Hydroelectric Power Plant: Layout, Working and Types

Hydroelectric Power Plant : Layout, Working and Types
1) Dam
The dam is the most important component of hydroelectric power plant. The dam is built on a
large river that has abundant quantity of water throughout the year. It should be built at a
location where the height of the river is sufficient to get the maximum possible potential
energy from water.
2) Water Reservoir
The water reservoir is the place behind the dam where water is stored. The water in the
reservoir is located higher than the rest of the dam structure. The height of water in the
reservoir decides how much potential energy the water possesses. The higher the height of
water, the more its potential energy. The high position of water in the reservoir also enables it
to move downwards effortlessly.
The height of water in the reservoir is higher than the natural height of water flowing in the
river, so it is considered to have an altered equilibrium. This also helps to increase the overall
potential energy of water, which helps ultimately produce more electricity in the power
generation unit.
Dam and Reservoir: The dam is constructed on a large river in hilly areas to ensure
sufficient water storage at height. The dam forms a large reservoir behind it. The height of
water level (called as water head) in the reservoir determines how much of potential energy is
stored in it.
3) Control Gate: Water from the reservoir is allowed to flow through the penstock to the
turbine. The amount of water which is to be released in the penstock can be controlled by a
control gate. When the control gate is fully opened, maximum amount of water is released
through the penstock.
4) Intake or Control Gates
These are the gates built on the inside of the dam. The water from reservoir is released and
controlled through these gates. These are called inlet gates because water enters the power
generation unit through these gates. When the control gates are opened the water flows due to
gravity through the penstock and towards the turbines. The water flowing through the gates
possesses potential as well as kinetic energy.
5) The Penstock
The penstock is the long pipe or the shaft that carries the water flowing from the reservoir
towards the power generation unit, comprised of the turbines and generator. The water in the
penstock possesses kinetic energy due to its motion and potential energy due to its height.
The total amount of power generated in the hydroelectric power plant depends on the height
of the water reservoir and the amount of water flowing through the penstock. The amount of
water flowing through the penstock is controlled by the control gates.
Penstock: A penstock is a huge steel pipe which carries water from the reservoir to the
turbine. Potential energy of the water is converted into kinetic energy as it flows down
through the penstock due to gravity.
6) Water Turbines
Water flowing from the penstock is allowed to enter the power generation unit, which houses
the turbine and the generator. When water falls on the blades of the turbine the kinetic and
potential energy of water is converted into the rotational motion of the blades of the turbine.
The rotating blades causes the shaft of the turbine to also rotate. The turbine shaft is enclosed
inside the generator. In most hydroelectric power plants there is more than one power
generation unit.
There is large difference in height between the level of turbine and level of water in the
reservoir. This difference in height, also known as the head of water, decides the total amount
of power that can be generated in the hydroelectric power plant.
There are various types of water turbines such as Kaplan turbine, Francis turbine, Pelton
wheels etc. The type of turbine used in the hydroelectric power plant depends on the height of
the reservoir, quantity of water and the total power generation capacity.
Water Turbine: Water from the penstock is taken into the water turbine. The turbine is
mechanically coupled to an electric generator. Kinetic energy of the water drives the turbine
and consequently the generator gets driven. There are two main types of water turbine; (i)
Impulse turbine and (ii) Reaction turbine. Impulse turbines are used for large heads and
reaction turbines are used for low and medium heads.
7) Generators
It is in the generator where the electricity is produced. The shaft of the water turbine rotates
in the generator, which produces alternating current in the coils of the generator. It is the
rotation of the shaft inside the generator that produces magnetic field which is converted into
electricity by electromagnetic field induction. Hence the rotation of the shaft of the turbine is
crucial for the production of electricity and this is achieved by the kinetic and potential
energy of water. Thus in hydroelectricity power plants potential energy of water is converted
into electricity.
Generator: A generator is mounted in the power house and it is mechanically coupled to the
turbine shaft. When the turbine blades are rotated, it drives the generator and electricity is
generated which is then stepped up with the help of a transformer for the transmission
purpose.
8) Surge Tank:
Surge tanks are usually provided in high or medium head power plants when considerably
long penstock is required. A surge tank is a small reservoir or tank which is open at the top. It
is fitted between the reservoir and the power house. The water level in the surge tank rises or
falls to reduce the pressure swings in the penstock. When there is sudden reduction in load on
the turbine, the governor closes the gates of the turbine to reduce the water flow. This causes
pressure to increase abnormally in the penstock. This is prevented by using a surge tank, in
which the water level rises to reduce the pressure. On the other hand, the surge tank provides
excess water needed when the gates are suddenly opened to meet the increased load demand.
Types of Hydro-power plants

Conventional plants:
Conventional plants use potential energy from dammed water. The energy extracted depends
on the volume and head of the water. The difference between height of water level in the
reservoir and the water outflow level is called as water head.
Pumped storage plant:
In pumped storage plant, a second reservoir is constructed near the water outflow from the
turbine. When the demand of electricity is low, the water from lower reservoir is pumped into
the upper (main) reservoir. This is to ensure sufficient amount of water available in the main
reservoir to fulfil the peak loads.
Run-of-river plant:
In this type of facility, no dam is constructed and, hence, reservoir is absent. A portion of
river is diverted through a penstock or canal to the turbine. Thus, only the water flowing from
the river is available for the generation. And due to absence of reservoir, any oversupply of
water is passed unused.
Advantages of a hydroelectric power plant
 No fuel is required as potential energy is stored water is used for electricity generation
 Neat and clean source of energy
 Very small running charges - as water is available free of cost
 Comparatively less maintenance is required and has longer life
 Serves other purposes too, such as irrigation
Disadvantages
 Very high capital cost due to construction of dam
 High cost of transmission – as hydro plants are located in hilly areas which are quite
away from the consumers

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4) Intake or Control Gates

Types of Hydro-power plants

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