CAPIZ STATE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE and TECHNOLOGY

MAIN CAMPUS, ROXAS CITY

ME 517 (PLANT VISIT) SEPTEMBER 5, 2019

Reporter: Professor:
DARYL ADOLFO ENGR. JOHN IKE UVAS
JAMES VINCENT ALBORTE
PATRICK BARRUGA

HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANT

Hydropower plants capture the energy of falling water to generate electricity. A turbine
converts the kinetic energy of falling water into mechanical energy. Then a generator converts
the mechanical energy from the turbine into electrical energy.

Parts of a Hydroelectric Plant

• Dam - Raises the water level of the river to create falling water. Also controls the flow of water.
The reservoir that is formed is, in effect, stored energy.

• Turbine - The force of falling water pushing against the turbine's blades causes the turbine to
spin. A water turbine is much like a windmill, except the energy is provided by falling water
instead of wind. The turbine converts the kinetic energy of falling water into mechanical energy.

• Generator - Connected to the turbine by shafts and possibly gears so when the turbine spins it
causes the generator to spin also. Converts the mechanical energy from the turbine into electric
energy. Generators in hydropower plants work just like the generators in other types of power
plants.

• Transmission lines - Conduct electricity from the hydropower plant to homes and business.

Types of Hydroelectric Power Plants

  Impoundment

 Diversion

 Pumped Storage

IMPOUNDMENT
The most common type of hydroelectric power plant is an impoundment facility. An
impoundment facility, typically a large hydropower system, uses a dam to store river water in a
reservoir. Water released from the reservoir flows through a turbine, spinning it, which in turn
activates a generator to produce electricity. The water may be released either to meet changing
electricity needs or to maintain a constant reservoir level.

DIVERSION
While most people associate hydro power with dams, hydro power can also work without dams.
This is done by diversion of a portion of the water from fast flowing rivers. Diversion sites are
usually done a or near waterfalls or in hilly terrain where “head” can be gained relatively
quickly.

PUMPED STORAGE
Another type of hydropower called pumped storage works like a battery, storing the electricity
generated by other power sources like solar, wind, and nuclear for later use. It stores energy by
pumping water uphill to a reservoir at higher elevation from a second reservoir at a lower
elevation.

When the demand for electricity is low, a pumped storage facility stores energy by pumping
water from a lower reservoir to an upper reservoir. During periods of high electrical demand,
the water is released back to the lower reservoir and turns a turbine, generating
electricity. Using a reversible turbine, the plant can pump water back to the upper reservoir.
This is done in off-peak hours. Essentially, the second reservoir refills the upper reservoir. By
pumping water back to the upper reservoir, the plant has more water to generate electricity
during periods of peak consumption