OTN (One Thing New)

Hydropower Plant Lubrication

Anish Goyal
Technical Services
Pune Lube Regional Office
05.01.23
 Hydropower Plants Classification

Hydropower Plants are generally classified basis the power output received. It
is broadly classified into two categories –
• Small Hydro Plants – Less than or equal to 25 MW
• Large Hydro Plants – More than 25 MW
These hydro plants serve as modes of irrigation of local villages and source of
electricity to power nearby areas. Large hydro plants are used to produce
electricity and distribute to wider areas for catering energy needs. These are
often accompanied by a water reservoir or a dam.
There are other ways to classify basis the type of turbine used, the head
available, purpose etc.
 Hydro Power under PLRO

Various hydro power projects are present under geography of PLRO

with details as under.
Sr No Project Location Sales Area River Capacity

1 Bandardhara Hydroelectric Project AHMADNAGAR Aurangabad PRAVARA 46 MW

2 Bhatgarh Hydroelectric Project PUNE Pune Yelwandi 16 MW

3 Darna Hydroelectric Project NASIK Aurangabad Darna 4.9 MW

4 Dimbhe Hydroelectric Project PUNE Pune GHOD

5 Dudhganga Hydroelectric Project KOLHAPUR Pune DUDHAGANGA 24 MW

6 Ghatghar Hydroelectric Project AHMAD NAGAR Aurangabad PRAVARA 250 MW

Jayakwadi (Stage-I) Hydroelectric
7 AURANGABAD Aurangabad Godavari 12 MW
Project
8 Kanher Hydroelectric Project SATARA Pune VENNA

9 Khadakwasla Hydroelectric Project PUNE Pune AMBI

 Hydro Power under PLRO

Sr No Power Plant Name Location Sales Area River Capacity

10 Koyna Hydroelectric Project RATNAGIRI Pune KOYNA 1956 MW

11 Manikdoh Hydroelectric Project PUNE Pune KUKADI

Nira Deoghar Hydroelectric
12 PUNE Pune Nira
Project
13 Pawana Hydroelectric Project PUNE Pune PAWNA

14 Radhangiri Hydroelectric Project KOLHAPUR Pune BHOGAWATI 10 MW

15 Tillari Hydroelectric Project KOLHAPUR Pune TILLARI 60 MW

16 Ujjani Hydroelectric Project SHOLAPUR Pune BHIMA 12 MW

17 Veer Hydroelectric Project PUNE Pune Nira 9 MW

18 Warasgaon Hydroelectric Project PUNE Pune MOSE 8 MW

19 Warna Hydroelectric Project SANGALI Pune WARNA 16 MW

 Lubricants Used at Hydro Power
Plants
Briefly, following lubes are used at a typical hydro power plant –
• Turbine Oil - International markets govern use of synthetic base oil stocks for better
water resistance properties
• Gear Oils – These are again usually synthetic base oil stocks for enhanced
performance
• Greases – Water stable greases with excellent water washout properties and load
bearing capacity
• Transformer Oils
• Hydraulic Oils for pump and gate mechanisms
• Biodegradable Lubricants
• Air Compressor Oils
 Way Forward

1. To establish contacts with the major hydro power plants with

capacity more than 25 MW
2. Most of the plants are managed by MAHAGENCO
3. Pan India Supplies data to hydro power plants like NHPC, OHPC,
Madhya Pradesh State Generation etc
4. Lube survey at a small hydro power plant to understand lubrication
requirements
5. Volume may be less but potential is great