Danida has requested FORCE Technology to conduct an assessment of air pollution and noise from a power plant on the Maldives’ main island Male’. The aim of the assessment is to describe the environmental consequences of a planned extension of the present diesel power plant. Male’ is inhabited by approx. 100,000 people, and since the size of the island is only approx. 1 km x 2 km, it is very densely populated.
The winter monsoon may cause air pollution from the power plant to sweep over the town
The diesel power plant is situated close to Male’s south eastern coast. On an annual basis, the monsoon winds blow the stack gases away from the city of Male´ approx. 85% of the time. From December until March, winds from the south west may occur whereby the smoke from the power plant can affect residential areas in Male’ town. It is therefore important to ensure that the new generators do not cause unacceptable concentrations of, for instance, NO2, SO2 and particles in the residential areas. At the same time, the noise levels in the residential area must not be significantly increased by the new generators.
Assessment of noise and air pollution
FORCE Technology is conducting assessments of the air pollution from the power plant using the American dispersion model AERMOD/ISCTS3. Emission factors for diesel power plants are used to describe the emission levels from current operations and emission levels according to local meteorological conditions and terrain and building heights in the area. The assessment covers both existing and future conditions.
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The diesel power plant on the main island Male’ is shown on the right-hand side.
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Assessment of the noise from the power plant is conducted in collaboration with dk-akustik ApS. The assessment is based on measurements of the sources of noise at the power plant and calculations of the noise impact on the surroundings using the joint Nordic Noise Calculation Model.
FORCE Technology’s report for Danida and the local partners in the Maldives will contain recommendations for securing acceptable air and noise levels in Male’.
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Illustration of the calculated distribution of NOx from the existing 28 MW diesel power plant.
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