Alternative Energy

Resources
Hydroelectric Power
Plant

Hydroelectric power (often called hydropower) is

considered a renewable energy source. A renewable
energy source is one that is not depleted (used up) in the
production of energy. Through hydropower, the energy in
falling water is converted into electricity without using up
the water

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
embodied in the flow of water.

Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. Any moving object has

kinetic energy.

Humans first learned to

harness the kinetic energy
in water by using
waterwheels.
A waterwheel is a revolving
wheel fitted with blades,
buckets, or vanes.
Waterwheels convert the
kinetic energy of flowing
water to mechanical
energy.

 Mechanical energy is
a form of kinetic energy,
such as in a machine.
Mechanical energy has
the ability to do work.
Any object that is able
to do work has
mechanical energy.
Early waterwheels used
mechanical energy to
grind grains and to
drive machinery such as
sawmills and blacksmith
equipment.

Waterwheel technology advanced over time.

Turbines are advanced, very efficient
waterwheels. They are often enclosed to further
capture waters energy.

Not long after the discovery of electricity, it

was realized that a turbines mechanical
energy could be used to activate a generator
and produce electricity. The first
hydroelectric power plant was
constructed in 1882 in Appleton,
Wisconsin. It produced 12.5 kilowatts of
electricity which was used to light two paper
mills and one home.

How a Hydroelectric Power

System Works?

 Flowing water is directed at a

turbine. The flowing water
causes the turbine to rotate,
converting the waters
kinetic energy into
mechanical energy. The
mechanical energy produced
by the turbine is converted
into electric energy using a
turbine generator. Inside the
generator, the shaft of the
turbine spins a magnet inside
coils of copper wire. It is a
fact of nature that moving a
magnet near a conductor
causes an electric current.

How much electricity can be generated

by a hydroelectric power plant?

The amount of electricity that can be

generated by a hydropower plant depends on
two factors:
flow rate - the quantity of water flowing in
a given time; and
head - the height from which the water
falls.
The greater the flow and head, the more
electricity produced.

 Flow Rate - When more water flows through a

turbine, more electricity can be produced. The flow
rate depends on the size of the river and the amount
of water flowing in it. Power production is considered
to be directly proportional to river flow. That is, twice
as much water flowing will produce twice as much
electricity.
Head - The farther the water falls, the more power it
has. The higher the dam, the farther the water falls,
producing more hydroelectric power. Power
production is also directly proportional to head. That
is, water falling twice as far will produce twice as
much electricity. It is important to note that when
determining head, hydrologists take into account the
pressure behind the water. Water behind the dam
puts pressure on the falling water.

A
standard equation for calculating energy
production:
Power = the electric power in kilowatts or kW
Head = the distance the water falls (measured in
feet)
Flow = the amount of water flowing (measured
in cubic feet per second or cfs)
Efficiency = How well the turbine and generator
convert the power of falling water into electric
power. This can range from 60% (0.60) for older,
poorly maintained hydroplants to 90% (0.90) for
newer, well maintained plants.
11.8 = Index that converts units of feet and
seconds into kilowatts

 As an example, lets see how much power

can be generated by the power plant at
Roosevelt Dam, the uppermost dam on the
Salt River in Arizona. Although the dam itself
is 357 feet high, the head (distance the
water falls) is 235 feet. The typical flow rate
is 2200 cfs. Lets say the turbine and
generator are 80% efficient.

Roosevelts generator is actually rated at a

capacity of 36,000 kW.

 High-head Hydropower - Tall dams are sometimes

referred to as high-head hydropower systems. That is,
the height from which water falls is relatively high.
Low-head Hydropower - Many smaller hydropower
systems are considered low-head because the height
from which the water falls is fairly low. Low-head
hydropower systems are generally less than 20 feet
high.

Construction and Working of

Hydro Power Plant
Fundamental parts of hydro power plant are
a) Area
b) Dam
c) Reservoir
d) Penstock
e) Storage tank
f) Turbines and generators
g) Switchgear and protection

Environmental Considerations
High-head hydropower systems can produce a
tremendous amount of power. However, large
hydropower facilities, while essentially pollution-free
to operate, still have undesirable effects on the
environment. Installation of new large hydropower
projects today is very controversial because of their
negative environmental impacts. These include:
upstream flooding
declining fish populations
decreased water quality and flow
reduced quality of upstream and downstream
environments

Types of Hydropower Facilities

Impoundment system - An impoundment
is simply a dam that holds water in a
reservoir. The water is released when
needed through a penstock, to drive the
turbine. This illustration shows the parts of a
standard hydroelectric dam. Most large,
high-head hydropower facilities use
impoundments.

Types of Hydropower Facilities

Run-of-the-River Hydropower System A run-of-the-river system uses the rivers
natural flow and requires little or no
impoundment. It may involve a diversion of
a portion of the stream through a canal or
penstock, or it may involve placement of a
turbine right in the stream channel. Run-ofthe-river systems are often low-head.

Hydropower Plants Also Vary in Size

Large Hydropower - A large

hydropower facility has the capacity
to produce more than 30,000
kilowatts (kW) of electricity. Large
hydropower systems typically require
a dam.
Small Hydropower - Small
hydropower facilities can produce
100 30,000 kilowatts (kW) of
electricity. Small hydropower facilities
may involve a small dam, or be a
diversion of the main stream, or be a
run-of-the-river system.
Micro Hydropower - Micro
hydropower plants have the capacity
to produce 100 kilowatts (kW) or
less. Micro-hydro facilities typically
use a run-of-the-river system

Advantages of Hydroelectric Energy

1. Renewable - Hydroelectric energy is renewable. This means that we
cannot use up. However, theres only a limited number of suitable
reservoirs where hydroelectric power plants can be built and even less
places where such projects are profitable.
2. Green - Generating electricity with hydro energy is not polluting itself.
The only pollution occurs during the construction of these massive power
plants.
3. Reliable - Hydroelectricity is very reliable energy. There are very little
fluctuations in terms of the electric power that is being by the plants,
unless a different output is desired. Countries that have large resources
of hydropower use hydroelectricity as a base load energy source. As long
as there is water in the magazines electricity can be generated.
4. Flexible - As previously mentioned, adjusting water flow and output
of electricity is easy. At times where power consumption is low, water
flow is reduced and the magazine levels are being conserved for times
when the power consumption is high.
5. Safe - Compared to among others fossil fuels and nuclear energy,
hydroelectricity is much safer. There is no fuel involved (other than water
that is).

Disadvantages of Hydroelectric Energy

1. Environmental Consequences - The environmental consequences of
hydropower are related to interventions in nature due to damming of water,
changed water flow and the construction of roads and power lines.
Hydroelectric power plants may affect fish is a complex interaction between
numerous physical and biological factors. More user interests related to
exploitation of fish species, which helps that this is a field that many have
strong opinions on. Fish habitats are shaped by physical factors such as
water level, water velocity and shelter opportunities and access to food.
Draining would be completely devastating to the fish. Beyond this, the
amount of water may have different effects on the fish in a river, depending
on the type and stage of the lifecycle. Not all unregulated river systems are
optimal in terms of fish production, because of large fluctuations in flow.
2. Expensive - Building power plants in general is expensive. Hydroelectric
power plants are not an exception to this. On the other hand, these plants do
not require a lot of workers and maintenance costs are usually low.
3. Droughts - Electricity generation and energy prices are directly related to
how much water is available. A drought could potentially affect this.
4. Limited Reservoirs - We have already started using up suitable
reservoirs for hydroelectric power plants. There are currently about 30 major
power plants that are expected to generate more than 2.000 MW under
construction. Only one of these projects was started in the last two years.