Hydro Power Overview

Energy from moving water, used to generate electricity.

Categorization of hydropower plants by size: Large (over 100 MW), Medium (10-100 MW), Small (under 10 MW), Mini (100 kW - 1 MW), Micro (under 100 kW).

Hydropower plants generating over 100 MW, connected to a large electricity grid.

Small hydropower plant (under 100 kW), typically for remote communities or small industries.

Hydropower plant with a water head (height difference) of 5-20 meters.

Hydropower plant with a water head of 20-1000 meters.

Categorization of hydropower plants based on the height difference in water levels: Low head and High head.

A type of radial thrust turbine with a capacity up to 800 kW, designed for flow rates between 25 to 700 L/s and head heights from 1 to 200 m. Features a rotor with 26-30 slats.

A hydraulic propeller turbine suitable for low heads (0.8 to 5 m). Its main advantage is having electromechanical parts out of water, making inspection and maintenance easier. Ideal for variable flow and head conditions.

An increasingly popular method for small hydroelectric plants, repurposing existing pumps for energy recovery. They are cost-effective due to mass production for other applications.

Repurposed water pumps offer cost-effectiveness and energy recovery. They are mass-produced for industrial use, making them readily available and cheaper than specialized turbines.

Rotating machines powered by fluid flow that convert the fluid's kinetic or potential energy into mechanical energy.

A free-flow turbine that utilizes the potential energy of water, converted to kinetic energy by injectors, to drive a motive wheel with shovels.

A type of turbine used for a wide range of water heads, with a design flow range from 100 L/s to 600 m.

Francis Turbines are more difficult to disassemble and assemble for maintenance, more sensitive to cavitation, experience efficiency changes, and materials can wear down, reducing efficiency.

The formation of vapor bubbles in a liquid due to low pressure, which collapse and cause damage to turbine blades.

Water is directed through injectors and controlled by needles, converting potential energy to kinetic energy, which then hits the shovels of the motive wheel, causing rotation.

Turbines are all driven by some form of fluid flow, which transfers energy to the turbine's rotating mechanism.

Pelton turbines have a better efficiency curve, meaning they convert more of the water's energy into usable mechanical energy.

Its complex design makes it more difficult to disassemble and reassemble for repair or inspection.

The Pelton Turbine operates with free-flow water and relies on direct jet impact, while the Francis Turbine uses a closed flow system and operates under pressure.