Hydro Power Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary source of hydroenergy?

Moving water (correct)

Geothermal heat

Wind

Solar radiation

Which category does a hydropower plant that produces over 100 MW fit into?

Mini-hydro

Large Hydro (correct)

Medium Hydro

Small Hydro

What is the maximum power capacity for Michel-Banki turbines (MBTs)?

200 kW

800 kW (correct)

400 kW

1000 kW

What is the classification of a hydro power plant that produces up to 10 MW?

Small Hydro Signup and view all the answers

For which head height range is a Kaplan turbine (KT) recommended?

0.8 to ~5 m Signup and view all the answers

What range of water head defines a high head power plant?

20–1000 m Signup and view all the answers

What is a notable feature of the Deriaz turbine (DT)?

It has a runner diameter up to 7000 mm. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following types of turbines is NOT mentioned in the classification of hydropower?

Archimedes screw turbine Signup and view all the answers

What is one advantage of using water pumps as turbines?

They are mass produced for other purposes and cost less. Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic does a Kaplan turbine offer that enhances maintenance safety?

Its electro-mechanical parts are kept out of water. Signup and view all the answers

Micro-hydro systems are typically designed for what purpose?

Providing power for small communities or rural industries Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an application of hydroelectric systems?

Fossil fuel extraction Signup and view all the answers

What type of turbine is driven by free flow and operates by converting potential energy into kinetic energy?

Pelton turbine Signup and view all the answers

Which turbine is characterized by a height range from 3 to 150 m and a design flow of at least 100 L/s?

Francis turbine Signup and view all the answers

Which turbine has advantages such as a better efficiency curve compared to the Francis turbine?

Pelton turbine Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage of Francis turbines when compared to Pelton turbines?

Difficult disassembly for maintenance Signup and view all the answers

What material-related issue is Francis turbines particularly sensitive to?

Cavitation Signup and view all the answers

How do Pelton turbines accelerate the water before it acts on the turbine?

Using injectors to create a jet Signup and view all the answers

Which type of turbine includes designs such as the Kaplan hydraulic turbine?

Reaction turbines Signup and view all the answers

What is a common design format for turbines?

Curved buckets Signup and view all the answers

Which turbine is less efficient in environments prone to cavitation?

Francis turbine Signup and view all the answers

What primary form of energy do turbines convert to mechanical energy?

Fluid energy Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Hydro Power

Hydropower is energy from falling water, a clean, renewable, reliable source for electricity generation.
Waterwheels have historically been used for tasks like grinding grain and irrigation.
Hydropower is a worldwide potential method for electricity generation.
Small and micro hydro are gaining attention, despite environmental concerns.

Classification of Hydropower

Large hydro: over 100 MW, usually feeds into a large electricity grid.
Medium hydro: 10 MW to 100 MW, typically feeds a grid.
Small hydro: up to 10 MW, usually feeds a grid.
Mini-hydro: 100 kW to 1 MW, either stand-alone or grid-connected.
Micro-hydro: up to 100 kW, often provides power to small communities or rural industries.
Two broader categories: low head (5-20m) and high head (20-1000m).

Turbines

Turbines are wheels that rotate due to fluid movement, converting potential or kinetic energy.
Common turbine types include Pelton, Francis, Michel-Banki, Kaplan, and Deriaz.

Pelton Turbines (PTs)

PTs are free-flow turbines, converting water potential energy to kinetic energy through directed water jets onto turbine blades.
They operate under approximate atmospheric pressure.

Francis Turbines (FTs)

FTs are used for heads ranging from 3 to 150 meters and flows of 100-600m³/s.
FTs are sensitive, difficult to assemble/disassemble for maintenance, and tend to have lower efficiency at lower power.

Michel-Banki Turbines (MBTs)

MBTs are radial-thrust turbines, capable of up to 800 kW capacity.
They operate at heads ranging from 1 to 200 m, and flows ranging from 25 to 700L/s.

Kaplan Turbines (KTs)

KTs are propeller turbines used for heads of 0.8-5m.
They are suitable for areas with variable flow conditions and are easier to maintain as their mechanical parts aren't submerged.

Deriaz Turbines (DTs)

DTs, developed in the 1960s, have capacities up to 200 MW.
They handle flows from 1.5 to 250m³/s and are suitable for head ranges of 5-1000 meters.

Water Pumps Working as Turbines

Pumps are increasingly used as turbines in small hydro power plants.
Pump-as-turbines are significantly cheaper to acquire and install.

Closing Points

Hydro power encompasses the working principle, classifications of hydropower, and performance assessment analysis.
Classification of turbines (types) is also a key component.

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Description

Explore the fundamentals of hydropower, a clean and renewable energy source that utilizes the power of falling water. This quiz covers the classification of hydropower systems and different types of turbines used in electricity generation. Test your knowledge of large to micro hydro and their significance in the energy landscape.