Hydroelectric Power Plants

A generating station which utilizes the potential energy of water at a high level for the generation of
electrical energy is known as a hydro-electric power station. Hydro-electric power stations are generally
located in hilly areas where dams can be built conveniently and large water reservoirs can be obtained. In
a hydro-electric power station, water head is created by constructing a dam across a river or lake. From
the dam, water is led to a water turbine. The water turbine captures the energy in the falling water and
changes the hydraulic energy (i.e. Product of head and flow of water) into mechanical energy at the
turbine shaft. The turbine drives the alternator which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
Hydro-electric power stations are becoming very popular because the reserves of fuels (i.e. Coal and oil)
are depleting day by day. They have the added importance for flood control, storage of water for
irrigation and water for drinking purposes.

Merits/Advantages

 No fuel is required by such plants as water is the source of energy. Hence operating costs are low
and there are no problems of handling and storage of fuel and disposal of ash.
 The plant is highly reliable and it is cheapest in operation and maintenance.
 The plant can be run up and synchronized in a few minutes.
 The load can be varied quickly and the rapidly changing load demands can be met without any
difficulty.
 Very accurate governing is possible with water turbines so such power plants have constant
speed and hence constant frequency.
 There are no standby losses in such plants.
 Such plants are robust and have got longer life (around 50 years).
 The efficiency of such plants does not fall with the age.
 It is very neat and clean plant because no smoke or ash is produced.
 Highly skilled engineers are required only at the time of construction but later on only a few
experienced persons will be required.
 Such plants, in addition to generation of electric power, also serve other purposes such as
irrigation, flood control and navigation.
 Hydroelectric plants are usually located in remote areas where land is available at cheaper rates.

Demerits /Disadvantages

 It requires large area.

 Its construction cost is enormously high and takes a long time for erection (owing to involvement
of huge civil engineering works).
 Long transmission lines are required as the plants are located in hilly areas which are quite away
from the load centre.
 The output of such plants is never constant owing to vagaries of monsoons and their dependence
on the rate of water flow in a river. Long dry season may affect the power supply.
 The firm capacity of hydroelectric plants is low and so backup by steam plants is essential.
 Hydroelectric power plant reservoir submerges huge areas, uproots large population and creates
social and other problems.
Selection of Site for Hydroelectric Power Plants

The following factors should be considered in the selection of sites for Hydroelectric Power Plants:

 Availability of Water
 Water Storage
 Water Head
 Distance from Load Centre
 Accessibility of the site
 Water Pollution
 Sedimentation
 Large Catchment Area
 Availability of Land
 Possibility of stream diversion

Elements of Hydroelectric Power Plants

A hydroelectric plant consists of a reservoir for storage of water, a diversion dam, an intake structure for
controlling and regulating the flow of water, a conduit system to carry the water from the intake to the
waterwheel, the turbines coupled with generators, the draft tube for conveying water from waterwheel to
the tailrace, the tailrace and a power house i.e., the building to contain the turbines, generators, the
accessories and other miscellaneous items.

The size, location, and type of each of these essential elements depend upon the topography and
geological conditions and the amount of water to be used. The height to which the dam may be built is
usually limited by the extent of flowage damage. Pondage may have great value, particularly for peak
load power plants, warranting the purchase of extensive flowage rights. The spillway section of the dam
must be long enough to pass safely the maximum amount of water to be expected. Likewise the
abutments and other short structures must be built to withstand successfully the greatest freshet conceiv-
able on the river.

The elements of hydroelectric power plant are as follows:

 Storage Reservoir
 Dam
 Forebay
 Spillway
 Intake
 Surge Tank
 Penstock
  Valves and Gates
 Trash Racks
 Tailrace
 Draft Tubes
 Prime Movers or Water Turbines

Schematic Layouts of Hydroelectric Power Plants

Fig: Schematic Layouts of Hydroelectric Power Plants

Classification of Hydroelectric Power Plants

The hydroelectric power plants may be classified according to:-
 Classification According to the Extent of Water Flow Regulation Available
 Classification According to Availability of Water Head
 Classification According to Type of Load Supplied
 Classification of Hydroelectric Power Plants Based on Installed Capacity.

According to the Extent of Water Flow Regulation Available

 Run-off river power plants without pondage.
 Run-off river power plants with pondage.
 Reservoir power plants.
According to Availability of Water Head
 Low Head Power Plants
 Medium Head Power Plants
 High Head Power Plants

According to Type of Load Supplied

 Base Load
 Peak Load
 Pumped Storage Plants for the Peak Load.

Apart from above classification, hydroelectric power plants can be classified, on the basis of installed
capacity, as large, medium, small, mini, and micro hydro power plants. Generally the mini, micro, and
Pico hydro come under the subcategory of small hydro plants.