HYDRO-ELECTRIC

POWER PLANT
Hydro-electric Power Plant
Electric power is produced by falling water that rotates a
turbine.
The potential energy of water at high level is converted to
mechanical energy by the turbine and the mechanical energy
is converted to electrical energy by the generator.
The advantage of hydroelectric power plant is that it needs
no fuel and the dam can be used as flood control and
irrigation.
Most of the hydroelectric power plant are used to cope up
peak loads because they can be easily started and stopped.
Basic Parts of High-Head Hydroelectric Plant
Basic Parts of High-Head Hydroelectric Plant
Reservoir stores the water coming from the upper river or
water falls.
Headwater the water in the reservoir.
Spillway a weir in the reservoir which discharges excess
water so that the heads of the plant will be maintained.
Dam the concrete structure that encloses the reservoir.
Silt Sluice a chamber which collects the mud and through
which the mud is discharged
Basic Parts of High-Head Hydroelectric Plant
Trash Rack a screen which prevents the leaves, branches and
other water contaminants to enter into the penstock.
Valve opens or closes the entrance of water into the penstock.
Surge Chamber a standpipe connected to the atmosphere and
attached to the penstock so that the water will be at atmospheric
pressure.
Penstock the channel that leads the water from the reservoir to
the turbine.
Turbine converts energy of the water into mechanical energy.
Basic Parts of High-Head Hydroelectric Plant
Generator converts the mechanical energy of the turbine into
electrical energy output.
Draft tube connects the turbine outlet to the tailwater so that the
turbine can be set above the tailwater level.
Tailrace a channel which leads the water from the turbine to the
tailwater.
Tailwater the water that is discharged from the turbine.
Run-of-the-River (Low Head) Hydroelectric
Power Plant

Pondage the water behind the dam of a run-of-the-river

hydroelectric power plant.
Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Power Plant
Pumped storage plant
is a hydroelectric plant
which involves the use of
off-peak energy to store
water and to use the stored
water to generate extra
energy to cope with the
peak load. Pumped storage
hydroelectric plant is also
termed as Hydraulic
Accumulator.
Classification of Hydraulic Turbines
1. Impulse (Pelton) Turbine high head and low flow
Classification of Hydraulic Turbines
2. Reaction Turbine
a. Francis Turbine low head and high efficiency
Classification of Hydraulic Turbines
b. Propeller (Kaplan) Turbine very low head and efficiency is
lower that Francis.
Selection of Turbine Type based on head
Net Head Type of Turbine
Up to 70 ft Propeller Type
70 ft to 110 ft Propeller type or Francis
110 ft to 800 ft Francis Type
800 ft to 1300 ft Francis or Impulse
1300 ft and above Impulse
Performance of Hydroelectric Power Plant
Performance of Hydroelectric Power Plant
ContinuationFriction Head Loss
Where:
f = coefficient of friction
L = total length of pipe, in meters
V = velocity, m/sec
g = 9.81 m/sec2
D = inside diameter, meters
(Friction head loss is usually expressed as a percentage of the gross
head.)
Performance of Hydroelectric Power Plant
Performance of Hydroelectric Power Plant
Performance of Hydroelectric Power Plant
Performance of Hydroelectric Power Plant
Performance of Hydroelectric Power Plant
Performance of Hydroelectric Power Plant
Performance of Hydroelectric Power Plant
Performance of Hydroelectric Power Plant
Performance of Hydroelectric Power Plant
Performance of Hydroelectric Power Plant
Performance of Hydroelectric Power Plant
Performance of Hydroelectric Power Plant
HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANT

PROBLEMS
Problem 1
A hydroelectric power plant having 50 sq. km reservoir area and 100
m head is used to generate power. The energy utilized by the
consumers whose load is connected to the power plant during a five-
hour period is 13.5x106 kW-hr. The overall generation efficiency is
75%. Find the fall in the height of water in the reservoir after 5-hour
period.
a. 2.13 m c. 3.21 m
b. 1.32 m d. 0.53 m
Problem 2
45 kW of the shaft power is developed by a turbine working under
an available head of 40 meters. Assuming hydraulic and mechanical
efficiencies to be 87% and 95% respectively, what is the discharge
through the turbine in m3/s?
a. 0.0345 c. 1.511
b. 0.139 d. 1.234
Problem 3
A vertical draft tube is installed on a Francis turbine with a head of
38 meters at the inlet while discharge is 2.1 m3/s. The hydraulic
efficiency is 0.87 and overall efficiency is 0.84. The velocities at the
inlet and exit of the draft tube are 5 m/s and 1.5 m/s, respectively.
The top of the draft is 1 m below the center line of the spiral casing
while the tailrace (water) level is 3 m from the top of the draft tube.
There is no velocity of whirl at either top or bottom of the draft tube
and leakage losses are negligible. What is the power output of the
turbine in kW?
a. 746.9 c. 901.3
b. 632.9 d. 832.6
Problem 4
A Pelton Wheel is to be designed to run at 300 rpm under an
effective head of 150 m. The ratio of the nozzle diameter to the
diameter of the pitch circle is 1/12. assuming efficiency of 84%, what
is the size of the wheel in meters. Assume speed ratio of 0.45.

a. 1.05 c. 1.55
b. 2.00 d. 2.86
Problem 5
A hydro-electric generating station is supplied from a reservoir of
capacity 6,000,000 m3 at a head of 170 m. Assume hydraulic
efficiency of 80% and electrical efficiency of 90%. The fall in the
reservoir level after a load of 15 MW has been supplied for 3 hours,
if the area of the reservoir is 2.5 sq. km is closest to:

a. 5.39 cm c. 5.98 cm
b. 4.32 cm d. 4.83 cm
Problem 6
A hydroelectric plant discharges water at the rate of 0.75 cubic meter
per second and enters the turbine at 0.35 mps with a pressure of
275kPa. Runner inside diameter is 550 mm, speed is 520 rpm and
the turbine efficiency is 88%. Find the turbine speed factor.

a. 0.638 c. 0.368
b. 0.386 d. 0.836
Problem 7
The nozzle efficiency of a Pelton turbine is 90%. Find the velocity of
water at the nozzle exit if the head is 180 meters.

a. 53.48 m/s c. 77.4 m/s

b. 65.4 m/s d. 89.4 m/s
Problem 8
A hydro-electric plant in Loboc, Bohol discharges 205 ft3/sec and
reduces the pressure from 50 psi to 30 psi. Determine the power
output in MW.

a. 0.80 MW c. 1.80 MW
b. 1.20 MW d. 2.40 MW
Problem 9
A hydraulic turbine receives water from a reservoir at an elevation of
100 meters above it. What is the minimum water flow in kg per
second to produce a steady turbine output of 50 MW?

a. 50,247 c. 50,672
b. 50,968 d. 50,465
Problem 10
The pressure drop across a turbine is 25 psi. The flow rate is 55
gallons per minute. Calculate the power output of the turbine.

a. 0.802 hp c. 1.05 hp
b. 0.41 hp d. 2.54 hp
Problem 11
A reaction turbine develops 500 bhp. Flow through the turbine is 50
cfs. Water enters at 20 fps with a 100 ft pressure head. The elevation
of the turbine above the tailwater level is 10 ft. Find the effective
head.

a. 130 ft c. 110 ft
b. 120 ft d. 116.2 ft
Problem 12
The hydraulic efficiency of hydro-electric turbine is 85%, find the
discharge in liters per second. Power developed is 10,500 kW and
operating under a head of 320 m.

a. 3,935 L/s c. 9,533 L/s

b. 3,395 L/s d. 5,933 L/s
Problem 13
A horizontal tube supplies 280 liters per second of water to a
hydraulic turbine. The net head is 46.50 m. Determine the power
supplied to the turbine.

a. 117.7 kW c. 137.7 kW
b. 127.7 kW d. 157.7 kW
Problem 14
What is the overall efficiency of the turbine if the power developed is
15,000 kW at a head of 170 meters and the nozzle discharge is 10
cubic meters per second?

a. 70.09 % c. 79.98 %
b. 89.94 % d. 90.96 %
Problem 15
If the available water power of a hydro-station is 3,500 MW and the
head of water is 280 meters, determine the water rate of flow.

a. 1,420 m3/sec c. 875 m3/sec

b. 12,500 m3/sec d. 1,274 m3/sec
Problem 16
What is the overall efficiency of the turbine if the power developed is
12 MW at a head of 150 meters and the nozzle discharge 10 cubic
meters each second.

a. 70.65% c. 81.55%
b. 78.99% d. 89.23%
Problem 17
A reaction turbine develops 500 bhp. Flow through the turbine is 50
cfs. Water enters at 20 fps with a 100 ft pressure head. The elevation
of the turbine above the tailwater level is 10 ft. What is the turbine
efficiency?

a. 65.8% c. 85.8%
b. 75.8% d. 90.5%
Problem 18
A river 60 m wide and 2 m deep flows at 2 m/s. If a hydro-plant
develops a pressure of 300 kPa gage just before the turbine, what
power in MW can be developed?

a. 40 c. 56
b. 48 d. 72
Problem 19
The difference between the head race and the tail race of a hydro-
electric plant is 220 m. The friction loss through the penstock is
equivalent to 10 m. Water flows at the rate of 3.0 m3/sec. Power loss
due to friction in the turbine is 50 kW and the leakage loss is 0.103
m3/sec. Determine the electrical power generated in kW if the
generator efficiency is 90%.
a. 3966 c. 4931
b. 4255 d. 5326
Problem 20
A hydro-electric power plant has the following data: catchment area,
100 sq. km; average annual rainfall, 150 cm; run off, 90%; available
head, 400 m; overall station efficiency, 80%. Calculate the power that
it can develop in kw.

a. 11,789 c. 12,435
b. 10,567 d. 13,435
Problem 21
In a certain municipality, a proposed hydro-electric plant site has the
following data: the elevation of the head water is 500 m, tail water
elevation is 390m, average annual water flow is determined to be
equal to that volume flowing through a regular channel 5m wide and
1.0m deep and average velocity of 6.0 m/sec. Assuming that the
plant will operate 345 days a year. Find the annual energy in kW-hr
that the power site can develop if the hydraulic turbine that will be
used has an efficiency of 83% and generator efficiency of 93%.
Assume a head loss of 5% of the available head.
a. 176,561,261 kW-hr c. 146,561,261 kW-hr
b. 196,561,261 kW-hr d. 116,561,261 kW-hr
Problem 22
The water surface on the dam of a certain hydroelectric power plant
in Mindanao is at an elevation of 165 m, while the water surface just
at an outlet of the gate is 160 m. The head gate has an opening of
1.25m x 1.25m leading to the penstock which is fully opened.
Assume 70% as coefficient of discharge. Determine (1) the quantity
of water that enters the hydraulic turbine per second; and (2) the kW
output of the turbine, assuming 81.5% efficiency and the turbine is
110m below the entrance of the penstock.
a. (1) 6.56 m3; (2) 7890 c. (1) 10.8 m3; (2) 9,960
b. (1) 7.45 m3; (2) 8200 d. (1) 15.6 m3; (2) 12,200
Problem 23
A certain community in the mountains of Mindanao plans to put up a
small hydro-electric plant to service 5 closely located barangays estimated
to consume 61,320,000 kw-hr per annum. Expected flow of water is 1,700
m3/min. The most favourable location for plant fixes the tail water level at
400 m, the manufacturer of the turbine generator set have indicated the
following performance data: Turbine efficiency is 85%, generator
efficiency is 91%, losses in head work will not exceed 5% of the available
head. Determine (1) the head water elevation (HWE); and (2) the
synchronous speed of generator if the number of poles is 4, and the
frequency is 60 Hz.
a. (1) 434 m; (2) 1800rpm c. (1) 344 m; (2) 1200 rpm
b. (1) 388 m; (2) 1500 rpm d. (1) 299 m; (2) 1000 rpm
Problem 24 (situational)
A proposed hydroelectric power plant in Bohol has the following data:
Elevation of normal head water 200 m
Elevation of normal tail water... 80 m
Loss of head due to friction. 10 m
Turbine discharge at full gate opening. 6.5 m3/sec
Turbine efficiency at rated capacity..... 85 %
Turbine is directly connected to 60 cycle AC generator.
Problem 24 (situational)
A. Determine the effective head of the hydro-electric power plant.
a. 80 m c. 110 m
b. 99m d. 160 m

B. Find the brake power of the turbine in kW.

a. 4162 kw c. 5562 kw
b. 4962 kw d. 5962 kw
Problem 24 (situational)
C. Find the number of poles of the generator if the rotative speed is
900 rpm.
a. 2 poles c. 8 poles
b. 4 poles d. 10 poles

D. Find the kW output of the direct connected generator if the

efficiency is 92%
a. 5485 kW c. 5584 kW
b. 4585 kW d. 4855 kW
Problem 25 (situational)
A certain hydro storage plant in Laguna has 18,000 kW rated
capacity, with a utilization factor of 70%. For a 2.0 hr peak,
determine the hydraulic impoundment of water required, with
frictional loss of 4 ft. Dam elevation at 130 ft and hydroelectric
turbine elevation of 40 ft and a tail race at elevation 30 ft. Generator
efficiency is 90% and a turbine efficiency of 80% and evaporation
factor of 25%. Assume that the water is pumped from the low
reservoir with friction factor of 10%, pump efficiency of 75% and
motor efficiency of 84%.
a. 51.3 m3/sec c. 71.3 m3/sec
b. 61.3 m3/sec d. 81.3 m3/sec
Problem 25 (situational)
A. How many kW-hr is required to pump the water needed to carry
the peak?
a. 64,911.80 c. 84,911.80
b. 74,911.80 d. 94,911.80

B. What is the overall efficiency of the hydroelectric power plant?

a. 15% c. 30%
b. 20% d. 38%
Problem 26
If it is desired to use a type of hydraulic turbine whose specific speed
is 50 rpm to deliver 150 hp at 150 ft head, what will be the corrected
speed of the unit?

a. 1143 rpm c. 1943 rpm

b. 1743 rpm d. 2143 rpm
Problem 27
A hydroelectric power station is to be constructed has an average
annual rainfall of 1.5 m. The catchment area is 230 km2 with an
available head of 40 m. Only 80% of the rainfall can be collected and
of the impoundment water is available for power. The load factor
of the station is 82%. The penstock efficiency is 95%, turbine
efficiency is 80%, and generator efficiency is 90%. (1) Calculate the
average power that could be generated; and (2) the installed
capacity of the power station.
a. (1) 2,962 kw; (2) 1,549 kw c. (1) 1,962 kw; (2) 1,949 kw
b. (1) 2,762 kw; (2) 2,549 kw d. (1) 1762 kw; (2) 2,149 kw
Problem 28 (situational)
An existing hydroelectric power plant has the following data and design:
Gross head .. 49.5 ft
Mean flow 75 ft3/sec
Length of penstock ... 80 ft
Penstock diameter . 3.5 ft
Assumptions:
Coefficient of friction .. 0.020
Turbine efficiency .. 88%
Generator efficiency 92%
Problem 28 (situational)
A. Find the net head in ft used by the turbine.
a. 42 c. 49
b. 44 d. 59

B. Find the Hp developed by the turbine.

a. 312 c. 367
b. 339 d. 667
Problem 28 (situational)
C. Find the standard capacity of synchronous generator.
a. 338 hp c. 388 hp
b. 358 hp d. 489 hp

D. Find the motor rpm assuming 6 poles.

a. 900 rpm c. 1800 rpm
b. 1200 rpm d. 2200 rpm
Problem 29
A mini-hydropower plant has an available head of 5m. The water
flow is 1.25 m3/sec, efficiency of the turbine is 90%, efficiency of the
generator is 92%. Determine the maximum output of the generator
in kW.
a. 29.5 c. 50.7
b. 42.5 d. 69.5
Problem 30
It is desired to develop a 5MW impulse turbine under an effective
head of 320 m. The turbine efficiency is 85%. Velocity coefficient of
the nozzle is 99%. What should be the wheel diameter assuming it is
12 times the diameter of the jet?
a. 1.5 m c. 2.1 m
b. 1.8 m d. 2.8 m