]

See also

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  • iconWater portal
  • iconRenewable energy portal

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "FRATEL DAM". APA Barragens de Portugal. Retrieved 2015-02-21.
  2. ^ Arcá, Andrea (2001). "Damned dams again: the plight of Portuguese rock art" (PDF). Rock Art Research. 18.
  3. ^ a b c "DECLARAÇÃO AMBIENTAL 2012" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Energias de Portugal. pp. 50 (48). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-11-03. Retrieved 2015-02-07.
  4. ^ a b c d "Fratel Informação Técnica" (in Portuguese). Energias de Portugal. Archived from the original on 2017-08-15. Retrieved 2015-02-21.
  5. ^ a b c "Fratel Hydroelectric Power Plant Portugal". Global Energy Observatory. Retrieved 2015-02-21.
  6. ^ a b "Hidroelectricidade em Portugal memória e desafio" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Rede Eléctrica Nacional, S.A. p. 29 (27). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-06-27. Retrieved 2015-02-05.
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