SALVADOR, Joshua B.

ME22/A4
2018152029/CE-3 January 23, 2021
ASSESSMENT TASK 6
1. Penstock Pipe: Length, Diameter, and Material
 Penstock pipes are the pressurized water channels which act as the path where
water flows from forebay or other water reservoir, to the turbines. Head loss is
one of the factors that affects the design of penstock especially for its diameter
and its length. Head loss is one of the most common term used in fluid
mechanics and it refers to the energy loss of a system that is caused by friction.
This term needed to be considered when designing penstock pipes as it affects
its performance once we use it. In addition to this, materials that will be used in
the construction should also be considered as it affects how the pipe will work. In
construction, materials that are known to have small coefficient of friction are
used for penstock pipes. Another thing is the coating used in pipes. Materials that
are prone to corrosion such as steels are being coated with substances that can
prevent corrosion since it can cause dysfunctionality to pipes.

2. Hydro Turbine: Shape Number vs Specific Speed

 Shape number and specific speed are the two of the most common terms
associated in hydro turbine. Specific speed is a general term that refers to the
fastness of turbines’ rotation every minute. Different hydro turbines possess
different specific speed. This affects the amount of output that a turbine will
produce during operation. On the other hand, is a type of specific speed wherein
the dimensions are not considered.

3. Method of Operation: Impulse Turbine vs Reaction Turbine

 Impulse turbine and reaction turbine is the two categories of hydropower
turbines. Based on the word “hydro”, they utilize water as the main agent for
energy generation. As per impulse turbine, it has the ability to control the velocity
of the jet coming from the nozzle and directly collides with the blades causing
changes in the direction of fluid’s flow. As a result of this change in moment,
impulse on the blades is being formed which causes the rotor to move. In
regards to reaction turbine, it operates through the conversion of energy of the
fluid by means of reaction of the blades as the fluid experiences change in
momentum.

4. Reaction Turbine: Cavitation

 In liquid, the rapid formation and collapse of vapor bubbles refers to cavitation. It
occurs due to the decrease in static pressure that it became much smaller in
comparison to liquid’s pressure. This phenomenon causes a negative impact on
turbines especially on reaction turbines. Due to this, the metal parts of the
turbines are being damaged as cavities are being formed. This also causes
inappropriate disturbances and vibrations. As a result, the performance of the
turbine is being affected as its power output decreases which causes inefficiency.
5. Efficiency: Hydroelectric Generation vs Thermal Power
 In energy generation, energy loss is a common scenario. Energy is being lost as
it enters to the final stage of energy generation. In hydroelectric generation,
energy losses only occur due to mechanical losses that is caused by friction as
the fluid flows. Due to this, engineers are designing pipes wherein the materials
are being considered in order to minimize the friction, making it more efficient to
the extent where it can reach 100% efficiency. On the other hand, thermal power
plants experience a huge energy loss during the process of generating energy. A
huge amount (50% or greater) of energy (heat) is being rejected in the
condenser. As it continues the process, energy loss still occurs in the boiler
losing 10-15% of the total energy generated. At the end, thermal plants can only
produce 30-45% of the total energy.

6. Benefits of Hydropower Generation

 Hydropower plants can adapt with the sudden increase of electricity demand
immediately.
 Hydropower generation offers no pollution making other sources of energy
cleaner for the future use.
 Hydropower plants act as a support when energy shortage occurs especially in
solar powerplants.
 Hydropower generation are cost-effective.
 It serves as a water reservoir that prevents flash floods which causes destruction
of electric utilities.
 It provides 24% of the world’s electricity, making it possible to construct more
electric utilities.
 It increases the reliability of electric systems and as well as its stability.

7. Negative Impacts of Hydropower in Environment

 It causes destruction of natural habitat especially for marine animals.
 Hydropower generation causes change in water’s temperature which makes it
difficult for marine animals to adapt.
 It disrupts the natural flow of the ecosystem.
 An abrupt increase in water level might occur when the amount of precipitation is
too much.
 It impedes the migration of marine animals.

8. Norway’s Electric Utilities

 Norway is one of the countries who are known to have an extreme cold weather.
Due to this, electric companies are feared by winter season as their average
temperature drops down to -6.8ºC. The reason is not due to the destruction of
electric utilities during this season, but the sudden increase in the demand for
electricity. Based on an article written by Buli (2021), the country recorded its
highest consumption of electricity on January 15, 2021 (24,536 megawatt-hours).
This is because of the extreme coldness that the country is currently
experiencing. The energy consumption was associated with the use of 24 million
 electric heaters. As a result, the country experiences electricity shortage. Aside
from this, electric companies are forced to increase the power prices.

9. Electricity-Generating Technologies: Which benefits the most from Pumped

Storage?
 Pump storage plays an essential role in terms of generating and storing energy
for a country. It provides support for the existing electricity-generating
technologies in terms of offering energy especially when electric shortage occurs.
Electricity-generating technologies such as wind powerplants and solar
powerplants benefit the most from pump storage. There are days when there is
no wind that can help wind turbines generate energy and that is when pump
storage will support it in order to continue the supply of electricity. As well, during
winter in some countries, sunlight isn’t visible due to the weather conditions.
Same as with wind powerplants, pump storage offers help in the provision of
electricity.