Geomats Used to Control Erosion on Reservoir Margins in Brazilian Hydroelectric Power Plants

Erosion on reservoir margins causes losses in the production of energy Hydroelectric Power Plants (HPPs), making it necessary to implement control techniques that ensure reduction sediment deposits inside reservoirs. Among these techniques, geomats (geosynthetic erosion mats) are widely used processes slopes and watercourses. This material protects both short long term, contributing strengthening vegetation’s roots developed areas. paper studies performance (with without sack gabion) installed six margin sections distributed three experimental units Brazilian HPPs called Porto Colômbia Volta Grande. The geomat was evaluated over four years monitoring through a qualitative evaluation matrix differential bathymetry. influence ultraviolet (UV) radiation degradation each section (natural conditions), as well ultraviolet-aging samples laboratory (accelerated also using scanning calorimetry (DSC). results showed no significant difference between technique consisting only gabion. highest bathymetric value obtained present study 1.62 m unit VG1, controlled with application gabion margin.