LARGE SCALE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT FINANCING POSSIBILITIES IN LITHUANIA

Summary

This paper deals with the role of IPP and the global experience in implementation of BOOT (build, own, operate, transfer) financing. IPP (Independent Power Producer) generally develops projects under the BOOT structure and its variants (BOO, ROOT, ROO). IPP is important because of forthcoming restructuring, liberalization and privatization of Lithuanian power sector. IPP would help to reduce pressure on public sector debt and would stimulate power market to competition in Lithuania. The IPP is the most popular form of private power investment. The Government has to provide business environment that allows an internationally competitive rate of return on investment, draw up and enforce regulation for IPP. Taking into account the current economic situation in Lithuania there is no possibilities to finance large HPP construction from the state budget.

The most perspective hydro power plant from cascade of hydro power plants on the Nemunas is Birstonas HPP with total installed capacity of 72 MW and annual electricity production of 302 kWh. Construction of Birstonas HPP on the Nemunas can be financed by BOT model. BOT model is useful for large scale HPP construction.

It is expected that more than 40 different contracts have to be settled during development of the project. A long period - from 6 to 10 years will be needed from the very beginning up to finalization and signing of all contracts and the start of works. Within this period the new Lithuanian laws and regulations have to be established so that the foreign investment in the form of BOT becomes legally possible. It has to be noted that similar work in this direction is already done in Lithuania. The Swedish company Wattenfall is going to rent Kaunas Municipality heating network for upgrading and operating up to 15 years. The construction of Birstonas HPP would take at least 5-7 years and the commissioning could take place in approx. 2015. After 15 years of operation the Birstonas HPP could be transferred to the Lithuanian Government in 2030.

The total investment costs of Birstonas HPP are approx. 150 M$. The financing structure could consist of a 15% (22.5 M$) of equity paid in by the investors, 64% (96.0 M$) by export credits of the involved countries and further 21% (31.5M$) by commercial loans. The remaining part could be covered by operating revenues during construction period. The investment will be repaid by the sale of electricity during the 15-years operation period.

It is important to maintain the role of Government in HPP construction in order to reduce political risk and promote privatization. The success of BOT model application will depend on the proper selection of partners for consortium well-grounded evaluation of construction costs and establishment of the real schedules for construction.

Keywords: independent power producer, Birstonas HPP financing model.

• Habil.dr. Juozas BURNEIKIS, senior scientific researcher of Energy Economy and Policy Department, Lithuanian Energy Institute.
  • Main tendencies of scientific researches - water resources, hydropower, energy economy and ecology.
  • Address: Breslaujos 3, LT-3035 Kaunas. Tel. 8 27 453550. El. paštas: dalia@isag.lei.lt
• Dr. Dalia STREIMIKIENE, scientific researcher of Energy Economy and Policy Department, Lithuanian Energy Institute.
  • Main tendencies of scientific researches - environmental economy, energy policy and environmental regulation.
  • Address: Breslaujos 3, LT-3035 Kaunas. Tel. 8 27 453550. El. paštas: dalia@isag.lei.lt
• Petras PUNYS , Assoc. Prof. of Water Management Department, Lithuanian University of Agriculture.
  • Main tendencies of scientific researches - hydrology, hydropower, management of water resources.
  • Address: Universiteto 10, LT-4324, Kaunas-Akademija. Tel (370) 7 397 337. E-mail: punys@eko.lzua.lt .

Article received 02 2000, given to print 09 2000

THE RESEARCH ON IRRIGATION OF BLACK CURRANTS

Summary

As requirement for fruits and berries is constantly growing, areas of gardens and berry plantations - especially those of black currants - for industrial remaking also yearly grow. Black currant plantation areas amount to about 300 hectares, and they are going to grow to 1000 hectares.

Water requirements or total evaporation during a period of vegetation was investigated in 1996-1999 in Lithuanian University of Agriculture and Vidmantu Kretingos District objects. The dependence of total evaporation on climatic conditions and biological characteristics of black currants has been investigated. The data of investigation is used in counting of irrigation conditions in black currant fields by the method of soil water balance. Mobile overhead irrigation equipment can be used for irrigation of berry crop.

Keywords: plants' demand for water, soil moisture, irrigation

• Habil.dr.Aloyzas DIRSE, Professor of Land Reclamation Department, Lithuanian University of Agriculture.
  • Main tendencies of scientific researches - soil water regime regulation, drainage, irrigation.
  • Address: Universiteto 10, LT-4324, Kaunas-Akademija. Tel. 8 27 397781.
• Dr. Zigmas GALMINAS, Associate professor of Land Management Department, Lithuanian University of Agriculture.
  • Main tendencies of scientific researches - soil water regime regulation, drainage, irrigation.
  • Address: Universiteto 10, LT-4324, Kaunas-Akademija. Tel. 8 27 397781.
• Alfredas KEŽELIS, Senior assist. of Land Management Department, Lithuanian University of Agriculture.
  • .Main tendencies of scientific researches - soil water regime regulation, drainage, irrigation.
  • Address: Universiteto 10, LT-4324, Kaunas-Akademija. Tel. 8 27 397781.

Article received 02 2000, given to print 09 2000

STORM DATA ANALYSIS AND SURFACE RUNOFF MODELING

Antanas DUMBRAUSKAS

Summary

The process of overland flow depends very much on storm structure. Distribution of rainfall intensity is very different in separate regions, because it depends on variation of meteorological conditions. Therefore, it is very important to understand phenomenon of storms and take into account when designing water sewers.

During last decade Western countries and especially in United States of America developed great amount of software for surface runoff and water sewer design. All this software requires more input data than simple empirical methods, used in Lithuania. One of the most important of them is a data of hypothetical storm.

This paper presents the results of storm duration-quantity analysis and numerical experiments of overland flow modeling with MikeShe model. Data of Kaunas meteorological station for 20-year period were analyzed. The empirical equations obtained for hypothetical storms dividing storm data into for quartiles according to peak intensity. Those hypothetical storms were used to calculate surface runoff for dummy area with different distribution of runoff coefficients. The influence of storm structure and surface cover on peak discharge has been estimated.

Nevertheless, it is more theoretical and numeric character analysis; it will give some ideas introducing new methods in overland flow calculation and sewer design.

Keywords: storm, overland flow, rainfall intensity, mathematical modeling.

• Antanas DUMBRAUSKAS, Assoc. Prof. of Water Management Department, Lithuanian University of Agriculture.
  • Main tendencies of scientific researches - principles and mathematics modelling of overland flow formation, the application of GIS in hydrology and flood modelling.
  • Address: Universiteto 10, LT-4324, Kaunas-Akademija. Tel 397337. El. paštas: Tonis@hidro.lzua.lt

Article received 05 2000, given to print 09 2000

THE ANALYSIS OF LAND USAGE IN MIDDLE REGIONS OF LITHUANIA

Virginija GURSKIENE

Summary

It was decided to carry out the investigation on the situation of real land usage in middle regions of Lithuania when it became clear that there is shortage of reliable and detailed information about agricultural subjects. Eight regions as research objects have been determined. Specialists from State Land Management Enterprises have been answering to the questions on prepared special forms. The workers of local authorities helped specialists to answer the questions. The real situation of the usage of private and personal farm lands; the situation of agricultural companies, reasons of their weakness; the state of improved agricultural farming lands; the requirement on the building of houses and roads in the places of cadastre; the situation of land market of agricultural destination and other questions have been analyzed in this work. Correlation connections between percentage of renting owners as well as of not using land ones and between productivity point of agricultural farming lands and productivity point of the buying-selling agricultural destination, price of rent have been determined.

Keywords: agricultural farming land, land-tenure.

• Virginija GURSKIENE, student for doctor degree of Lithuanian University of Agriculture.
  • Main tendencies of scientific researches - territory planning, agricultural farming land usage and market.
  • Address:Universiteto 10, LT-4324 Kaunas - Akademija. Tel. 8 27 397732. El. paštas: virgag@info.lzua.lt

Article received 08 2000, given to print 09 2000

THE RESEARCH ON BUILDING CHARACTERISTIC OF PRESSED LOAMY SOIL

Summary

During construction period (arranging foundation, basement, etc.) much soil is excavated. This soil is not favourable for growing agricultural crops. Therefore it is taken to dumps or other places and it pollutes environment. While pressing this soil it is possible to produce blocks, bricks or other articles which can serve for various purposes of certain building constructions.

On the other hand such usage of this soil would lower prices of building constructions what is very urgent at present, especially in rural areas.

Construction articles can be pressed from loamy, sublime or sandy soils, but for their wider usage investigations should be carried out.

The article presents the results of trials on the strength of pressed loam soil samples to pressing depending on loam pressing pressure, its moisture and length of storing before the trial.

Keywords: loam, pressing, the strength of compression, moisture.

• Jonas JUODIS, Associate professor of Building Constructions Department, Lithuanian University of Agriculture.
  • Main tendencies of scientific researches- hydraulic engineering, building constructions.
  • Address: Universiteto 10, LT-4324 Kaunas - Akademija. Tel. 8 27 397298. El.paštas: stat@hidro.lzua.lt
• Dr. Feliksas MIKUCKIS, Associate professor of Building Constructions Department, Lithuanian University of Agriculture.
  • Main tendencies of scientific researches. - hydraulic engineering, building materials.
  • Address: Universiteto 10, LT-4324 Kaunas - Akademija. Tel. 8 27 397298. El.paštas: statyba@hidro.lzua.lt

Article received 06 2000, given to print 09 2000

THE ANALYSIS OF THE CRITERIA OF ECONOMICAL AND ECOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF RENATURALIZED DRAINED LAND

Algis KVARACIEJUS

Summary

The part of drained land is not used and itself overgrown by wetlands plants, shrubs and trees. The self-renaturalization is in progress. Due to difficult prognosis of course and results of renaturalization, that process must be regulated. In that case some not effective drained land and land not used for agricultural purposes should be planted by trees, and part of land should be renaturalised restoring destroyed landscape and biodiversity. The renaturalization of drained land is restoration of landscape components to the primary natural condition, restoring hydrological, hydraulical, physical and chemical processes, the characteristics of biological communities, ecological functions and dynamical equilibrium.

The uses and protective law regulations of renaturalised land (the definition and changing of the proper purpose of land use, the changes of land property forms, creation of protected areas in early used for agriculture areas) and the main groups of renaturalized drained land evaluation criteria - ecological and economical criteria are analysed. The ecological and economical criteria of renaturalized drained land due to different interests and results of evaluation are absolutely reverse. The monetary expression of growing production evaluate the economical criteria of land. Unfortunately it does not show ecological value of territory. The group of ecological criteria defines ecological value of territory.

Keywords: ecological and economical criteria, renaturalization.

• Algis KVARACIEJUS, Student for doctor degree of Lithuanian University of Agriculture
  • Main tendencies of scientific researches - renaturalization of drained land.
  • Address: Universiteto 10, LT-4324, Kaunas-Akademija. Tel. 8 27 397337. El. paštas: kvaraciejus@takas.lt

Article received 06 2000, given to print 09 2000

INVESTIGATION OF LITHUANIAN PEOPLE'S ATTITUDE TOWARDS WETLANDS - SOCIAL RESEARCH APPROACH

Summary

The overall aim of this research is to examine the factors influencing the implementation of wetland management plans in Lithuania. The successful implementation of wetland management plans to a great extent depends on the public's perception of wetlands, on co-operation and support from local people. The purpose of the preliminary field research was to develop some understanding of Lithuanian people's attitudes towards wetlands, looking into such issues as the significance of wetlands among other ecosystems, values that people recognise in wetlands and the importance of wetland preservation. The research aimed to obtain: people's attitudes and opinions on above mentioned questions; the explanation what people considered in choosing one or another answer; and the depth of knowledge on the subject.

The paper examines methods that were used in the research, the considerations made in selecting the particular methods as well as sampling respondents and providing the actual profile of respondents. Also it analyses the results, investigating how people answered the questions, how they explained the particular choice of answer and what is the position of the government on the subject. The paper searches for the connection between the country's history and people's perception of wetlands and provides the conclusions of the research.

Keywords: wetland, management, questionnaire, importance of ecosystem.

• Diana LATSANOVSKY, student for doctor degree, Royal Holloway University of London, England
  • Main tendencies of scientific researches - environment risk assessment, cultural geography.
  • Address: tel. 8 10 44 208 653 0375. E-mail: d.latsanovsky@rhbnc.ac.uk
• Dr. Juozapas VYCIUS, Associate professor of Hydraulic Engineering Department, Lithuanian University of Agriculture
  • Main tendencies of scientific researches - nature protection, hydropower, waste water treatment.
  • Address: Universiteto 10, LT-4324 Kaunas-Akademija, tel. 8 27 397793. E-mail: ht@nora.lzua.lt

Article received 07 2000, given to print 09 2000

INVESTIGATION OF WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS IN SETTLEMENTS OF ALYTUS REGION

Summary

Most of small wastewater treatment systems in Lithuania were built in 1970 - 1985, however due to various reasons these systems nowadays became ineffective. Not sufficient financing of exploitation of mentioned systems and non-qualified operation of plants cause their detoriation. Therefore the investigations on current state of small wastewater treatment systems and on possibilities of their expansion are being carried out in various Lithuania's regions. Such investigations in Alytus region (Southern part of Lithuania) were carried out by researchers of Hydraulic Engineering Department of Lithuanian University of Agriculture. The exhaustive on-site investigations of technical parameters and present state of wastewater treatment plants as well as analysis of operating and exploitation expenditures and effectiveness of wastewater treatment plants in region's settlements were carried out. The results of wastewater treatment systems inspection showed that main part of settlements has centralized sewerage systems and biological wastewater treatment plants, however some water treatment plants were neglected and almost destroyed, wastewater in some settlements is treated just in septic tanks. Near the half of population in most settlements do not have possibilities to use the centralized wastewater treatment systems. Due to dramatically decreased amount of wastewater the treatment plants use just a small part of their projected productivity. Analysis of treated water quality showed that in almost all cases at least one of water quality normative were exceeded. According to the results of investigations the best wastewater treatment plants from technical and economical points of view are plants with low use of electricity and high degree of plant's projected productivity use. The example of the problems with wastewater treatment in Alytus region, pointed out in this article, reflects the problems of all Lithuania's small wastewater treatment systems.

Keywords: wastewater, wastewater treatment.

• Dr. Arvydas ŠIKŠNYS, Associate professor of Hydraulic Engineering Department, Lithuanian University of Agriculture.
  • Main tendencies of scientific researches - hydraulic modelling of hydraulic processes, wastewater treatment.
  • Address: Universiteto 10, LT-4324 Kaunas-Akademija. Tel. 8-27-397793. E-mail: arvydass@info.lzua.lt
• Alvydas ŽIBAS, Senior Assist .professor, Hydraulic Engineering Department, Lithuanian University of Agriculture.
  • Main tendencies of scientific researches - hydrodynamics of surface and subsurface water bodies, hydraulic engineering, wastewater treatment.
  • Address: Universiteto 10, LT-4324 Kaunas-Akademija. Tel. 8-27-397793. E-mail: zibas@info.lzua.lt

Article received 06 2000, given to print 09 2000

CALCULATION OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS EFFECTED BY CROSS-FORCE

Summary

Reinforced concrete beams are effected by concentrated force in one third of openings and they rest on extreme points. First vertical cracks appear in the middle of the tensile zone. Increasing the load causes appearance of diagonal cracks. Their development is more intensive than that of vertical cracks. Rupture is more likely to appear in a diagonal cross-section.

Calculation shows that theoretical loads are higher than experimental data. It is particularly obvious in cases when the relation between the height of the beam and the opening is higher than 0.5. Calculation of theoretical loads is based on maximum tensile stress of an elastic body in diagonal cross-section. Stresses are calculated using the method of a net. To avoid discrepancy an experimental theoretical equation is suggested, which allows us to make the maximum of main stresses more precise. Another equation is suggested in order to calculate the collapsing shear force in diagonal cross-sections. This equation takes into account the bar reinforcing in cases of cross reinforce dimensions of cross-section.

Keywords: reinforced concrete beams, shear forces in diagonal cross-sections, stresses.

• Dr. Kazys ŠLEŽEVICIUS, Associate professor of Mechanical Technologies Department, Šiauliai University.
  • Main tendencies of scientific researches - investigation of stress-strain and strength of constructions, loaded with small sites.
  • Address: Vilniaus 141, LT-5400, Šiauliai. Tel. 8 21 524439. El. paštas: joro@takas.lt
• Jonas ROLICIUS, Senior Assist. of Mechanical Technologies Department, Šiauliai University.
  • Main tendencies of scientific researches - - investigation of stress-strain and strength of constructions, loaded with small sites.
  • Address: Vilniaus 141, LT-5400, Šiauliai. Tel. 8 21 524439. El. paštas: joro@takas.lt
• Dr. Leonas LINDIŠAS, Associate professor of Building Constructions Department, Lithuanian University of Agriculture.
  • Main tendencies of scientific researches - structural mechanics, investigations of reinforced concrete elements strength of hydrotechnical constructions.
  • Address: Universiteto10, LT-4324, Kaunas-Akademija. Tel. 8 27 397722. El. paštas: leonasl@lzua.lt

Article received 06 2000, given to print 09 2000

THE RESEARCH OF SECURING ATTACHMENTS OF ENCASEMENTS OF HYDRAULIC REINFORCED CONCRETE CONSTRUCTIONS

Summary

The purpose of these investigations are to establish differences between resistance to withdrawal of woodscrews screwed and hammered ones; to compare resistance to withdrawal of woodscrews hammered to the same depth and screwed in addition with resistance screwed in the same depth ones; to establish optimum diameter of the nest (hole) for screwing woodscrews in hardwood.

The countersunk head woodscrews of three sizes: 1-3.5×35, 1-4.0×50 and 1-5.0×60 (GOST 1145-80) was used. The pinewood, oak-wood and chipboard was used for preparing of samples - squared beams for investigations. The wooden samples were prepared from heart-wood in accordance with the standard requirements (GOST 164830-89). The woodscrews were driven in wooden samples perpendicularly to annual rings. Three groups of samples were prepared and tested. All tests were repeated for three times.

The samples of first group were devoted for investigations of differences of resistance to withdrawal of the woodscrews driven by screwing and hammering ones. The samples of second group were devoted for investigations of resistance to withdrawal of woodscrews incomplete hammered and screwed in addition. The samples of the third group were devoted for investigations of resistance to withdrawal of woodscrews screwed in the nests of different diameter. Investigations were performed with testing machine MR-0.5-1 in which special grapple was installed. The woodscrews were pulled with uniform velocity (about 10 mm/min). Duration of the test was from 1 to 2 min.

It has been established that resistance to withdrawal of the hammered woodscrews are less from 2.5 to 5.6 points as compared with screwed ones. Resistance to withdrawal of the woodscrews incompletely hammered and screwed in addition is less as compared with screwed ones in the same depth. Dependency of resistance to withdrawal of woodscrews from diameter of the nest prepared in hardwood (oak) has been established. Optimum diameter of nest woodscrews in hardwood (oak) is 0.75d (d - diameter of thread).

Keywords: timber, woodscrews.

• Dr. Kazys Aleksandras VAIŠVILA, Associate professor of Building Constructions Department, Lithuanian University of Agriculture.
  • Main tendencies of scientific researches - hydraulic engineering, building constructions.
  • Address: Universiteto 10, LT-4324 Kaunas - Akademija. Tel. 8 27 397722. El.paštas: statyba@hidro.lzua.lt
• Dr. Vincas GURSKIS, Associate professor of Building Constructions Department, Lithuanian University of Agriculture.
  • Main tendencies of scientific researches. - hydraulic engineering, building materials.
  • Address: Universiteto 10, LT-4324 Kaunas - Akademija. Tel. 8 27 397298. El.paštas: stat@hidro.lzua.lt
• Dr. Stasys KAROSAS, Associate professor of Building Constructions Department, Lithuanian University of Agriculture.
  • Main tendencies of scientific researches - building constructions.
  • Address: Universiteto 10, LT-4324 Kaunas - Akademija. Tel. 8 27 397298. El.paštas: stat@hidro.lzua.lt

Article received 06 2000, given to print 09 2000