Topic 4: Hydroelectric Power Plants (1) : Tecnologia de Centrals - Grau Enginyeria en Energia - EEBE (UPC)

Tecnologia de Centrals
Topic 4:
Hydroelectric power plants (1)
Tecnologia de centrals --- Grau Enginyeria en Energia --- EEBE(UPC)

Learning objectives
• Describe possible applications of the hydraulic energy
• Describe possible locations of an hydroelectric facility
• Describe components and layout of an hydroelectric
plant
• Calculate some main general characteristics of
hydroelectric facilities
4 Hydroelectric power plants
• Assess the degree of importance of hydraulic resources

from the economic and environmental points of view
Tecnologia de centrals --- Grau Enginyeria en Energia --- EEBE(UPC) 2

Contents
• Introductory overview
• Basic aspects
• Hydroelectric power plants types
• Hydraulic turbines for electricity generation

Energy Technology
Introduction
Origin: Natural Water Cycle
Energy Source: The Sun

Water acquires potential energy under the action

of the energy received from the Sun
Water streams flow to lower elevations
Tecnologia de centrals --- Grau EnginyeriaEnergy

en EnergiaTechnology
--- EEBE(UPC) 4
Energy Technology
Introduction. Water cycle

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Diagram_of_the_Water_Cycle.jpg
Potential Energy
Water on elevated terrain,

flows to lower elevations
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Watercyclesummary.jpg
Energy Technology
Introduction. Energy transformation

Kinetic energy
Running water
Snow in the mountains
Running: Water Streams
Still: Reservoir
Water in the mountains
Potential energy
Still: Mountain lakes
Moving machine:
Waterwheels, Turbines
Electrical energy Mechanical energy
Electricity Mechanical work

Hydraulic energy
Penstock (derivation channel): Dam:

If the difference in height
The difference in level can be
between the channel and the
obtained rising the up-flow water
river is large, it is feasible to use
level by means of a dam or a
the water potential energy to
weir.
move a hydraulic turbine.

Introduction
Ways of exploiting hydraulic energy

Final E.
MECHANICAL Water mills

ENERGY Water wheels
Primary E.
POTENTIAL
ENERGY
Final E.
ELECTRICAL Hydroelectric
ENERGY plants

Hydraulic energy
H
Characteristic magnitudes
HEAD
Channel HL
HG
HG: GROSS HEAD
Penstock
HU
HU: USEFUL HEAD
HN
HN: NET HEAD
Plant
HL: HEAD LOSSES

Hydraulic energy. Power P= ∆E/∆t = mgH/∆t
= Hgρ∆V/∆t = γ HQ
Theoretical Power: Pt = γ HGQ

γ = ρg = 1000kg/m3 x 9.81m/s2
= 9810 N/m3
Mechanical Power: Pm = γ HN Q ηt
Electric Power: Pe = γ HN Q ηt ηg
γ = 9810 N/m3 (specific weight of water)
Q = Water flow rate (m3/s)
ηt = Turbine’s efficiency
• it has to do with friction losses (heat generation)
• and with the fraction of water that does not circulate through the runner
ηg = Generator’s efficiency
Hydroelectric plants
Facilities designed to produce electricity

using the potential energy of water.
Two main groups:
Use of water as it flows in
Run-of-the-river plants
the river
Use of water regulated by a Reservoir hydroelectric

reservoir power plants

Hydroelectric plants. ROR
Run-of-the-river plants (ROR). Diversion
https://www.ipcc.ch/report/renewable-energy-sources-and-climate-change-mitigation/hydropower/

Hydroelectric systems that harvest the energy from flowing water
to generate electricity in the absence of a large dam and reservoir
• Water is used when it is available

• No large water reserves: seasonal flow oscillations imply
power variation
• “Small” dams are built on the river to: direct flow to
turbines, maintain the level difference constant, and

allow for short time storage

Examples
Small power plant on the

Urumea river (150 kWe)
The Santo Antônio Dam.

Capacity: 3580 MWe.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santo_Antonio_Dam

Hydroelectric plants. RP
Reservoir plants (RP)
https://www.ipcc.ch/report/renewable-energy-sources-and-climate-change-mitigation/hydropower/

- Regulation plants • Water from natural lakes or

artificial reservoirs created by
- Pump-storage plants dams.
• Water is used on demand.

Classification
by head
• High head plants (more than 200 m)
• Medium head plants (from 20 to 200 m)
• Low head plants (less than 20 m)

• Allow storage of large volumes of water.
• Can be used as water reserves during drought.
• Adaptable to supply electricity –short startup time– on peak –
high demand– hours
Main components
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hydroelectric_dam.svg

• Allow storage of large volumes of water.
• Can be used as water reserves during drought.
• Adaptable to supply electricity –short startup time– on peak –
high demand– hours
1. Reservoir
2. Dam
3. Filtering grids (intake control gate)
4. Penstock
5. Turbine-alternator groups
6. Turbine
7. Axes
8. Generator
9. Electrical energy transport lines
10. Transformers

Hydroelectric plants
Reservoir plants. Regulation plants
Example: Three Gorges Dam in China
Pe = 22500 MW Annual Pe = 98.8 TWh

Regulation plants
Example: Three Gorges Dam in China
• On Yangtze river, the longest in
Asia and the third-longest in the
world (6300 km)
• Gravity dam, 185 m high, 2300 m
length
• Has involved the sinking of 19

cities and more than 300 villages
Pe = 22500 MW
More information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Gorges_Dam
P um ped-storage plants
• Accumulate water
(potential energy) by
pumping.
• Two types:
a) turbine + pump
Penstock
b) reversible turbine
Plant
• The energy for the pump
can be provided by any
kind of electric power
plant
Hydropower on the Mississippi River. July 2017
Conference: Raising the Grade on the Upper Mississippi River - Hydro Potential on the Mississippi RiverAt:
Moline, IL R. C. Viadero, M. Rehbein and A. Singh
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318469208_Hydropower_on_the_Mississippi_River
P um ped-storage plants
Can be classified as:
• Pure Pumping: Water in the upper reservoir comes only from the lower
reservoir
• Mixed Pumping: The upper reservoir receives natural supplies
• Differential Pumping: Water is elevated from different small reservoirs in
different basins to an upper central reservoir in order to supply water from
the latter to the turbines.

Advantages:
• Very short start-up time (secs) and easy control
• Consume during off-peak hours, flattening the daily load curve
• Help to keep the production/consumption balance in the electric
system. In case a zone of the grid becomes isolated, this plants help to
restore the prod./cons. balance
• Non-electric factors: regulation of the river

High head plants
• Hydraulic head higher than 200-300 m.
• Low flow (approx. 20 m3/s per turbine)

• Sited in alpine (high mountain) regions, using pipes to

take advantage of water streams
• Pelton and Francis turbines are used.

M edium head plants
• Hydraulic head between 20-30 m and 200 m.
• High flow rates (approx. 200 m3/s per turbine)

• Sited in valleys of mid-high mountains, require dams
• Mainly Kaplan and Francis turbines are used.

Low head plants
• Hydraulic head lower than 20-30 m.
• Flow can be higher than 300 m3/s per turbine.

• Located in low mountain valleys and requiring dams
• Francis turbines and especially Kaplan turbines are

used.

Hydraulic turbines
• Turbines transform the

mechanical energy of
water into rotation
(kinetic) mechanical
energy of the “runner”
• Their efficiency can be as

high as 90%
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Vector image: Gothika) -

Wikipedia

Hydraulic turbines. Types
Working principle
Flowing water is directed on to the blades of a turbine
runner, creating a force on the blades. The runner is
spinning, so the force acts through a distance –work–.
Energy is transferred from the water flow to the
turbine
Reaction
Out
In
Reaction turbines
Submerged in water. Pressure of
water acts directly on the blades

Generació Termofluidodinàmica II
Hydraulic turbines
Types of turbines
Reaction turbines
Submerged in water. Pressure of
water acts directly on the blades
Injector
Impulse turbines
Pressure of water is transformed in
velocity. The jet of water losses its
kinetic energy in the buckets

Generació Termofluidodinàmica II
Hydraulic turbines
Types of turbines
• Reaction turbines:
– In reaction turbines water changes pressure as it moves through
the turbine and gives up its energy. They must be encased to

contain the water pressure (or suction), or they must be fully
submerged in the water flow.
– Most water turbines in use are reaction turbines and are used in
low (<30m) and medium (30-300m) head applications.
– Include the Francis and Kaplan types.

Hydraulic turbines
Types of turbines
• Impulse turbines
– There is a change in the velocity of a water jet. The jet pushes
on the turbine buckets which change its direction. The
resulting change of the momentum produces a force on the
turbine buckets.
– Prior to hitting the turbine blades, the water pressure (potential
energy) is converted into kinetic energy by a nozzle.
– No pressure change occurs at the turbine buckets, the turbine
doesn't require casing for its operation.
– Impulse turbines are mostly used in very high (>300m) head
applications.
– Include Pelton, Turgo and Michell-Banki types.
Hydraulic turbines
Types of turbines
• There exist three main types used in large hydro-

power stations:
– Pelton Turbines
– Francis Turbines
– Kaplan Turbines
• At small power plants other types of turbines can be

found installed:
– Turgo Turbines
– Michell-Banki Turbines
Hydraulic turbines. Pelton
• Impulse type turbine
• High heads (more than 200-300 m)
• Low flow rates (< 10 m3/s)
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Pelton_
• Good efficiency for a large range of

wheels#/media/File:Pelton_wheel_(patent).png
flows (between 30% and 100% of the

maximum flow)
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nozzle_flow_case_3.svg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PeltonSketch.svg
YoutTube: Pelton Turbine/Wheel Working & Design
Hydraulic turbines
• Impulse type turbine
• High heads (more than 200-300 m)
• Low flow rates (< 10 m3/s)
• Good efficiency for a large range of

flows (between 30% and 100% of the

maximum flow)
• For the optimal wheel runner speed u =

Vi /2, half the initial jet velocity Vi , the Turbine efficiency
theoretical turbine efficiency is 100%. η = (wheel power) /
(initial jet power)

Hydraulic turbines
Types of turbines. Pelton
1. Runner (rodet)
2. Bucket (cullera)
3. Spear (agulla)
4. Nozzle (tovera)
5. Pipe from penstock

6. Regulation mechanism
7. Discharge chamber
Tecnologia de centrals --- Grau EnginyeriaEnergy

en EnergiaTechnology
--- EEBE(UPC) 34
Hydraulic turbines
Types of turbines. Pelton
Injector or nozzle
• Controls the flow rate
• Transforms water pressure in a high velocity jet
Valve position controls

the flow rate
Deflector deviates the jet in

case of a sudden stop, so that
Servomotor water does not reach the
Tecnologia de centrals --- Grau Enginyeria en Energia --- EEBE(UPC)
buckets 35
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hucak_HK_20013_2.jpg https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Walchenseewerk_Pelton_120.jpg

Buckets Runner
Turbine_(Detail)_im_Museumshof_des_Deutschen_Museums.JPG
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pelton-
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:What_is_Pelton_Turbine.jpg

Hydraulic turbines
Types of turbines. Francis

• It is a reaction type turbine.
• It is the most widely used turbine nowadays and
has a very large range of applications.
• The Francis turbine operates at its best
completely filled with water at all times.

• Uses the energy of the swirl component of the
water flow.
• It is most optimal for medium heads (40 m < H < 600 m) and flows
between 2 m3/s and 200 m3/s.
• Good efficiency for a narrow range of flows (between 60% and 100%
of the maximum flow).
• Francis turbines may also be used for pumped storage.
Hydraulic turbines. Francis Radial flow
• Reaction turbine
• Medium heads.
• For a variety of flows ( between 2 m3/s and 200
m3/s)
• Good efficiency for a narrow range of flows
(between 60% and 100% of the maximum flow)
• Very large range of applications.
YouTube: Working of Francis Turbine

Hydraulic turbines
1. Runner
2. Spiral case
3. Draft tube
4. Wicket gates

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BCiFeykRzo
Hydraulic turbines. Francis
Main shaft
Wicket gates
Water flow Inlet
Guide vanes
Guide
vanes Spiral Spiral
case case
Outlet
Runner
Runner
blades Draft tube
Spiral case

Hydraulic turbines
Spiral case (cambra en espiral /
cámara en espiral)
Spiral case:
• Distributes the pressurized water
through the periphery of the set
runner-gates.
• With the spiral shape keeps
constant the fluid velocity.

Hydraulic turbines Orientable vanes
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:
Francis_Turbine_Low_flow.jpg
Low flow
Wicked gates (distribuidor)
• Distributes the flow homogenously in the
runner.
• In large turbines they are articulated, so that
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fr
velocity of water entering the runner is
ancis_Turbine_High_flow.jpg
tangential to the runner blades.
High flow
Driving mechanism can be

observed, along with the
inlet to the draft tube

Hydraulic turbines
Runner (rodet / rodete / rotor)

Energy Technology
Hydraulic turbines. Francis

Runner
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Francis_Runner_InWorkshop_300.jpg
Rodet
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Francis_turbine-IMG_4993.jpg
Hydraulic turbines
Draft tube (tub d’aspiració / tubo de
aspiración / difusor)
• Joints the runner outlet to the discharge
• Recovers the energy of water that leaves the
turbine at high velocity

Hydraulic turbines
Types of turbines. Kaplan
• It is a reaction type turbine with

adjustable blades, i.e. variable blade
orientation.
• It was an evolution of the Francis turbine.

• It is most suitable for low heads ( H< 50 m)
and medium to large flows ( Q > 15 m3/s).
• It shows very good efficiency for a large
range of flows ( between 30 % and 100 %
of the maximum flow).
• Runner is made-up of few blades (8
maximum).
Hydraulic turbines
Runner and movable blades

Hydraulic turbines
Voith Hydro Power Generation - Voith, Germany

Hydraulic turbines
• Kaplan: Runner blades and gates can be oriented

• Semi-Kaplan: Runner blades can be oriented, gate
blades are fixed
• Propeller-type: Runner blades and gate blades are
fixed

Hydraulic turbines
Types of turbines. Kaplan turbines without
spiral case Bulb turbine
Advantages
• Less head losses
• Larger flow rates
• More compact, less

occupied volume
Disadvantages
• Problems of cavitation
and corrosion caused
by it.

Hydraulic turbines
Types of turbines. Kaplan turbines without
spiral case Bulb turbine
Advantages
• Less head losses
• Larger flow rates
• More compact, less

occupied volume
Disadvantages
• Problems of cavitation
and corrosion caused
by it.

Modification of Pelton turbines
Hydraulic turbines Buckets → Blades
Types of turbines. Turgo Water can flow into several

blades at the same time
• Impulse turbine designed for medium head

applications.
• Initially designed as a modification of the
Pelton wheel.
• Turgo turbines are popular for small hydro
plants where low cost is very important.
Modification of Pelton turbines
Hydraulic turbines Buckets → Blades
Types of turbines. Turgo Water can flow into several

blades at the same time
Smaller runner diameter
Larger rotation speed
Closer to the synchronism speed of generator
Speed multiplying gear can be omitted

Hydraulic turbines
Types of turbines. Michell-Banki
• A Michel-Bánki turbine, cross-flow
turbine or Ossberger turbine is a water
turbine developed of the impulse type.
• Water enters through the gate and

circulates two times through the blades.

• After passing to the inside of the runner, it
leaves on the opposite side, going outward.
Passing through the runner twice provides
additional efficiency.
• However, there is more friction and the total
efficiency is smaller than in other turbine
types.

Hydraulic turbines
Types of turbines. Michell-Banki
• Robust, cheap, easy to construct
• Since it has good regulation, cross-
flow turbines are mostly used in
mini and micro hydropower units of
less than 2 GW, and with heads
less than 200 m, particularly with
small run-of-the-river plants.

• Well suited for sites with low head
and high flow.
• Can operate in a wide range of flow
rates.
• Good option for small plants in
Ossberger turbine runner developing countries and isolated
communities
PC21 at English Wikipedia. - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by Teratornis using CommonsHelper.…

Hydraulic turbines. Efficiency
Large efficiency
https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2018/03/figure-05.09.png
Wide range

Hydraulic turbines
Turbine selection
Specific speed, ns: revolutions per minute (rpm) of a similar
turbine that, placed under a 1m head, would produce 1 horsepower
(1 metric HP = 735 W)
It allows an estimation of
ns= n P1/2 H-5/4
turbine basic dimensions
n = synchronism speed in rpm

P= power of the turbine in CV
H= head in m

Hydraulic turbines ns= n P1/2 H-5/4
• The turbine specifc speed 𝒏𝒏𝒔𝒔 is the speed with which the turbine of a
given design rotates for a particular discharge Q, with unit head and
thereby is able to produce unit power.
• The specific speed is derived from dimensional analysis and characterizes
the turbine shape (geometric proportions, blade angles, gate openings,
etc.) in a way that is not related to its size.
• For a specific turbine type (Francis, Kaplan, Pelton), the turbine efficiency 𝜼𝜼
is essentially a function of specific speed 𝒏𝒏𝒔𝒔 .
• Once the specific speed of the optimal design (maximal 𝜼𝜼) is known, basic
dimensions of components of the turbine of interest can be calculated by

rescaling of characteristic sizes.
• This allows a new turbine design to be scaled from an existing design of
known performance.
• Also, knowing 𝒏𝒏𝒔𝒔 for operating conditions (𝑄𝑄1 , 𝐻𝐻1 , 𝑛𝑛1 ) one can estimate for a
new head value 𝐻𝐻2 the corresponding conditions 𝑄𝑄2 and 𝑛𝑛2 which will
maintain the optimum efficiency of the turbine.
• The specific speed is also the main criteria for matching a specific hydro
site with the correct turbine type.

Hydraulic turbines
Turbine selection
ns= n P1/2 H-5/4
n = synchronism speed in rpm

P= power of the turbine in CV
H= head in m

Above 4-5 MW, turbines
Hydraulic turbines are designed and built for
the specific site
Turbine
selecton
A water turbine application chart

Velle, Miño, Ourense. © Paco Calvino

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Tecnologia de Centrals

Tecnologia de centrals --- Grau Enginyeria en Energia --- EEBE(UPC)

• Assess the degree of importance of hydraulic resources

Tecnologia de centrals --- Grau Enginyeria en Energia --- EEBE(UPC) 2

Tecnologia de centrals --- Grau Enginyeria en Energia --- EEBE(UPC) 3

Origin: Natural Water Cycle

Energy Source: The Sun

Water acquires potential energy under the action

Water streams flow to lower elevations

Tecnologia de centrals --- Grau EnginyeriaEnergy

Introduction. Water cycle

Water on elevated terrain,

Introduction. Energy transformation

Running: Water Streams

Still: Mountain lakes

Electricity Mechanical work

Penstock (derivation channel): Dam:

Tecnologia de centrals --- Grau Enginyeria en Energia --- EEBE(UPC) 7

Ways of exploiting hydraulic energy

MECHANICAL Water mills

Tecnologia de centrals --- Grau Enginyeria en Energia --- EEBE(UPC) 8

Tecnologia de centrals --- Grau Enginyeria en Energia --- EEBE(UPC) 9

Theoretical Power: Pt = γ HGQ

Facilities designed to produce electricity

Use of water regulated by a Reservoir hydroelectric

Tecnologia de centrals --- Grau Enginyeria en Energia --- EEBE(UPC) 11

Tecnologia de centrals --- Grau Enginyeria en Energia --- EEBE(UPC) 12

• Water is used when it is available

turbines, maintain the level difference constant, and

Tecnologia de centrals --- Grau Enginyeria en Energia --- EEBE(UPC) 13

Small power plant on the

The Santo Antônio Dam.

Tecnologia de centrals --- Grau Enginyeria en Energia --- EEBE(UPC) 14

Tecnologia de centrals --- Grau Enginyeria en Energia --- EEBE(UPC) 15

- Regulation plants • Water from natural lakes or

• Water is used on demand.

• High head plants (more than 200 m)

• Medium head plants (from 20 to 200 m)

• Low head plants (less than 20 m)

Tecnologia de centrals --- Grau Enginyeria en Energia --- EEBE(UPC) 16

Tecnologia de centrals --- Grau Enginyeria en Energia --- EEBE(UPC) 17

Tecnologia de centrals --- Grau Enginyeria en Energia --- EEBE(UPC) 18

Pe = 22500 MW Annual Pe = 98.8 TWh

• Has involved the sinking of 19

the latter to the turbines.

Tecnologia de centrals --- Grau Enginyeria en Energia --- EEBE(UPC) 22

• Hydraulic head higher than 200-300 m.

• Low flow (approx. 20 m3/s per turbine)

• Sited in alpine (high mountain) regions, using pipes to

• Pelton and Francis turbines are used.

Tecnologia de centrals --- Grau Enginyeria en Energia --- EEBE(UPC) 23

• Hydraulic head between 20-30 m and 200 m.

• High flow rates (approx. 200 m3/s per turbine)

• Sited in valleys of mid-high mountains, require dams

• Mainly Kaplan and Francis turbines are used.

Tecnologia de centrals --- Grau Enginyeria en Energia --- EEBE(UPC) 24

• Hydraulic head lower than 20-30 m.

• Flow can be higher than 300 m3/s per turbine.

• Located in low mountain valleys and requiring dams

• Francis turbines and especially Kaplan turbines are

Tecnologia de centrals --- Grau Enginyeria en Energia --- EEBE(UPC) 25

• Turbines transform the

• Their efficiency can be as