INTRODUCTION OF HYDROPOWER PLANT

Hydroelectricity is the term referring to electricity generated by hydropower; the

production of electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or
flowing water. It is the most widely used form of renewable energy, accounting for 16
percent of global electricity generation 3,427 terawatt-hours of electricity production
in 2010,
[1]
and is expected to increase about 3.1% each year for the next 25 years.
Hydropower is produced in 150 countries, with the Asia-Pacific region generating 32
percent of global hydropower in 2010. China is the largest hydroelectricity producer,
with 721 terawatt-hours of production in 2010, representing around 17 percent of
domestic electricity use. There are now three hydroelectricity plants larger than 10 GW:
the Three Gorges Dam in China, Itaipu Dam across the Brazil/Paraguay border,
and Guri Dam in Venezuela.
The cost of hydroelectricity is relatively low, making it a competitive source of
renewable electricity. The average cost of electricity from a hydro plant larger than 10
megawatts is 3 to 5 U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour.
[1]
Hydro is also a flexible source of
electricity since plants can be ramped up and down very quickly to adapt to changing
energy demands. However, damming interrupts the flow of rivers and can harm local
ecosystems, and building large dams and reservoirs often involves displacing people
and wildlife. Once a hydroelectric complex is constructed, the project produces no
direct waste, and has a considerably lower output level of the greenhouse gas carbon
dioxide (CO2) than fossil fuel powered energy plants.

HISTORY OF HYDROPOWER

Humans have been harnessing water to perform work for thousands of
years. The Greeks used water wheels for grinding wheat into flour more than
2,000 years ago. Besides grinding flour, the power of the water was used to saw
wood and power textile mills and manufacturing plants.

For more than a century, the technology for using falling water to create
hydroelectricity has existed. The evolution of the modern hydropower turbine
began in the mid-1700s when a French hydraulic and military engineer,
Bernard Forest de Blidor wrote Architecture Hydraulique. In this four volume
work, he described using a vertical-axis versus a horizontal-axis machine.

During the 1700s and 1800s, water turbine development continued. In
1880, a brush arc light dynamo driven by a water turbine was used to provide
theatre and storefront lighting in Grand Rapids, Michigan; and in 1881, a
brush dynamo connected to a turbine in a flour mill provided street lighting at
Niagara Falls, New York. These two projects used direct-current technology.

Alternating current is used today. That breakthrough came when the
electric generator was coupled to the turbine, which resulted in the world's,
and the United States', first hydroelectric plant located in Appleton, Wisconsin,
in 1882.












HYDROELECTRIC POWER / HYDROELECTRICITY

Hydro means "water". So, hydropower is "water power" and hydroelectric
power is electricity generated using water power. Potential energy (or the
"stored" energy in a reservoir) becomes kinetic (or moving energy). This is
changed to mechanical energy in a power plant, which is then turned into
electrical energy. Hydroelectric power is a renewable resource.
In an impoundment facility (see below), water is stored behind a dam in a
reservoir. In the dam is a water intake. This is a narrow opening to a tunnel
called a penstock.






Water pressure (from the weight of the water and gravity) forces the
water through the penstock and onto the blades of a turbine. A turbine is
similar to the blades of a child's pinwheel. But instead of breath making the
pinwheel turn, the moving water pushes the blades and turns the turbine. The
turbine spins because of the force of the water. The turbine is connected to an
electrical generator inside the powerhouse. The generator produces electricity
that travels over long-distance power lines to homes and businesses. The entire
process is called hydroelectricity.
TYPES OF HYDROPOWER PLANTS

There are three types of hydropower facilities: impoundment, diversion,
and pumped storage. Some hydropower plants use dams and some do not. The
images below show both types of hydropower plants.
Many dams were built for other purposes and hydropower was added
later. In the United States, there are about 80,000 dams of which only 2,400
produce power. The other dams are for recreation, stock/farm ponds, flood
control, water supply, and irrigation. Hydropower plants range in size from
small systems for a home or village to large projects producing electricity for
utilities.

IMPOUNDMENT







The most common type of hydroelectric power plant is an impoundment
facility. An impoundment facility, typically a large hydropower system, uses a
dam to store river water in a reservoir. Water released from the reservoir flows
through a turbine, spinning it, which in turn activates a generator to produce
electricity. The water may be released either to meet changing electricity needs
or to maintain a constant reservoir level.
DIVERSION






A diversion, sometimes called run-of-river, facility channels a portion of a river
through a canal or penstock. It may not require the use of a dam.

PUMPED STORAGE

When the demand for electricity is low, a pumped storage facility stores
energy by pumping water from a lower reservoir to an upper reservoir. During
periods of high electrical demand, the water is released back to the lower
reservoir to generate electricity.
Pumped storage hydro-electricity works on a very simple principle.Two
reservoirs at different altitudes are required. When the water is released, from
the upper reservoir, energy is created by the downflow which is directed
through high-pressure shafts, linked to turbines.
In turn, the turbines power the generators to create electricity.Water is
pumped back to the upper reservoir by linking a pump shaft to the turbine
shaft, using a motor to drive the pump.
The pump motors are powered by electricity from the National Grid - the
process usually takes place overnight when national electricity demand is at its
lowestA dynamic response - Dinorwig's six generating units can achieve
maximum output, from zero, within 16 seconds.Pump storage generation offers
a critical back-up facility during periods of excessive demand on the national
grid system.

.













SIZES OF HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS

Facilities range in size from large power plants that supply many
consumers with electricity to small and micro plants that individuals operate
for their own energy needs or to sell power to utilities.

Large hydropower
Although definitions vary, the U.S. Department of Energy defines large
hydropower as facilities that have a capacity of more than 30 megawatts.

Small hydropower
Although definitions vary, DOE defines small hydropower as facilities
that have a capacity of 100 kilowatts to 30 megawatts.

Microhydropower
A microhydropower plant has a capacity of up to 100 kilowatts. A small
or microhydroelectric power system can produce enough electricity for a home,
farm, ranch, or village.








TURBINES INSTALLATION


LAYOUT OF HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS

Hydroelectric power plants convert the hydraulic potential energy from
water into electrical energy. Such plants are suitable were water with suitable
head are available. The layout covered in this article is just a simple one and
only cover the important parts of hydroelectric plant.The different parts of a
hydroelectric power plant are

(1) Dam








Dams are structures built over rivers to stop the water flow and form a
reservoir.The reservoir stores the water flowing down the river. This water is
diverted to turbines in power stations. The dams collect water during the rainy
season and stores it, thus allowing for a steady flow through the turbines
throughout the year. Dams are also used for controlling floods and irrigation.
The dams should be water-tight and should be able to withstand the pressure
exerted by the water on it. There are different types of dams such as arch
dams, gravity dams and buttress dams. The height of water in the dam is
called head race.



(2) Spillway






A spillway as the name suggests could be called as a way for spilling of
water from dams. It is used to provide for the release of flood water from a
dam. It is used to prevent over toping of the dams which could result in
damage or failure of dams. Spillways could be controlled type or uncontrolled
type. The uncontrolled types start releasing water upon water rising above a
particular level. But in case of the controlled type, regulation of flow is possible.

(3) Penstock and Tunnel
Penstocks are pipes which carry water from the reservoir to the turbines
inside power station. They are usually made of steel and are equipped with
gate systems.Water under high pressure flows through the penstock. A tunnel
serves the same purpose as a penstock. It is used when an obstruction is
present between the dam and power station such as a mountain.

(4) Surge Tank
Surge tanks are tanks connected to the water conductor system. It
serves the purpose of reducing water hammering in pipes which can cause
damage to pipes. The sudden surges of water in penstock is taken by the surge
tank, and when the water requirements increase, it supplies the collected water
thereby regulating water flow and pressure inside the penstock.


(5) Power Station
Power station contains a turbine coupled to a generator. The water
brought to the power station rotates the vanes of the turbine producing torque
and rotation of turbine shaft. This rotational torque is transfered to the
generator and is converted into electricity. The used water is released through
the tail race. The difference between head race and tail race is called gross head
and by subtracting the frictional losses we get the net head available to the
turbine for generation of electricity.













ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF HYDROPOWER

Hydropower offers advantages over other energy sources but faces
unique environmental challenges.


ADVANTAGES

Hydropower is a fueled by water, so it's a clean fuel source. Hydropower doesn't
pollute the air like power plants that burn fossil fuels, such as coal or natural
gas.

Hydropower is a domestic source of energy.

Hydropower relies on the water cycle, which is driven by the sun, thus it's a
renewable power source.

Hydropower is generally available as needed; engineers can control the flow of
water through the turbines to produce electricity on demand.

Hydropower plants provide benefits in addition to clean electricity.
Impoundment hydropower creates reservoirs that offer a variety of recreational
opportunities, notably fishing, swimming, and boating. Most hydropower
installations are required to provide some public access to the reservoir to
allow the public to take advantage of these opportunities. Other benefits may
include water supply and flood control.

DISADVANTAGES
Fish populations can be impacted if fish cannot migrate upstream past
impoundment dams to spawning grounds or if they cannot migrate
downstream to the ocean. Upstream fish passage can be aided using fish
ladders or elevators, or by trapping and hauling the fish upstream by truck.
Downstream fish passage is aided by diverting fish from turbine intakes using
screens or racks or even underwater lights and sounds, and by maintaining a
minimum spill flow past the turbine.

Hydropower can impact water quality and flow. Hydropower plants can
cause low dissolved oxygen levels in the water, a problem that is harmful to
riparian (riverbank) habitats and is addressed using various aeration
techniques, which oxygenate the water. Maintaining minimum flows of water
downstream of a hydropower installation is also critical for the survival of
riparian habitats.

Hydropower plants can be impacted by drought. When water is not
available, the hydropower plants can't produce electricity.

New hydropower facilities impact the local environment and may compete
with other uses for the land. Those alternative uses may be more highly valued
than electricity generation. Humans, flora, and fauna may lose their natural
habitat. Local cultures and historical sites may be impinged upon. Some older
hydropower facilities may have historic value, so renovations of these facilities
must also be sensitive to such preservation concerns and to impacts on plant
and animal life.