ABSTRACT

Hydro electric power is a power obtained from the energy of falling water
whereas hydro electric power plant is the power plant utilizing the
potential energy of water at a high level for the generation of electrical
energy.

A water power site is usually developed to supply electric power to a

newly & a specially established industry or town or to provide additional
power to an already existing or proposed interconnected electric power
system. Hydro electric power systems are usually located in high hilly
areas, where the damn can be built easily & where large reservoirs can be
obtained. Generally these projects are multipurpose i.e. in addition to
generation of electricity, they are also used for the irrigation purpose,
navigation, flood control etc. irrigation can be remarkably improved by
routing the canals in the downstream of hydro-plants, draught & flood both
can be effectively controlled utilizing the dam water & discharge water of
hydro-plants.

Classification of hydro-electric power plants can be done as:-

1) The extent of water flow regulation available:-

a) Run-off river power plants without pondage

b) Run-off river power plants with pondage
c) Reservoir power plants

2) The availability of water head:-

a) Low head power plants

b) Medium head power plants
c) High head power plants

3) The type of load they supply:-

a) Base load
b) Peak load
c) Pumped storage plants
Advantages of Hydro power plants:-

 No fuel required
 Cost of electricity is constant
 No air pollution created
 Long life
 Can work easily during high peak daily loads
 Cost of generation of electricity
 Irrigation purpose
 Prevents floods

Disadvantages of Hydro power plants:-

 Disrupts the aquatic ecosystem
 Disruption in surrounding areas
 Requires larger areas
 Large scale human displacement

(07J01A0209)
AMAAN AHMED