Hydroelectric Power

Abstract

This chapter describes the water cycle and origins of hydro energy. It furthermore discusses the power and energy of water and then describes the large hydropower plants, the types and size of turbines, and other critical performance parameters. Micro hydroelectric plants are discussed next as well as the cost of hydroelectric power. The chapter ends with a case study.

Exercise 2

• 1. What is an upper absolute upper limit to the Earth’s hydro capacity expressed in TWh if the total precipitation over the land area is 10¹⁷ kg per year and the mean height of land above the sea level is 840 m? (g = 9.81 m/s²) Express with the correct number of significant figures [228.9 TWh].

• 2. Calculate the electrical power in kW delivered from a micro-hydro plant on a mountain stream with an effective head of 40 m and a water flow of 12,000 L/min (g = 9.81 m/s²). The generator efficiency is 80%. Express the result with two significant figures [62.78 kW].

• 3. Apart from micro-hydro systems elaborated in this chapter, find out more about different types of hydroelectric power plants such as large hydro, medium hydro, small hydro, mini-hydro, and pico-hydro systems. Prepare short notes about them.

• 4. Analyze the differences between hydroelectric powerplants and pumped hydro storage.

• 5. What are the differences between impulse turbines and reaction turbines?