INTRODUCTION

Hydro power (also called hydroelectric power) is

considered a renewable energy source. A renewable
energy source is one that is not depleted in the
production of energy. Through hydropower, The
power obtained from river or ocean water is
called as hydropower .
Hydropower energy is ultimately derived from the
sun, which drives the water cycle. In the water
cycle, rivers are recharged in a continuous cycle.
Because of the force of gravity, water flows from
high points to low points. There is kinetic energy
produced by the flow of water.
Hydroelectric power (hydropower) systems
convert the kinetic energy in flowing water into
electric energy.

It is One of the most widely used renewable

source of energy for generating electricity on
large scale basis is hydropower .
How Hydropower Works
•Water from the reservoir flows due to gravity to
drive the turbine.
•Turbine is connected to a generator.
•Power generated is transmitted over power
lines.
Sizes of Hydropower Plants
 Definitions may vary.
 Large plants : capacity >30 MW
 Small Plants : capacity b/w 100 kW to 30 MW
 Micro Plants : capacity up to 100 kW
Large Scale Hydropower plant

A large hydropower
facility has the
capacity to produce
more than 30,000
kilowatts (kW) of
electricity.
Small Scale Hydropower Plant

Small hydropower
facilities can produce
100 – 30,000 kilowatts
(kW) of electricity.
Micro Hydropower Plant

Micro hydropower
plants have the
capacity to produce
100 kilowatts (kW)
or less.
ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF
HYDRO POWER PLANT
 Advantages
1) No fuel required
2) Cost of electricity is constant
3) No air-pollution is created
4) Long life
5) Cost of generation of electricity
6) Can easily work during high peak daily loads
7) Irrigation of farms
8) Water sports and gardens
9) Prevents floods
 DISADVANTAGES

1) Safety of the dams

2) Disruption in the surrounding areas
3) Requires large areas
4) Large scale human displacement
5) Very high capital cost or investment
6) High quality construction
7) Site specific
8) Effects on environment
Coal vs. Hydro Kinetic Energy
Conversion

35% 95%
 Hydro costs are highly site specific
 Dams are very expensive
 Civil works form two-thirds of total cost
– Varies 25 to 80%
 Large Western schemes: $ 1200/kW
 Developing nations: $ 800 to $ 2000/kW
 Compare with CCGT: $ 600 to $800/kW

Construction Costs
 Many fishes require flowing water for reproduction
and cannot adapt to stagnant resulting in the
reduction in its population.
 Heating of the reservoirs may lead to decrease in the
dissolved oxygen levels.
 Other water-borne diseases like malaria, river-
blindness become prevalent.
 A large area is taken up in the form of a reservoir in
case of large dams.

Other problems
Hydropower is an important renewable
energy source world wide...