concrete
Concrete is a composite material composed of aggregate bound together with a fluid cement that cures to a solid over time. It is the second-most-used substance (after water), the most–widely used building material, and the most-manufactur ...
arch dam
An arch dam is a concrete dam that is curved upstream in plan. The arch dam is designed so that the force of the water against it, known as hydrostatic pressure, presses against the arch, causing the arch to straighten slightly and strengtheni ...
on the
Cávado River
The Cávado River (, ) is a river located in northern Portugal.
It has its source in Serra do Larouco at an elevation of above sea level. It runs from Fonte da Pipa, near the triangulation station Larouco, to its mouth into the Atlantic Oce ...
, the
civil parish
In England, a civil parish is a type of administrative parish used for local government. It is a territorial designation which is the lowest tier of local government. Civil parishes can trace their origin to the ancient system of parishes, w ...
municipality
A municipality is usually a single administrative division having municipal corporation, corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate.
The term ''municipality' ...
of
Vieira do Minho
Vieira do Minho () is a municipality in the district of Braga, in the north of Portugal. The population in 2011 was 12,997, in an area of 216.44 km2.
The present mayor is António Cardoso, elected by a coalition between PSD and the CDS–PP ...
The dam was completed and began functioning in 1955.
In 196, approval was obtained to begin a program of observation of the dam, as proposed by the ''Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil'' (''Civil Engineering National Laboratory'').
Architecture
Caniçada Dam is a tall (height above foundation) and long arch dam with a crest altitude of . The volume of the dam is . The dam features a
spillway
A spillway is a structure used to provide the controlled release of water downstream from a dam or levee, typically into the riverbed of the dammed river itself. In the United Kingdom, they may be known as overflow channels. Spillways ensure tha ...
with 4 gates over the dam with a maximum discharge per second, and one bottom outlet with maximum discharge per second.
Reservoir
At full reservoir level of the reservoir of the dam has a surface area of of 6.89 (5.78) km2 and a total capacity of 170.6 mio. m³; its active capacity is 159.3 (144,4) mio. m³. With the 144,4 mio. m³ water 32 GWh can be produced.
Power plant
The
hydroelectric
Hydroelectricity, or hydroelectric power, is Electricity generation, electricity generated from hydropower (water power). Hydropower supplies 15% of the world's electricity, almost 4,210 TWh in 2023, which is more than all other Renewable energ ...
power plant went operational in 1954. It is operated by EDP. The plant has a
nameplate capacity
Nameplate capacity, also known as the rated capacity, nominal capacity, installed capacity, maximum effect or gross capacity,
or 100) MW. Its average annual generation is 337.4 (283, 345 or 346) GWh. The power station contains 2
Francis turbine
The Francis turbine is a type of water turbine. It is an inward-flow reaction turbine that combines radial and axial flow concepts. Francis turbines are the most common water turbine in use today, and can achieve over 95% efficiency.
The pro ...
-generators with 31 MW (34 MVA) each in an underground powerhouse 134 m below the surface. The turbine rotation is 300 rpm. The minimum
hydraulic head
Hydraulic head or piezometric head is a measurement related to liquid pressure (normalized by specific weight) and the liquid elevation above a vertical datum., 410 pages. See pp. 43–44., 650 pages. See p. 22, eq.3.2a.
It is usually meas ...
is 77 m, the maximum 121 m. Maximum flow per turbine is 34 m³/s. The turbines and generators were provided by
Voith
The Voith Group is a global technology company. With its broad portfolio of systems, products, services and digital applications, Voith trades in the markets of energy, paper, raw materials and transport. Founded in 1867, Voith today has aroun ...
.
See also
*
List of power stations in Portugal
The following page lists some power stations in Portugal.
Cogeneration
Geothermal
Hydroelectric
Thermal
See also
* List of power stations in Europe
* List of largest power stations in the world
References
{{commons cat ...
*
List of dams and reservoirs in Portugal
This page is a list of dams and reservoirs in Portugal, arranged by NUTS Regions and Subregions:
Norte
Alto Tâmega
* Alto Tâmega Dam
* Daivões Dam
* Gouvães Dam
Cávado
* Caniçada Dam, Parada do Bouro, Vieira do Minho
* Salamonde Dam, ...