Cecos University

Faculty of Engineering, phase 6,Hayat Abad Peshawar

Lecture # 06
ME 434 Renewable Energy
Resources

How Hydroelectric Power

Works
Hydrological Cycle

Cecos University
Faculty of Engineering, phase 6,Hayat Abad Peshawar

Cecos University
Faculty of Engineering, phase 6,Hayat Abad Peshawar

Gravitational Potential Energy

In addition to the water cycle, hydropower is dependent upon
stored gravitational energy. A rock on top of a hill contains
potential energy because of its position. If a force pushes the
rock, it rolls down the hill because of the force of gravity.
Potential energy is then converted to kinetic energy until it
reaches the bottom of the hill and stops

Cecos University
Faculty of Engineering, phase 6,Hayat Abad Peshawar

Generating Power
In nature, energy cannot be created or destroyed, but its form
can change. In generating electricity, no new energy is created.
To generate electricity, water must be in motion. When flowing
water turns blades in a turbine, the form is changed to
mechanical (machine) energy. The turbine turns the generator
rotor which then converts this mechanical energy into another
energy form -- electricity. Since water is the initial source of
energy, we call this hydroelectric power or hydropower for short.
At facilities called hydroelectric power plants, hydropower is
generated.Somepowerplants are located on rivers, streams, and
canals, but for a reliable water supply, dams are needed
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Cecos University
Faculty of Engineering, phase 6,Hayat Abad Peshawar

Generating Power

The dam creates a head or height from which water flows. A

pipe (penstock) carries the water from the reservoir to the
turbine. The fast-moving water pushes the turbine blades. 5The
waters force on the turbine blades turns the rotor, the moving
part of the electric generator.

Cecos University
Faculty of Engineering, phase 6,Hayat Abad Peshawar

Transmitting Power

Once the electricity is produced, it must be delivered to where it

is needed -- our homes, schools, offices, factories, etc. Dams are
often in remote locations and power must be transmitted over
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some distance to its users.

Cecos University
Faculty of Engineering, phase 6,Hayat Abad Peshawar

Transmitting Power

All the electricity made at a power plant comes first through

transformers which raise the voltage so it can travel long
distances through power lines at local substations, transformers
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reduce the voltage so electricity can be divided up and directed
throughout an area.

Cecos University
Faculty of Engineering, phase 6,Hayat Abad Peshawar

How Power is Computed

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.

Cecos University
Faculty of Engineering, phase 6,Hayat Abad Peshawar

Flow Rate
Flow Rate = the quantity of water flowing
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.

Cecos University
Faculty of Engineering, phase 6,Hayat Abad Peshawar

Head
Head = the height from which water falls
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.

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Cecos University
Faculty of Engineering, phase 6,Hayat Abad Peshawar

A Standard Equation for

Calculating Power

Power = (Head) x (Flow) x (Efficiency)

11.8
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 11

Cecos University
Faculty of Engineering, phase 6,Hayat Abad Peshawar

An Example
As an example,
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.

Power = (Head) x (Flow) x (Efficiency)

11.8
Power =

235ft. x 2200 cfs x .80

11.8

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Cecos University
Faculty of Engineering, phase 6,Hayat Abad Peshawar

An Example
Power = 517,000 x .80/11.8
Power = 413,600/11.8

Power = 35,051 kilowatts (kW)

Generator is actually rated at a capacity of 36,000 kW.

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Cecos University
Faculty of Engineering, phase 6,Hayat Abad Peshawar

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-of-the-river systems are often low-head.

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Cecos University
Faculty of Engineering, phase 6,Hayat Abad Peshawar

Hydropower Plants Also Vary

in Size

There are large power plants that produce hundreds of

megawatts of electricity and serve thousands of families.
There are also small and micro hydropower plants that
individuals can operate for their own energy needs. The
Department of Energy classifies power plants by how much
energy they are able to produce.

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Cecos University
Faculty of Engineering, phase 6,Hayat Abad Peshawar

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.

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Cecos University
Faculty of Engineering, phase 6,Hayat Abad Peshawar

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.

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Cecos University
Faculty of Engineering, phase 6,Hayat Abad Peshawar

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.

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Cecos University
Faculty of Engineering, phase 6,Hayat Abad Peshawar

Hydraulic Turbine

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Cecos University
Faculty of Engineering, phase 6,Hayat Abad Peshawar

Types of Turbine
There are two basic types of Hydraulic Turbine
impulse and reaction,
impulse turbines require a higher head, but can operate
with a smaller volume flow rate.
Reaction turbines can operate with much less head, but
require a higher volume flow rate.

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Cecos University
Faculty of Engineering, phase 6,Hayat Abad Peshawar

Impulse Turbine / Pelton Wheel

The modern and most efficient type of impulse turbine was
invented by Lester A. Pelton (18291908) in 1878, and the
rotating wheel is now called a Pelton wheel in his honor.
The buckets of a Pelton wheel are designed so as to split
the flow in half, and turn the flow nearly 180 around (with
respect to a frame of reference moving with the bucket)

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Cecos University
Faculty of Engineering, phase 6,Hayat Abad Peshawar

Pelton Wheel

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Cecos University
Faculty of Engineering, phase 6,Hayat Abad Peshawar

Pelton Wheel
j n

Q Q1 Q 2 Q 3 Q n Q
j1

H m H m1 H m2 H m3 H mn

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Cecos University
Faculty of Engineering, phase 6,Hayat Abad Peshawar

Reaction Turbine
The other main type of energy-producing hydroturbine is the
reaction turbine, which consists of fixed guide vanes called
stay vanes, adjustable guide vanes called wicket gates,
and rotating blades called runner blades

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Cecos University
Faculty of Engineering, phase 6,Hayat Abad Peshawar

Quiz # 02
Next 1 hr Class
Assignment # 02
Reaction Turbine
Next 2 hr Class

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