A Comparative Statistical Analysis of the Hydrological Status of (Dokan, Darbandikhan, and Hamrin) Lakes and Its Impact on Their Generation Capacities

Abstract

           Hydropower generated from river-based stations represents one of the most important renewable and clean electricity sources, commonly characterized by near-zero direct carbon emissions. Accordingly, it has gained increasing global attention in contemporary academic and applied research due to its promising role in supporting power systems and reducing dependence on fossil-fuel generation. This study examines the current status of electricity production at the Dokan, Darbandikhan, and Hamrin hydropower plants by statistically linking key hydrological elements—reservoir inflow, hydraulic head, and controlled releases—associated with the dams to the plants’ generated capacities over a selected period determined by data availability. Using (SPSS) hydrological elements were treated as independent variables and related to generation capacity derived from the turbine–generator units as the dependent variable. The results of the effective statistical comparison indicate noticeable variability in generation capacity, reflecting spatial and temporal changes in hydrological conditions and their influence on operational performance across the three stations. The selected stations are located in river basins of varying sizes and discharge rates. The Dokan station is situated on the Lesser Zab tributary west of Sulaymaniyah Governorate, the Darbandikhan station on the Diyala River near Darbandikhan District in Sulaymaniyah Governorate, and the Hamrin station on the Diyala River in Diyala Governorate.

The timeframe of the research is defined by official data on hydrological elements and electricity generation capacity for the period 2000-2017 for the stations under study. Official data and information on hydrological and electrical data were used and statistically processed using a methodology of analysis, interpretation, and correlation to meet the research requirements for hydrological and electrical data, aiming to either confirm or refute the research hypothesis.