Mitigating risk factors in hydropower operations: Lessons from the Sinanjiang hydropower station explosion

As the global energy paradigm shifts towards sustainability, hydropower emerges as a pivotal element in the pursuit of energy security and environmental preservation, owing to its clean and renewable attributes. Nevertheless, the operation of hydropower facilities is fraught with risks stemming from both natural phenomena and anthropogenic activities. Extreme weather events and suboptimal reservoir operations, for instance, can precipitate grave safety incidents. A case in point is the catastrophic explosion at the Sinanjiang (SNJ) hydropower station in Yunnan Province, China, on May 29, 2020. The incident inflicted significant human and financial tolls, revealing critical deficiencies in the station's safety protocols. This paper presents a comprehensive examination of the mishap, scrutinizing the influence of severe hydrometeorological conditions, reservoir water quality alterations, soil erosion, and reservoir management shortcomings on the event's occurrence. The investigation reveals that the primary cause of the disaster was the accumulation of high sludge concentrations within the reservoir, which, under specific meteorological conditions, led to methane gas reaching explosive levels. Additionally, the reservoir's declining water quality, prolonged drought conditions, and exacerbated soil erosion collectively exacerbated methane gas generation and accumulation. In light of these findings, the paper proposes an array of preventative and safety-enhancing measures tailored to hydropower station management. By implementing these recommendations, the aim is to elevate operational standards and forestall similar catastrophes. This research serves as a crucial alert for the global hydropower industry, emphasizing the imperative of vigilant safety governance to avert analogous calamities.