**2. Case of Study: San Francisco Hydropower Plant**

San Francisco hydro-power plant (SFH) is one of the largest energy generation centers in Ecuador, producing around 1140 GWh of electricity per annum, which represents 12% of the energy demand in the country. SFH is a 230 MW run-of-river hydropower plant located along Pastaza River, which consists of two vertical Francis turbines, each one running at 327.27 rpm under a net head of 213.4 m and a flow rate of 58 m3/s. Since the plant began operations in 2007, it has suffered erosion problems, especially at the guide vanes and the outlet band of the runner. Figure 1 presents a georeference of the plant.

**Figure 1.** San Francisco hydroelectric power plant location.
