Lecture # 7

Introduction to
Hydropower Engineering
Introduction
 Power is the basic necessity for the development of a
country

 Per-capita consumption of electric energy is deemed as

an index of the standard of living in a nation in the
present-day-world.

 Development of large, medium and small scale

industries depend upon electric power generation.

 This necessitates to utilize the present resource of

energy with utmost care and with maximum efficiency.
Introduction

Country Power Production Per Capita

(Million KW) (1992) Consumption (KWH)

USA 335 6230

JAPAN 320 5350

UK 265 3045

INDIA 110 985

Introduction
 Energy Resources:
 Fossil Fuel (oil, gas, and coal etc)
 Wind
 Water in Rivers
 Waves and Tides in Ocean
 Solar Energy
 Atomic/Nuclear Energy

With good planning and management, hydropower is a catalyst for the

sustainable improvement of people’s lives.
Introduction

Power Generation Pattern of the world

Power Sector Installed Capacity of
Pakistan

As of (2004)
Hydropower Potential in Pakistan = 41,000 MW (approx.)
 Power Sector Installed Capacity of
Pakistan

Power Generation Pattern of the Pakistan (2004)

Access of population to electricity in Pakistan = 62%
Classification of Energy Resources
 Renewable Energy: These are sources of energy produced
continuously in nature and will not get exhausted eventually in
future. e.g., Hydel Energy, Solar Energy, Tidal Energy, Geo-thermal
Energy and Biomass.
 Non-Renewable Energy: These are sources will get exhausted
eventually in future. e.g., Energy from Fossil Fuel.

 Conventional Energy: Fossil Fuels, Hydel Power, Nuclear Energy

 Non-Conventional Energy: Solar Energy, Wind Energy, Tidal
Energy, Ocean Thermal Energy, Geothermal Energy and Biomass.

 Commercial Energy: Coal, oil, gas, Hydel Energy, Nuclear

 Non- Commercial Energy: Wood, wastes etc
Classification of Energy Resources
 Based on net yield of energy:
 Primary Energy Source: The energy source which provides a net
source of energy.
 E.g. coal, natural gas, uranium, oil.

 Secondary Energy Source: From this source, the yield of energy is

less than input.
 E.g. Solar, Wind, Tidal, Water Energy.

 Supplementary Energy Source: If the net energy yield provided by

the energy source is zero, it is called supplementary energy source.
 E.g. thermal insulation.
Hydropower (Hydel Power)
P=γQH
Q
Where
P= Hydropower
Q = River discharge
H= Available head
Time
 Hydropower is extracted from the natural potential of usable water
resources.
 If the water is available in the river as above, then for the
production of energy reservoirs are made so as to make availability of
water throughout the year

About one quarter of the world’s power requirement is at present derived in this
way.
How the Hydropower Works
 Hydropower plants
capture the energy of
falling water to
generate electricity. A
turbine converts the
kinetic energy of falling
water into mechanical
energy. Then a
generator converts the
mechanical energy
from the turbine into
electrical energy

With good planning and management, hydropower is a catalyst for the

sustainable improvement of people’s lives.
Essential Elements of Hydropower
Station
 Interception of water

 Conveyance of water

 Power Station

 Safe Disposal of used water

 Transmission of electricity
Hydropower Offers a High Level of Service
supporting better performance of other
technologies
 EFFICIENCY Hydropower shows the:
 Best conversion rate (~90%) due to the direct transformation of hydraulic
forces to electricity
 Most favorable energy payback ratio considering the amount of energy
required to build, maintain and fuel a powerplant compared with the
energy it produces during its normal life span
 FLEXIBILITY: Thanks to the storage of potential electricity in
reservoirs, hydropower:
 Has the capacity to provide base and peak-load
 Is the ideal back-up source for intermittent electricity sources such as
wind and solar
 Optimizes efficiency of less flexible fossil or nuclear generating options
has the capacity to follow demand fluctuations almost instantly
 Offers a quick response to failings in power grids
Hydropower Offers a High Level of Service
supporting better performance of other
technologies
 RELIABILITY: Hydropower is:
 A proven and well-advanced technology based on more than a century
of experience the backbone of an integrated renewable grid
 A clean source of renewable energy with the capacity to make a
significant contribution to the world’s ever-growing need for electricity
Types of Hydropower Development
 Run-of-River Plant (Local Development)
 A weir or barrage is built across the river and the low head is used
to generate power.
 It has very limited storage capacity and can only use water when
available
 Its firm capacity is low, because water supply is not uniform
throughout the year, but it can serve as a base load plant
Types of Hydropower Development
 Diversion Canal Plant
 The flow from impounding water in the river upstream of the barrage
is diverted into a power canal which rejoins the river further
downstream with power station located either next to the intake or
with the canal or at the outlet.
Types of Hydropower Development
 Storage Plant

 The dam structure is separated from the power station by a

considerable distance over which the water is conveyed,
generally by a tunnel and pipeline, so as to achieve medium
or high heads.

 The reservoir storage upstream of the dam increases the firm

capacity of the plant substantially, depending upon the run-off
and power requirements.

 The plant may be used as a base-load and/or peak-load

installation.
Types of Hydropower Development
Types of Hydropower Development
 Pump Storage Plant

 Where the natural annual run-off is insufficient to justify a

conventional hydroelectric installation, and where it is possible
to have reservoirs at the head-and tail water locations, the
water is pumped backed from lower to the head water
reservoir.

 This kind of plant generates energy for peak load, and at off-
peak periods water is pumped back for future use.

 A pumped storage plant is an economical addition to a system

which increase the load factor of other systems and also
provides additional capacity to meet the peak loads.
Types of Hydropower Development
Head Classification of Hydropower
Plants
 Low Head Scheme
 < 50 m
 Medium Head Scheme
 50 to 300 m
 High Head Scheme
 >300 m
Stream Flow Data Essential for the Assessment of
Water Power Potential
 The Following hydrological data are necessary;

 The daily, weekly or monthly flow over a period of

several years, to determine the plant capacity and
estimated output which are dependent on the
average flow of the stream and its distribution
during the year

 Low flows, to assess the primary, firm or

dependable power.
Stream Flow Data Essential for the Assessment of
Water Power Potential
 Stream Data Analysis:
 A typical stream flow hydrograph, including a dry period from which
the frequency of occurrence of a certain flow during the period can
be calculated.
Stream Flow Data Essential for the Assessment of
Water Power Potential
 Flow Duration Curve:
 It is a plot of the stream flow in ascending or descending
order and its frequency of occurrence as a percentage of
time covered by the record.
Stream Flow Data Essential for the Assessment of
Water Power Potential
 Power Duration Curve:

 If the available head and efficiency of the power plant

are known, the flow duration curve may be converted
into power duration curve.

 The power which is available for 95% to 97% of the time

on the reservoir regulated scheme is usually considered
Primary of Firm power.

 All the power in excess of primary power is called

Secondary or Surplus Power.
Stream Flow Data Essential for the Assessment of
Water Power Potential
 Stream Flow Data Essential for the Assessment of
Water Power Potential
 Mass Curve: is the curve of accumulated total inflow against
time.
 Demand Curve: is the curve of accumulated total demand
against time.

Inflow &
Inflow &
Demand
Demand

Time Time
Mass curve is used to estimate storage requirements and useable flow for power
production.
Why Hydropower is Backbone to
Sustainable Energy?
 Hydropower is a renewable source of energy
 Hydropower uses the energy of flowing water, without depleting it,
to produce electricity; therefore, all hydropower projects – small or
large, run-of-river or storage –meet the definition of renewable.
 Hydropower supports the development of other
renewable energies
 Hydropower facilities with reservoirs offer unique operational
flexibility in that they can respond immediately to fluctuating
demand for electricity. Hydropower’s flexibility and storage
capacity make it the most efficient and cost-effective way to
support the deployment of intermittent renewables such as wind
or solar power.
Why Hydropower is Backbone to
Sustainable Energy?
 Hydropower fosters energy security and price stability
 River water is a domestic resource and, unlike fuel or natural gas,
it is not subject to market fluctuations; moreover, hydropower is
the only major renewable source of electricity, and its cost-
effectiveness, efficiency, flexibility and reliability help optimize the
operation of thermal plants.
 Hydropower contributes to freshwater storage
 Hydropower reservoirs collect rainwater, which can then be used
for drinking or irrigation. By storing water, they protect aquifers
from depletion and reduce our vulnerability to floods and
droughts.
Why Hydropower is Backbone to
Sustainable Energy?
 Hydropower improves electricity grid stability and
reliability
 The management of electricity grids depends upon fast,
flexible generation sources to meet peak power demands,
maintain level system voltages and quickly restore service after
a blackout. Electricity generated from hydropower can be
placed on the grid faster than any other energy source.
Hydropower’s ability to go from zero power to maximum output
rapidly and predictably makes it exceptionally good at meeting
changing loads and providing ancillary electrical services that
maintain the balance between electricity supply and demand.
Why Hydropower is Backbone to
Sustainable Energy?
 Hydropower helps fight climate change
 The life cycle of hydropower produces very small amounts of
greenhouse gases (GHGs). By offsetting GHG emissions from
gas, coal and oil fired power plants, hydropower can help slow
global warming. Although only 33% of potential hydro
resources have been developed, hydropower currently avoids
burning 4.4 million barrels of oil-equivalent daily, worldwide.
 Hydropower can reduce pollution
 Hydropower plants produce no air pollutants. Very often, they
replace fossil-fuelled generation, thereby reducing acid rain
and smog. Moreover, hydropower projects do not generate
any toxic by-products.
Why Hydropower is Backbone to
Sustainable Energy?
 Hydropower makes a significant contribution to
development
 Hydropower facilities bring electricity, roads, industry and
commerce to communities, thereby developing the
economy, improving access to health and education, and
enhancing the quality of life. Hydropower is a technology
that has been known and proven for over a century. Its
impacts are well understood and manageable through
mitigation and enhancement measures. It offers vast
potential and is available where development is most
needed.
Why Hydropower is Backbone to
Sustainable Energy?
 Hydropower means clean, affordable power
 With an average life span of 50 to 100 years, hydro-power
projects are long-term investments that can benefit several
generations. They can easily be upgraded to incorporate the
latest technologies and have very low operation and
maintenance costs.
 Hydropower is a key tool for sustainable
development
 Hydropower projects that are developed and operated in an
economically viable, environmentally sound and socially
responsible manner represent sustainable development at its
best, that is, development that meets the needs of the people
today without compromising the ability of future generations to
meet their own needs.
Lecture # 8
Numerical Problems:
Problem # 1:
The avg. monthly flows of a stream in a dry year are as follows:

Month Discharge (m3/sec)

January 117
February 150
March 203
April 117
May 80
June 118
July 82
August 79
September 58
October 45
November 57
December 152
Numerical Problems:
Problem # 1:
It is intended to design a hydroelectric power plant using the following
data:
Net head at plant site = 20 m
overall efficiency of turbine = 90 %
 Plot flow and power duration curves and calculate the firm and
secondary power available from this source if the maximum useable
water is limited to 150 m3/sec.
 it is intended to develop at a firm rate of 15 Mwatt either by
providing a storage or by providing a stand by diesel with no
storage. Determine minimum capacity of reservoir and of the diesel
unit.
 How much flow is available for a particular %age of time.
Numerical Problems:
Problem # 2:
Average annual flows in river indus at a proposed dam site is 120
BCM. The dam is to be built on a varying head from 50 m to 100 m
on the turbines, estimate:
 Water power potential from this proposed hydal power station if
overall efficiency of turbines is 88% and that of generator is 92%.
Find the electrical energy available on the scheme in kWH per year
in one year. The hydrological data suggests that avg. head available
for six months is 50 m, for next three months, 80 m and for rest of
the months is 100 m.