Shahid Abbaspour dam
Encyclopedia
The Shahid Abbaspour Dam (also known as Karun-1 Dam) is a large arch dam
providing hydroelectricity
from the Karun River
; it is located about 50 kilometres (31.1 mi) northeast of Masjed Soleiman, in the province of Khuzestan, Iran
, and originally completed in 1976, and formerly named "Reza Shah Kabir Dam". The dam was the first of a series of dams planned for development on the Karun River.
The dam is a double-curvature concrete arch
type, 200 m (656.2 ft) high from the foundation rock. Its crest width is 6 m (20 ft). The arch dam
design was chosen for the narrow, rocky gorge where it is located. The double-curvature arch design withstands the pressure created by the reservoir
with a minimum of concrete, because the shape transmits the force of the reservoir downward and laterally, against the rock foundation; this has the effect of strengthening the dam concrete and its foundation by keeping it in compression.
The dam site houses two power stations, one built in 1976 and another built in 1995. Each contains four water turbine
s connected to electric generators of , for a combined generating capacity of . The dam's electrical output is connected to the national electrical grid, with most generation occurring during periods of peak demand
for electricity.
Arch dam
An arch dam is a type of dam that is curved and commonly built with concrete. The arch dam is a structure that is designed to curve upstream so that the force of the water against it, known as hydrostatic pressure, presses against the arch, compressing and strengthening the structure as it pushes...
providing hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity is the term referring to electricity generated by hydropower; the production of electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water. It is the most widely used form of renewable energy...
from the Karun River
Karun
The Kārun is Iran's most effluent, and the only navigable, river. It is 450 miles long. It rises in the Zard Kuh mountains of the Bakhtiari district in the Zagros Range, receiving many tributaries, such as the Dez and the Kuhrang, before passing through the capital of the Khuzestan Province of...
; it is located about 50 kilometres (31.1 mi) northeast of Masjed Soleiman, in the province of Khuzestan, Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
, and originally completed in 1976, and formerly named "Reza Shah Kabir Dam". The dam was the first of a series of dams planned for development on the Karun River.
The dam is a double-curvature concrete arch
Arch dam
An arch dam is a type of dam that is curved and commonly built with concrete. The arch dam is a structure that is designed to curve upstream so that the force of the water against it, known as hydrostatic pressure, presses against the arch, compressing and strengthening the structure as it pushes...
type, 200 m (656.2 ft) high from the foundation rock. Its crest width is 6 m (20 ft). The arch dam
Arch dam
An arch dam is a type of dam that is curved and commonly built with concrete. The arch dam is a structure that is designed to curve upstream so that the force of the water against it, known as hydrostatic pressure, presses against the arch, compressing and strengthening the structure as it pushes...
design was chosen for the narrow, rocky gorge where it is located. The double-curvature arch design withstands the pressure created by the reservoir
Reservoir
A reservoir , artificial lake or dam is used to store water.Reservoirs may be created in river valleys by the construction of a dam or may be built by excavation in the ground or by conventional construction techniques such as brickwork or cast concrete.The term reservoir may also be used to...
with a minimum of concrete, because the shape transmits the force of the reservoir downward and laterally, against the rock foundation; this has the effect of strengthening the dam concrete and its foundation by keeping it in compression.
The dam site houses two power stations, one built in 1976 and another built in 1995. Each contains four water turbine
Water turbine
A water turbine is a rotary engine that takes energy from moving water.Water turbines were developed in the 19th century and were widely used for industrial power prior to electrical grids. Now they are mostly used for electric power generation. They harness a clean and renewable energy...
s connected to electric generators of , for a combined generating capacity of . The dam's electrical output is connected to the national electrical grid, with most generation occurring during periods of peak demand
Peak demand
Peak demand is used to refer to a historically high point in the sales record of a particular product. In terms of energy use, peak demand describes a period of strong consumer demand.- Peak load :...
for electricity.