Water Power Engineering

Hydroelectric Power
• hydroelectric power, also called hydropower, electricity produced
from generators driven by turbines that convert the potential energy
of falling or fast-flowing water into electrical energy.
• In the generation of hydroelectric power, water is collected or stored
at a higher elevation and led downward through large pipes or
tunnels.
Storage and Pondage
• The storage may be defined as the impounding of a
considerable amount of excess runoff during seasons of surplus
flow for use in dry seasons. This is achieved by constructing a
dam across the stream at a suitable site and building a storage
reservoir on the upstream side of the dam
• The pondage may be defined as a regulating body of water in
the form of a relatively small pond or reservoir provided at the
plant. The pondage is used to regulate the variable water flow
to meet power demand. It helps in short term variations which
occur due to:
• Sudden rise or drop in load on the turbine.
• Sudden changes in the inflow of water.
Flow duration Cure
• The flow-duration curve is a
cumulative frequency curve
that shows the percent of time
specified discharges were
equaled or exceeded during a
given period.
• It combines in one curve the
flow characteristics of a
stream throughout the range
of discharge, without regard to
the sequence of occurrence.
Flow mass curve
• Flow mass curve is a plot
of the cumulative runoff
from the hydrograph
against time. The time
scale is the same as for
the hydrograph and may
be in days, months or
years. The volume
ordinate may be in m3-
days, m3-months, m3-
years, etc.
 Components of a Hydropower Plant
• The major components of a hydroelectric plant are as follows:

• Forebay
• Intake structure
• Penstock
• Surge chamber
• Hydraulic turbines
• Power house
• Draft tube
• Tailrace
 Forebay
• A forebay is a basin area of hydropower plant where
water is temporarily stored before going into intake
chamber. The storage of water in forebay is decided based
on required water demand in that area. This is also used
when the load requirement in intake is less.
 Intake Structure
• Intake structure is a structure which collects the water
from the forebay and directs it into the penstocks. There
are different types of intake structures are available and
selection of type of intake structure depends on various
local conditions.
Penstock

• Penstocks are like large

pipes laid with some slope
which carries water from
intake structure or
reservoir to the turbines.
They run with some
pressure so, sudden
closing or opening of
penstock gates can cause
water hammer effect to the
penstocks.
Surge Chamber

• A surge chamber or
surge tank is a
cylindrical tank
which is open at the
top to control the
pressure in penstock.
It is connected to the
penstock and as close
as possible to the
power house.
Hydraulic Turbines
• Hydraulic turbine, a device
which can convert the
hydraulic energy into the
mechanical energy which
again converted into the
electrical energy by coupling
the shaft of turbine to the
generator.
Power House

• Power house is a
building provided to
protect the hydraulic
and electrical
equipment. Generally,
the whole equipment
is supported by the
foundation or
substructure laid for
the power house.
Draft Tube

• If reaction turbines
are used, then draft
tube is a necessary
component which
connects turbine
outlet to the tailrace.
The draft tube
contains gradually 
Tailrace

• Tailrace is the flow of

water from turbines
to the stream. It is
good if the power
house is located
nearer to the stream.
But, if it is located far
away from the stream
then it is necessary to
build a channel for
carrying water into
the stream.
Primary and secondary power
• Primary lines,
are higher-voltage lines located at the top of utility poles, above
transformers. Primary wires are typically copper, aluminum and
aluminum with steel-reinforced conductors. Some are coated with
a protective covering but should not be considered insulated.
Typical primary voltages include 7,200 volts single phase and
12,500 volts three phase.
• Secondary lines
are located lower down on utility poles, usually below
transformers. Typical secondary voltages are between 120 volts to
480 volts. Although the voltage is lower, these lines can still deliver
a severe electric shock if contacted.
Primary and secondary power
 load factor
•
 utilization factor and capacity factor
•
Classification of Hydel Plants
Classification of Hydro planta on the Basis of Hydraulic Characteristics. On the basis of this
classification, the hydro plants may be divided into the following types:
(i) Run-off river plants
(ii) Storage plants
(iii) Pumped storage plants
(iv) Tidal plants
(i) Run-off River Plants.
These plants are those which utilise the minimum flow in arriver having no appreciable
pondage on its upstream side.
A weir or a barrage is sometimes constructed across a river simply to raise and maintain the
water level at a pre-determined level within arrow limits of fluctuations, either solely for the
power plant or for some other purpose where the power plant may be incidental.
Such a scheme is essentially a low head scheme and may be suitable only on a perennial
river having sufficient dry weather flow of such a magnitude as to make the development
worth while.
Run-off river plants generally have a very limited storage capacity, to
supplement the normal flow.
Such a small storage capacity, called pondage, is provided for meeting the hour
to hour fluctuations of load or of streamflow over a day: or occasionally, day to
day fluctuations over a weekly cycle.
When the available discharge at site is more than the demand (during off-peak
hours), the excess water is temporarily stored in the pond on the upstream side
of the barrage, which is then utilised during the peak hours.
The power stations constructed on diversion canals (Irrigation & Power Canals)
called Diversion canal plants, can also be placed in this category.
The various examples of run-off river plants are: Ganguwal and Kotla power
houseslocated on Nangal Hydel Channel, MohammadPur and Pathri power
houses on GangaCanal, and Sarda power house on Sarda Canal.
(i) Storage Plants
A storage plant is essentially having an upstream storage reservoir of sufficient size, so as to
permit sufficient carry-over storage from the monsoon season to the dry summer season, and
thus to develop a firm flow substantially more than the minimum natural flow.
In this scheme, a dam is constructed across the river, add the power house may be located at
the foot of the dam such as in Bhakra, Hirakund, ihand projects, etc.
The power house may sometimes be located much away from the/dam (on the down-stream
side). In such a case, the power house is located at the end of tunnels which carry water from
the reservoir.
The tunnels are connected to the power house machines by means of pressure penstocks
which may either be underground (as in Maithon and Koyna projects) or may be kept exposed
(as in Kundah project).
When the power house is located near the dam, as is generally done in the low head
installations: it is known as Concentrated fall hydroelectric development But when the water
is carried to the power house at a considerable distance from the dam through a canal, tunnel,
or penstock it is known as a Divided fall development
.(iii) Pumped Storage Plants
A pumped storage plant generates power during peak hours, but during the off-
peak hours, water is pumped back from the tail water pool to the head water
pool for future use .The pumps are run by some secondary power from some
other plant in the system.
The plant is thus primarily meant for assisting an existing thermal plant or some
other hydel plant.
During peak hours, the water flows from the reservoir to the turbine and
electricity is generated.
During off-peak hours, the excess power available from some other plant, is
utilised for pumping water back from the tail pool to the head pool. This minor
plan thus supplements the power of another major plant. In such a scheme, the
same wat is utilised again and again and no water is wasted.
 For heads varying between 15 to 90 m, re versible pump turbines have been
devised, which can function both as turbine as well as a pump.
Such reversible turbines can work at relatively high efficiencies and can help in
reducing the cost of such a plant.
Similarly, the same electrical machine can be used both as a generator as well
as a motor by reversing the poles.
The provision of such a scheme helps considerably in improving the load factor
of the power system.
(iv) Tidal Plants
Tidal plants for generation of electric power are the recent and modern
advancements, and essentially work on the principle that there is a rise in sea
water during high tide period and a fall during the low ebb period.
The water rises and falls twice a day; each fall cycle occupying about 12 hours
and 25 minutes.
The advantage of this rise and fall of water is taken in a tidal plant. In other
words, the tidal range, i.e. the difference be tween high and low tide levels is
utilised to generate power.
This is accomplished by con structing a basin separated from the ocean a
partition wall and installing turbines in openings through this wall.
Water passes from the ocean to the during high tides, and thus running the
turbines and generating electric power. During low tide. the water from the
basin runs back to ocean.
which can also be utilised to generate electric power, provided, special turbines
which can generate power for either direction of flow are installed. Such plants
are useful at places where tidal range is high.
Rance power station in France is an example of this type of power station. The
tidal range at this place is of the order of 11 meters. This power house contains
9 units of 38,000 k, watts.
classification of hydro plants on the basis of operating head on
turbine
on this basis, the plants may be divided into the following types:
(i) Low head scheme (head < 15 m)
(ii) Medium head scheme (head varies between 15 to 60 m)
(iii) High head scheme (head> 60 m)

(i) Low Head Scheme

A low head scheme is one which uses water head of lessthan 15 metres or so.
A run-off river plant is essentially a low head scheme.
In this scheme, a weir or a barrage is constructed to raise the water level, and
the power house is con structed either in continuation with the barrage or at
some distance downstream of the barrage, where water is taken to the power
house through an intake canal.
(ii) Medium Head Scheme
A medium head scheme is one which uses water head varying be tween 15 to
60 meters or so.
This scheme is thus essentially a dam reservoir scheme, although the dam
height is mediocre.
This scheme is having features somewhere between low head scheme and
high head scheme.
(iii) High Head Scheme
A high head scheme is the one which uses water head of more than 60 m or
so.
A dam of sufficient height is, therefore, required to be constructed, so as to
store water on the upstream side and to utilize this water throughout the year.
High head schemes up to heights of 1,800 meters have been developed. The
common examples of such a scheme are: Bhakra dam in (Punjab). Rihand dam
The naturally available high falls can also be developed for generating electric
power. The common examples of such power developments are: Jog Falls in
India, and Niagara Falls in U.S.A.
• Important Terms and Definitions Connected with Hydropower
1. Water Power Potential
The amount of power generated when Q comics of water is allowed to fall
through a head difference of H meters is given by
Water energy=
2. Normal Water Level (N.W.L.)
The highest elevation of water level that can be maintained in the reservoir
without any spillway discharge, either with a gated or a non-gated spillway, is
known as Normal water level.
3. Minimum Water Level (M.W.L.)
The elevation of water level which produces minimum net head on the power
units (ie. 65% of design head H) is known as minimum water level.
4. Weighted Average Level (W.A.L.)
The level above and below which equal amounts of power are developed during
an average year (e. 50% units between NWL and WAL, and 50% units between W.
A.L. and M.W.L.) is called weighted average level.
5. Design Head
It is the net head under which the turbine reaches peak ef ficiency at
synchronous speed. Generally, the design head =W.AL-M.W.L. The difference of N.
W.L. and M. W.L 125% of design head
6. Rated Head
It is the head at which the turbine functioning at full gate opening will produce a
power output, equal to that specified in the name plate of the turbine. This t.
head should be equal to the design head of the turbine, so as to ensure
maximum overall plant efficiency.
7. Gross Head
Gross head is the difference in the water level elevations at the point of
diversion of water for the hydel scheme and the point of return of water
back to the river.
8. Operating Head.
Operating head is the simultaneous difference between the elevations of water surface
in the fore way and the tailrace, after making due allowance for approach and exit
velocity heads. Operating head TEL at for way entrance-TEL. at tailrace exit.
9. Net Head or Effective Head
The effective head is the net head applied to the turbine, and is given by the
difference of head at the point of entry and exit of turbine, and includes the
respective velocity and pressure heads at both places.
10. Installed Capacity of the Power House
The total capacity in kilowatts or million killo watts of all the turbine-generator
units installed in a power house, is called its Installed capacity.
11. Dependable Capacity
It is the load carrying capability of the powerhouse with respect to the load
characteristics during a specified time interval, and is decided by the power
factor, capability and the load on the power house.
12. Load Factor (L.F.)
Load factor is defined as the ratio of the average load over a certain period
of time to the peak load during the same period. Depending upon the
period chosen, we may have different load factors, such as daily, monthly
or annualload factors.
 If the area under a load curve" is plotted, it would evidently represent the
energy consumed in kilowatt hours (kWh).
Thus, an annual load factor may also be defined as the ratio of the actual energy
consumed during that year to the peak demand assumed to continue for one
year.
13. Demand Factor
A consumer is provided with the connected load of a certain rating (kilo-watts).
He may or may not use the whole load at one time, as the may use only a part of
it. The ratio of the maximum demand at any particular time to the connected
load is known as the demand factor.
14. Capacity Factor or Plant Factor
It may be defined as the ratio of average output of the plant for a given period
of time to the plant capacity.
In other words, the capacity factor is the ratio of the energy actually produced by
the plant in any given period to the energy it would be capable of producing at
its full capacity during that period. For example, if a plant with a capacity of
10,000 kW were to produce 40,000 kWh when operating for 100 hours, then
 The capacity factor and load factor would become identical, if the peak load is
equal to the plant capacity: Le when plant is allowed to be used up to its max.
capacity, or there is no reserve capacity. However, load factor would be different,
if the plant is not used to full capacity. Hence, in the above example, if the peak
load is equal to 8000 kW (as against the station capacity of 10.000 kW), then

Also, the reserve capacity would then be

where R is Reserve capacity expressed as fraction of Plant capacity.

15. Utilisation Factor or Plant Use Factor
It is defined as

It the water head is assumed to be constant, then the utilisation factor would be
equivalent to :

The value of utilisation factor usually varies from 0.4 to 0.9 for a hydel plant,
depending upon the plant capacity, load factor and storage.
16. Firm Power
The net amount of power which is continuously available from a plant without
any break on firm or on guaranteed basis is known as firm power. This power
should be available under the most adverse hydraulic conditions. The
17. Secondary Power
The excess power available over the firm power during the off peak hours or
during monsoon, etc. is known as secondary power. There is no guarantee for
secondary power, and it is supplied to the consumers on 'as and when
available' basis.
18. Power Factor
It is defined as

The power factor can never be greater than unity. Its value depends upon the
relationship between the inductance and resistance in the load. A load with
very little inductance such as lighting bulbs, will have a power factor close to
unity.
 The usual system load has a power factor varying between 0.8 to 0.9; but if
various induction motors are installed in the load, the power factor may be as
low as 0.5.
Since the electrical machines are generally rated in KVA, the actual power
developed depends much upon the power factor. This is the reason, why most
of the Electric Supply Undertakings, do stress upon their consumers, to reduce
their inductance and improve their power factors.
Example 24.1. The load on a hydel plant varies from a minimum of 10,000 kW 10
a maximum of 35,000 kW. Two turbo-generators of capacities 22.000 kW each
havebeen installed. Calculate.
(a) total installed capacity of the plant:
(b) plant factor:
(c) maximum demand
(d) load factor
Solution.
(a) Since two generators, each of capacity 22000 kW are installed, we have the
total installed capacity=2x 22000 kW 44000 kW. Ans.
Turbine
 Pelton Turbine
• Pelton Turbine is a Tangential flow impulse turbine in which the
pressure energy of water is converted into kinetic energy to form
high speed water jet and this jet strikes the wheel tangentially to
make it rotate. It is also called as Pelton Wheel.

• Parts and Their Functions of Pelton Turbine

1. Nozzle and Flow Regulating Arrangement
2. Runner and Buckets
3. Casing
4. Braking Jet
Working of Pelton Turbine
• The water is transferred from the high head source through a long
conduit called Penstock.
• Nozzle arrangement at the end of penstock helps the water to
accelerate and it flows out as a high speed jet with high velocity and
discharge at atmospheric pressure.
• The jet will hit the splitter of the buckets which will distribute the jet
into two halves of bucket and the wheel starts revolving.
• The kinetic energy of the jet is reduced when it hits the bucket and
also due to spherical shape of buckets the directed jet will change its
direction and takes U-turn and falls into tail race.
• In general, the inlet angle of jet is in between 1o to 3o, after hitting
the buckets the deflected jet angle is in between 165℃ to 170 ℃.
• The water collected in tail race should not submerge the Pelton
wheel in any case.
• To generate more power, two Pelton wheels can be arranged to a
single shaft or two water jets can be directed at a time to a single
Kaplan Turbine
• Kaplan Turbine works on the principle of axial flow reaction. In
axial flow turbines, the water flows through the runner along the
direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the runner. The water at
the inlet of the turbine possesses both kinetic energy as well as
pressure energy for effective rotation the blades in a hydro-power
station.

• Main Components of Kaplan Turbine

• Scroll Casing
• Guide Vane Mechanism
•  Draft Tube
• Runner Blades
 Working Procedure of Kaplan Turbine
• The water coming from the pen-stock is made to enter the scroll
casing. The scroll casing is made in the required shape that the flow
pressure is not lost.
• The guide vanes direct the water to the runner blades.
• The vanes are adjustable and can adjust itself according to the
requirement of flow rate. The water takes a 90 degree turn, so the
direction of the water is axial to that of runner blades.
• The runner blades start to rotate as the water strikes due to reaction
force of the water.
• The runner blades has twist along its length in order to have always
optimum angle of attack for all cross section of blades to achieve
greater efficiency.
• From the runner blades, the water enters into the draft tube where
its pressure energy and kinetic energy decreases. Kinetic energy is
gets converted into pressure energy results in increased pressure of
the water.
• The rotation of the turbine is used to rotate the shaft of generator for
electricity production.
Application of Kaplan Turbine
• Kaplan turbines are widely used throughout the world for electrical power
production.
• It can work more efficiently at low water head and high flow rates as compared
with other types of turbines.
• It is smaller in size and easy to construct.
• The efficiency of Kaplan turbine is very high as compares with other hydraulic
turbine.
 Francis Turbine
• Francis Turbine is a combination of both impulse and reaction
turbine, where the blades rotate using both reaction and impulse
force of water flowing through them producing electricity more
efficiently. Francis turbine is used for the production of electricity in
hydro power stations. Majorly there are 2 turbines flow patterns on
which they work, namely radial and axial flow concepts.

• Main Components of Francis Turbine

1. Spiral Casing
2. Stay Vanes 
3. Guide Vanes
4. Runner Blades
Working of procedure of Pelton Turbine
• The water is allowed to enter the spiral casing of the turbine, which lead the water
through the stay vanes and guide vanes.
• The spiral case is kept in decreasing diameter so as to maintain the flow pressure.
• The stay vanes being stationary at their place, removes the swirls from the water, which
are generated due to flow through spiral casing and tries it to make the flow of water
more linear to be deflected by adjustable guide vanes.
• The angle of guide vanes decides the angle of attack of water at the runner blades thus
make sure the output of the turbine.
•  The runner blades are stationary and can-not pitch or change their angle so it’s all about
the guide vanes which controls the power output of a turbine.
• The performance and efficiency of the turbine is dependent on the design of the runner
blades. In a Francis turbine, runner blades are divided into 2 parts. The lower half is
made in the shape of small bucket so that it uses the impulse action of water to rotate the
turbine. The upper part of the blades use the reaction force of water flowing through it. 
• Thus runner blades make use of both pressure energy and kinetic energy of water and
rotates the runner in most efficient way.
• The water coming out of runner blades would lack both the kinetic energy and pressure
energy, so we use the draft tube to recover the pressure as it advances towards tail race,
but still we cannot recover the pressure to that extent that we can stop air to enter into
the runner housing thus causing cavitation.
 Reciprocating pump
• Reciprocating pump is a positive displacement pump where
certain volume of liquid is collected in enclosed volume and is
discharged using pressure to the required application.
Reciprocating pumps are more suitable for low volumes of flow
at high pressures.

• Components of Reciprocating Pump

1. Suction Pipe
2. Suction Valve
3. Delivery Pipe
4. Delivery Valve
5. Cylinder
6. Piston and Piston Rod
7. Crank and Connecting Rod
8. Strainer
9. Air Vessel
Working of Reciprocating Pump
• When the power source is connected to crank, the crank will start rotating and
connecting rod also displaced along with crank.
• The piston connected to the connecting rod will move in linear direction. If crank
moves outwards then the piston moves towards its right and create vacuum in the
cylinder.
• This vacuum causes suction valve to open and liquid from the source is forcibly
sucked by the suction pipe into the cylinder.
• When the crank moves inwards or towards the cylinder, the piston will move
towards its left and compresses the liquid in the cylinder.
• Now, the pressure makes the delivery valve to open and liquid will discharge
through delivery pipe.
• When piston reaches its extreme left position whole liquid present in the cylinder
is delivered through delivery valve.
• Then again the crank rotate outwards and piston moves right to create suction and
the whole process is repeated.
• Generally the above process can be observed in a single acting reciprocating pump
where there is only one delivery stroke per one revolution of crank. But when it
comes to double acting reciprocating pump, there will be two delivery strokes per
one revolution of crank.
Uses of Reciprocating Pump
• Reciprocating pump is mainly used forOil drilling operations
• Pneumatic pressure systems
• Light oil pumping
• Feeding small boilers condensate return
Centrifugal pump
• Centrifugal pump is a hydraulic machine which converts mechanical
energy into hydraulic energy by the use of centrifugal force acting
on the fluid. These are the most popular and commonly used type of
pumps for the transfer of fluids from low level to high level. Its is
used in places like agriculture, municipal (water and wastewater
plants), industrial, power generation plants, petroleum, mining,
chemical, pharmaceutical and many others.

• Main Parts of Centrifugal Pump

1. Impeller
2. Casing
3. Delivery Pipe
4. Suction Pipe with Foot Valve and Strainer
Working of Centrifugal Pump
• The first step in the operation of a centrifugal pump is priming.
Priming is the operation in which suction pipe casing of the pump
and the position of fluid with the liquid which is to be pumped so
that all the air from the position of pump is driven out and no air is
left.
• The necessity of priming of a centrifugal pump is due to the fact that
the pressure generated at the centrifugal pump impeller is directly
proportional to density of fluid that is in contact with it.
• After the pump is primed the delivery valve is still kept closed and
electric motor is started to rotate the impeller.
• The delivery valve is kept closed in order to reduce valve is opened
the liquid is made to flow in an outward radial direction there by
vanes of impeller at the outer circumference with high velocity at
outer circumference due to centrifugal action vacuum is created.
• This cause liquid from sump to rush through suction pipe to eye of
impeller thereby replacing long discharge from center
Types of Centrifugal Pumps
• Based on number of impellers in the pump
1. Single stage pump
2. Two-stage pump
3. Multi-stage pump

• Based on orientation of case-split,

1. Axial split Pump
2. Radial split Pump

• Based on type of impeller design

1. Single suction Pump
2. Double suction Pump
• Based on the basis compliance with industry standards
1. ANSI pump – (American National Standards Institute)
2. API pump – (American Petroleum Institute)
3. DIN pump – DIN 24256 specifications
4. ISO pump – ISO 2858, 5199 specifications
5. Nuclear pump – ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) specifications

• Based on type of volute

1. Single volute Pump
2. Double volute Pump

• Based on where the bearing support is

• Overhung
1. Between-bearing
2. Based on on shaft orientation
3. Horizontal Pump
4. Vertical Pump
Application of Centrifugal Pumps
• Oil & Energy - pumping crude oil, slurry, mud; used by refineries,
power generation plants
• Industrial & Fire Protection Industry - Heating and ventilation,
boiler feed applications, air conditioning, pressure boosting, fire
protection sprinkler systems.
• Waste Management, Agriculture & Manufacturing - Wastewater
processing plants, municipal industry, drainage, gas processing,
irrigation, and flood protection
• Pharmaceutical, Chemical & Food Industries - paints, hydrocarbons,
petro-chemical, cellulose, sugar refining, food and beverage
production
• Various industries (Manufacturing, Industrial, Chemicals,
Pharmaceutical, Food Production, Aerospace etc.) - for the purposes
of cryogenics and refrigerants.
 Thermal power
• When fuel is used to produce
steam for running the steam
turbine ,then the power is
generated is known as Thermal
power.
• The fuel used may be ordinary
fuel (coal , gas) and atomic fuel or
nuclear fuel.
• When convectional type fuels like
coal , oil. etc used to produce
steam for running the turbines ,
the power house is called Thermal
power station.
• When atomic fuel is used to
produce steam ,the power station
is called Atomic power station or
Hydropower
• When the energy of the flowing
water is used to run the turbines
,then the electricity generated is
called Hydroelectric power.
• The power house is known as
Hydel power station or
Hydroelectric power station.
• A certain quantity of water at a
certain potential head ,is
essentially made to flow the
turbines ,the flow cause runs the
turbine blades ,thus electricity
produce from the generator
coupled to the turbine.
Comparison of hydropower with thermal power costs with
reference to Indian condition
• Water is available in India most important cities and other
industrial area situated within the maximum distance of
500km. from the main concentration of hydro-resources.
• Therefore hydropower is easily developed with other
utilisations of water like irrigation, navigation ,flood
control ,water supply.
• Hydropower has been cheaper than the thermal power.
• It has been estimated ,the initial investment on a hydro
project is about 25% more than thermal project.
• But , the recurring cost on a hydro project is much less
than that on a thermal project , so hydro power is
economical.
• Hydropower is more important than thermal power India, mainly
because we do have almost inexhaustible water resources in our
country and available in needy area.
• The amount of coal available in our country is limited so we cannot
used infinitely without proper planning for the future.
• The use of hydropower found in Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh ,
Odisha etc.
• Hydro power is considered to be environmental friendly as
compared to thermal power , thermal power causes air pollution.
 Typical hydro electric power developments in
India
1. Bhakra-Nangal Hydroelectric Project
• Bhakra-Nangal hydroelectric project which is one of the major
hydroelectric projects of India.
• It consists of Bhakra dam constructed across the river Sutlej and
Nangal barrage across the same river about 13 km downstream of
Bhakra dam.
• There are two power houses one on the Left bank and the other on
the right bank, located close to the dam.
• The left bank power house has 5 units of 90 MW each and the right
bank power house has 5 units of 120 MW each.
• Francis turbines have been provided for these power plants which
are classified as medium head plants and also they come under the
category of storage or reservoir plants.
• There are two more power houses in this project, which are located on a
power channel taking off from the Nangal barrage.
• One of the power houses is located at Ganguwal which has in all 3 units
out of which 2 units are 24 MW each and 1 unit of 29MW.
• The other power house is located at Kotla on the downstream of
Ganguwal and has in all 3 units of capacities exactly same as at Ganguwal.

• The power plants at Ganguwal and Kotla may be classified as low head
plants.
2. Chambal Valley Development Scheme
• The Chambal Valley Development Scheme is another major
hydroelectric scheme of India.
• The full development consists of three dams with a power house at
each dam site and a barrage.
• The three dams constructed in series on the Chambal river are
Gandhi Sagar Dam in Madhya Pradesh and Rana Pratap Sagar Dam
and Jawahar Sagar Dam in Rajasthan.
• At Gandhi Sagar Dam there are 5 units of 23 MW each. At Rana
Pratap Sagar Dam there are 4 units of 43 MW each. At Jawahar Sagar
Dam there are 3 units of 33 MW each.
• Francis turbines have been provided for each of these power plants
which may be classified as medium head plants and also they come
under the category of storage plants.
• Rana Pratap Sagar project ,the power house is located in a pit below
the river bed, the water after issuing from the draft tubes of the
turbines is returned to the river at downstream through a standard
horseshoe shaped tunnel 1466 m long and having 12 m internal
diameter.
• A barrage has been constructed across the Chambal river near Kota
city in Rajasthan to divert the water released from the Storage and
Power dams into irrigation canals.
Hydropower potential in India and world
• India has a vast hydropower potential which is estimated to be about 90 million
kW at 60% load factor. So far very little percentage of this vast potential has been
harnessed.
• The major portion of power in India is generated by hydroelectric power plants
and thermal power plants, in the ratio 2 : 3.
• A start has, however, been made to develop large scale atomic power in the
country with Tarapur Atomic Power Station having installed capacity of 0.44
million kW, Rana Pratap Sagar Atomic Power Station having installed capacity of
0.22 million kW, and a few others.
• But even with all this the present (up to 1982–83) total installed capacity in India
is only about 35.34million kW. This is made up of 13.04 million kW hydropower,
21.44 million kW thermal power and 0.86 million kW nuclear power. Table 27.1
gives the salient features of some of the major hydropower projects of India.
• According to one assessment the world’s water power potential at
100% efficiency and utilization is estimated as about 5609 million
kW.
• while according to another assessment the world’s technically
exploitable water power potential is estimated as only about 2724
million kW.
• It will thus be observed that the later figure of the world’s water
power potential is almost half of the former.
• However, as indicated later such a vast variation in the assessment
of the world’s water power potential is bound to exist.
• The world’s hydroelectric capacity installed UpToDate is about 200
million kW, which is thus about 9% of the later assessment (i.e., 2724
million kW) of the world’s total hydropower potential.
• In Europe about 50% of the available water power potential has
been developed, and in U S A only about 30% of the available water
power potential has been developed.
• For example, in the developed countries the share of the hydropower
ranges from about 17% (in U.S.A., U.S.S.R.) to 98% (in Sweden, Norway) of
the total energy.