尽管初始投资是一障碍，但小水电站因其寿命长（常常超过70年）和维护成本低，已被证明是颇有成本效益的。在小水电站中，压力管道是重要的设备，但它们在总投资中也占很大份额，40%的份额并不少见。因此，应慎重选择管道材料，考虑其表面糙度、设计压力、连接方法、重量、安装难易程度、使用寿命和维护工作量等。著名玻璃钢管道制造商奥地利Hobas的管道因其适用的设计而在这一用途中成为佳选。

Although initial investment is a barrier, small hydropower stations have proved cost-effective because of their longevity (often more than 70 years) and maintenance costs. Pressure pipes are important equipment in small hydropower stations, but they also account for a large share of total investment, and 40 per cent is not uncommon. Therefore, we should carefully select material, considering the surface roughness, design pressure, connection methods, weight, degree of difficulty to install, service life and easy maintenance, etc. The pipes of Austria Hobas, a famous maker of glass and steel pipes, have been a good choice for this purpose. 

作为一例，在斯里兰卡南部兴旺的小水电行业中，一水电站选用了Hobas的离心浇铸玻璃钢管道，获得了良好的经济效益和绿色环境效益。由于该水电站位于丛林之中，决策者希望尽可能保护植物丛和动物群，因此决定把压力水管埋在地下。因为当地地形许可，只需清理了3m宽的区域来挖沟。这种管道经过考验和的安装方法大大减少了所需弯头的数量。

As an example, in the flourishing small hydropower industry in southern Sri Lanka, a hydropower station, chose Hobas centrifugal casting glass fiber reinforced plastic pipeline, obtained the good economic efficiency and green environmental benefits. As the hydropower station is in the jungle, policymakers want to protect flora and fauna as much as possible, so they decided to bury the pressure pipes underground. Because of the local terrain permit, the area of 3m wide was cleared to dig the trench. The test and installation methods reduce the number of bending heads. 

通向涡轮机的1460 m长的玻璃钢管线于2011年开始施工。Hobas公司提供了为不同压力等级（PN1～PN12.5）设计的管道。在特别陡峭的地段安装了这种压力管道，因为这种较轻的管道很利于管道运输和操作。

Construction began in 2011 with the 1460-m fiberglass pipeline leading to the turbine. Hobas offers a pipeline designed for different levels of stress (PN1 ~ PN12.5). The pressure pipeline is installed in particularly steep locations because the lighter pipes are good for piping and handling. 

在历时18个月的安装施工之后，进行了压力试验并获得成功，此水电站投入应用。沿着回填的管沟重新种植了灌木和树木，这样很快就会掩盖施工痕迹，恢复大自然常态。操作人员和村民都对此感到满意。除了获得电力之外，当地人还获得了受训运行水电站的机会。

After 18 months of installation, the pressure test was carried out and the dam was successfully applied. Replanting shrubs and trees along the backfilled pipe will soon mask the construction and restore the natural state of nature. Operators and villagers alike are pleased. In addition to gaining access to electricity, locals are given the opportunity to train hydropower stations.