A Project Report About Hydraulic Power Plant.

1. A PROJECT REPORT ABOUT
MODEL OF A HYDRAULIC POWER PLANT
Submitted to
West Bengal State Council of Technical Education
Kolkata, West Bengal
In Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirement for the Degree of
DIPLOMA IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
By
SANJAY DUTTAMUKHYA ( D151648781 )
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
K. G. ENGINEERING INSTITUTE
(Approved by AICTE & Affiliated to WBSCTE)
BISHNUPUR * BANKURA
2017-2018

2. K. G. ENGINEERING INSTITUTE
BISHNUPUR, BANKURA
Department of Mechanical Engineering
I hereby forward the project report entitled “WORKING MODEL OF HYDRAULIC
POWER PLANT”, Prepared by SANJAY DUTTAMUKHYA under my guidance and
supervision in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Diploma in
Mechanical Engineering (DME) in the department of Mechanical Engineering of K. G.
Engineering Institute (A state Govt. Polytechnic) affiliated to West Bengal State Council
of Technical & Vocational Education and Skill Development.
_______________________________
Dr. Milan Kumar Mondal
Lecturer & Secretary, Academic Council
Department of Mechanical Engineering
K. G. Engineering Institute,
Bishnupur, Bankura-722122

3. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
K. G. Engineering Institute has given me an incredible education the last three years. It has
stretched me academically and personally. To complete this task of writing this project report
was never easy for me and it would have not been completed without noble contribution of
the people around me. The long association with the people at Mechanical Engineering
Department was the most quality time of my academic life and I have got enough inspiration
for breathing in the future. The dedication, Sincerity, caring I found in all the teachers for the
students, I will probably never find elsewhere. I am very grateful to the people that have been
with me to share this whole experience.
I cannot start without acknowledging Dr. Milan Kumar Mondal. He is my philosopher, guide
and my inspiration. I want to thank my supervisor for his advice, guidance, help, time, and
enthusiasm. I appreciate all that I have learned from him as an advisor, teacher mentor and
especially as friend. There cannot be any match to describe the role they played to complete
this report. He took the pain of introducing the basic subjects, use of computational methods,
writing project report.
I thank my parents, brothers, sisters and their families for their constant support,
encouragement and words of confidence. All the family members and relatives have
responded immediately for my every demand for the sake of this constructive work. Many
times, he has sacrificed my demand because of my preoccupation in the research work. I
gratefully acknowledge their contributions.
The author wishes to express his profound regards and deep sense of gratitude to Dr. M. K.
Mondal, Lecturer, of the department of Mechanical Engineering. Without his valuable
advice, resourceful guidance active supervision it would not have been possible to present
this report in its present shape.
The author is extremely thankful to all teachers and stuff of Mechanical Engineering
Department, K. G. Engineering Institute for providing the necessary help and assistance for
completing the whole task. Lastly, thanks are also due to all others who directly or indirectly
helped the author complete this task.
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering _______________________________________
K. G. Engineering Institute, SANJAY DUTTAMUKHYA
Bishnupur, Bankura
West Bengal, India

4. CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE NO.
ABSTRACT 1
1. INTRODUCTION 2
2. TERMS RELATED TO HYDRAULIC POWER PLANT 3-4
3. ELEMENTS/COMPONENTS OF HYDRAULIC POWER PLANT 5-9
3.1. RESERVOIR 5
3.2. DAM & INTAKE HOUSE 5
3.3. PENSTOCK 6
3.4. PRESSURE TUNNEL 6
3.5. SURGE TANK 6
3.6. TURBINE 6-8
3.7. POWER HOUSE 8
3.8. GENERATOR 8
3.9. GOVERNOR 9
4. CLASSIFICATION OF HYDRAULIC POWER PLANT 10-12
4.1. ACCORDING TO QUANTITY OF WATER 10
4.2. ACCORDING TO AVAILABILITY OF HEAD OF WATER 11
4.3. ACCORDING TO LOAD CHARECTERESTICS 11
4.4. ACCORDING TO PLANT CAPACITY 12
4.5. ACCORDING TO TYPE OF FALL 12
5. SITE SELECTION CRITERIA FOR HYDRAULIC POWER PLANT 13-14
6. WORKING PRINCIPLE OF HYDRAULIC POWER PLANT 15
7. PURPOSE, ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF HYDRAULIC 16
POWERPLANT

5. 8. MAJOR HYDRO POWER STATIONS IN INDIA 17-19
9. CONCLUSION 20
10. REFERENCES 21

6. Page | 1
ABSTRACT
Hydraulic power plants are used to convert the fluid energy into mechanical energy of the
shaft of the turbine and then from the mechanical energy of the shaft to electric energy by
means of an electric generator.
In this project, we use gravitational force of fluid water to run the turbine, which is coupled
with electric generator to produce electricity. This power plant plays an important role to
protect our fossil fuel which is limited, because the generated electricity in hydro power
station is by the use of water which is renewable source of energy and available in lots of
amount without any cost. The big advantage of hydro power is the water which is the main
stuff to produce electricity in hydraulic power plant is free, and even it not contains any type
of pollution and after generated electricity the price of electricity is average not too much
high.
Hydropower is the cheapest way to generate electricity today. That is because once a dam
has been built and the equipment installed, the energy source flowing water is free. It is a
clean fuel source that is renewable by rainfall.

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1. INTRODUCTION
Hydraulic power is electricity generated using the energy of moving water. Rain or melted
snow, usually originating in hills and mountains, create streams and rivers that eventually run
to the ocean. The energy of that moving water can be substantial, as anyone who has been
whitewater rafting knows. This energy has been exploited for centuries. Farmers since the
ancient Greeks have used water wheels to grind wheat into flour. Placed in a river, a water
wheel picks up flowing water in buckets located around the wheel. The kinetic energy of the
flowing river turns the wheel and is converted into mechanical energy that runs the mill.
In the late 19th century, Hydraulic power became a source for generating electricity. The first
Hydraulic electric power plant was built at Niagara Falls in 1879. In 1881, street lamps in the
city of Niagara Falls were powered by Hydraulic power. In 1882 the world’s first Hydraulic
power plant began operating in the United States in Appleton, Wisconsin.
A typical Hydraulic plant is a system with three parts: an electric plant where the electricity is
produced; a dam that can be opened or closed to control water flow; and a reservoir where
water can be stored. The water behind the dam flows through an intake and pushes against
blades in a turbine, causing them to turn. The turbine spins a generator to produce electricity.
The amount of electricity that can be generated depends on how far the water drops and how
much water moves through the system. The electricity can be transported over long-distance
electric lines to homes, factories, and businesses.
Hydraulic power provides almost one-fifth of the world's electricity. China, Canada, Brazil, the
United States, and Russia were the five largest producers of Hydraulic power in 2004. One of
the world's largest Hydraulic plants is at Three Gorges on China's Yangtze River. The reservoir
for this facility started filling in 2003, but the plant is not expected to be fully operational until
2009. The dam is 1.4 miles (2.3 kilometers) wide and 607 feet (185 meters) high. The biggest
Hydraulic plant in the United States is located at the Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River
in northern Washington. More than 70 percent of the electricity made in Washington State is
produced by Hydroelectric facilities.

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2. TERMS RELATED TO HYDRAULIC POWER PLANT
FRL (FULL RESERVOIR LEVEL)
FRL is the Upper level of the reservoir (selected based on techno-economic& submergence
considerations)
MDDL (MINIMUM DRAWDOWN LEVEL)
Lowest level up to which the reservoir level could be drawn down to withdraw waters for
energy generation (selected from considerations of silt & turbine operational limits) is called
as minimum drawdown level.
GROSS STORAGE
Total storage capacity of the reservoir is termed as gross storage.
DEAD STORAGE
Reservoir storage, which cannot be used for generation and is left for silt deposition (below
MDDL), is called as dead reservoir.
LIVE STORAGE
It is the storage in the reservoir, which is available for power generation. (between FRL &
MDDL)
FIRM POWER
Firm power is continuous power output in the entire period of hydrological data at 90%
dependability.
FIRM ENERGY
Energy generated corresponding to firm power is called as firm energy.
PEAK ENERGY
Peak energy is electric energy supplied during periods of relatively high system demands.
OFF-PEAK ENERGY
Off peak, energy is electric energy supplied during periods of relatively low system demands.
LOAD FACTOR
Load factor is the ratio of the average load over a designated period to the peak-load
occurring in that period.
DESIGN HEAD
The head at which the turbine will operate to give the best overall efficiency under various
operating conditions is called as design head.

9. Page | 4
GROSS HEAD
It is the difference of elevations between water surfaces of the fore bay/ dam and tailrace
under specified conditions.
NET HEAD
The gross head chargeable to the turbine less all hydraulic losses in water conductor system
is termed as net head.

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3. ELEMENTS/COMPONENT OF HYDRAULIC POWER PLANT
FIGURE: Elements of hydraulic power plant
3.1 RESERVOIR
Whole of the water available from the catchment area is collected in a reservoir behind the
dam. The purpose of the storing of water in the reservoir is to get a uniform power output
throughout the year. A reservoir can be either natural or artificial. A natural reservoir is a lake
in high mountains and an artificial reservoir is made by constructing a dam across the river.
3.2 DAM AND INTAKE HOUSE
A dam is built across a river for two functions: to impound the river water for storage and to
create the head of water. Dams may be classified according to their structural materials such
as: Timber, steel, earth, rock filled and masonry. Timber and steel are used for dams of height
6 m to 12 m only. Earth dams are built for larger heights, up to about 100 m. To protect the
dam from the wave erosion, a protecting coat of rock, concrete or planking must be laid at
the water line. The other exposed surfaces should be covered with grass or vegetation to
protect the dam from rainfall erosion. Beas dam at Pong is a 126.5 m high earth core-gravel
shell dam in earth dams, the base is quite large as compared to the height. Such dams are
quite suitable for a pervious foundation because the wide base makes a long seepage path.
The earth dams have got the following advantages.

11. Page | 6
(a) Suitable for relatively pervious foundation.
(b) Usually less costly than a masonry dam.
(c) If protected from erosion, this type of dam is the most permanent type of construction.
(d) It fits best in natural surroundings.
The following are the disadvantages of earth dams:
(a) Greater seepage loss than other dams.
(b) The earth dam is not suitable for a spillway, therefore, a supplementary spillway is
required.
(c) Danger of possible destruction or serious damage from erosion by water either seeping
through it or overflowing the dam.
3.3 PENSTOCK
The penstock is the long pipe or the shaft that carries the water flowing from the reservoir
towards the power generation unit, comprised of the turbines and generator. The water in
the penstock possesses kinetic energy due to its motion and potential energy due to its height.
The total amount of power generated in the hydroelectric power plant depends on the height
of the water reservoir and the amount of water flowing through the penstock. The amount of
water flowing through the penstock is controlled by the control gates.
3.4 PRESSURE TUNNEL
It is a passage that carries water from the reservoir to the surge tank.
3.5 SURGE TANK
It is a safety device. Whenever the electrical load on the generator drops down suddenly, the
governor partially closes the gates which admits water flow to the turbine. Due to this sudden
decrease in the rate of water flow to the turbine, there will be sudden increase of pressure in
the penstock. This phenomenon results in hammering action called water hammer in the
penstock. When turbine gates are suddenly opened to produce more power, there is a sudden
rush of water through penstock and it might cause a vacuum in water flow system which
might collapse penstock. Penstock withstands positive hammer and vacuum effects. Surge
tank acts as a temporary reservoir. It helps in stabilizing the velocity and pressure in penstock
and thereby saves penstock from getting damaged. To serve as supply tank to the turbine in
case of increased load conditions, and storage tank in case of low load conditions.
3.6 TURBINE
Water flowing from the penstock is allowed to enter the power generation unit, which houses
the turbine and the generator. When water falls on the blades of the turbine the kinetic and
potential energy of water is converted into the rotational motion of the blades of the turbine.
The rotating blades causes the shaft of the turbine to also rotate. The turbine shaft is enclosed
inside the generator. The hydro project is site specific as such the use of standard or off the
shelf unit may not be possible. The selection of type of turbine is made on the basis of “Head”.
The broad classification is given below.
1. Low head (upto60 m) —Kaplan Turbine
2. Medium head(30to600m)—Francis Turbine
3. High head (more than300m) —Pelton Wheel

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CLASSIFICATION OF HYDRAULIC TURBINE
A. BASED ON FLOW PATH
Water can pass through the Hydraulic Turbines in different flow paths. Based on the flow
path of the liquid Hydraulic Turbines can be categorized into three types.
1. Axial Flow Hydraulic Turbines
This category of Hydraulic Turbines has the flow path of the liquid mainly parallel to the
axis of rotation. Kaplan Turbines has liquid flow mainly in axial direction.
2. Radial Flow Hydraulic Turbines
Such Hydraulic Turbines has the liquid flowing mainly in a plane perpendicular to the axis
of rotation.
3. Mixed Flow Hydraulic Turbines
For most of the Hydraulic Turbines used, there is a significant component of both axial
and radial flows. Such types of Hydraulic Turbines are called as Mixed Flow Turbines.
Francis Turbine is an example of mixed flow type, in Francis Turbine water enters in radial
direction and exits in axial direction.
B. BASED ON PRESSURE CHANGE
one more important criterion for classification of Hydraulic Turbines is whether the
pressure of liquid changes or not while it flows through the rotor of the Hydraulic
Turbines. Based on the pressure change Hydraulic Turbines can be classified as of two
types.
1. Impulse Turbine
The pressure of liquid does not change while flowing through the rotor of the machine. In
Impulse Turbines pressure change occur only in the nozzles of the machine. One such
example of impulse turbine is Pelton Wheel.
2. Reaction Turbine
The pressure of liquid changes while it flows through the rotor of the machine. The change
in fluid velocity and reduction in its pressure causes a reaction on the turbine blades; this
is where from the name Reaction Turbine may have been derived. Francis and Kaplan
Turbines fall in the category of Reaction Turbines.
IN OUR PROJECT WORK, WE USE THE PELTON WHEEL OR IMPULSE TURBINE.
PELTON WHEEL
Pelton wheel is impulse type water turbine, which extracts energy from impulse of moving
water when the water strikes the Pelton cup at very high speed; it induces an impulsive force,
which makes the turbine rotate. In short the Pelton wheel transforms the kinetic energy of
water jet into rotational energy.

13. Page | 8
FIGURE: Pelton Wheel
3.7 POWER HOUSE
A powerhouse usually contains following components:
A. Hydraulic turbines
B. Electric generators
C. Governors
D. Gate valves
E. Relief valves
F. Water circulation pumps
G. Air ducts
H. Switch board and instruments
I. Storage batteries
J. Cranes
3.8 GENERATOR
Generator is a device, which is used to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy.
Main Generator components include:
 Stator
 Rotor
 Upper Bracket
 Lower Bracket
 Thrust Bearing & Guide Bearings
 Slip Ring & Brush Assembly
 Air Coolers

14. Page | 9
 Brakes & Jacks
 Stator Heaters
3.9 GOVERNOR
The hydraulic turbine governor is equipment for controlling the guide vanes by detecting
turbine speed and its guide vane opening in order to keep the turbine speed stable or to
regulate its output Governors are provided with the following features:
1. Quick Response and Stable Control
2. Guide Vane Opening Detection with High Accuracy
3. Speed Detection with High Accuracy
4. High Reliability
5. Easy Maintenance

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4. CLASSIFICATION OF HYDRAULIC POWER PLANT
The classification of hydroelectric power plant depends on the following factors:
4.1. ACCORDING TO QUANTITY OF WATER
i. Run of river plant
ii. Storage plant.
iii. Pumped storage plants.
iv. Tidal plants
4.2. ACCORDING TO AVAILABILITY OF HEAD OF WATER
i. Low head plant
ii. Medium head plant
iii. High head plants
4.3. ACCORDING TO LOAD CHARACTERISTICS
i. Base load plants
ii. Peak load plants
4.4. ACCORDING TO PLANT CAPACITY
i. Micro hydel plants
ii. Medium capacity plants
iii. High capacity plants
iv. Super hydro plants
4.5. ACCORDING TO TYPE OF FALL
i. Concentrated fall plants
ii. Divided fall plants
4.1. ACCORDING TO QUANTITY OF WATER
i. Run of river plant.
As the name implies, the project is planned as run of the river. Water is diverted from the
river, routed through the water conductor system and finally water after generation of power
is thrown back to the river at a lower level on downstream. It takes advantage of the drop in
elevation that occurs over a distance in the river and does not involve water storage. Power
generation fluctuates with the river flow and the firm power is considerably low, as it depends
on the minimum mean discharge. Canal power projects are also run-of-river projects.
ii. Storage plant.
Storage projects provide storage or pondage and thereby, evens out stream flow fluctuations
and enhances the water head. It increases firm power and total power generation by

16. Page | 11
regulating the flow. Providing storage is complicated and costly as it involves construction of
dam.
iii. Pumped storage plants.
Pump storage projects involve reversible turbines, which can generate power from water of
upper reservoir during peak hours and pump back water from lower reservoir to the upper
reservoir during off peak hours. These projects are advantageous in power system of mix type,
which have thermal and nuclear power houses in addition to hydro power projects. Pump
storage project utilizes the off peak surplus power of the grid in lifting the water from lower
reservoir to higher reservoir and generates power during peak hours thus flattening the load
curve.
iv. Tidal plants.
A tidal power plant makes use of the daily rise and fall of ocean water due to tides; such
sources are highly predictable, and if conditions permit construction of reservoirs, can also be
dispatchble to generate power during high demand periods. Less common types of hydro
schemes use water's kinetic energy or undammed sources such as undershot waterwheels.
Tidal power is extracted from the Earth's oceanic tides; tidal forces are periodic variations in
gravitational attraction exerted by celestial bodies. These forces create corresponding
motions or currents in the world's oceans. The magnitude and character of this motion
reflects the changing positions of the Moon and Sun relative to the Earth, the effects of Earth's
rotation, and local geography of the sea floor and coastlines.
4.2. ACCORDING TO AVAILABILITY OF HEAD OF WATER
i. Low head plant
They consist of dam across the river. A sideway stream diverges from the river at the dam,
powerhouse is constructed over the stream, which further joins the river. Vertical shaft
Francis or Kaplan turbine are used commonly.
ii. Medium head plant.
 It is used normally when Head: 30 to 100m
 Uses Francis Turbine
 Fore bay provided at the beginning of penstock at as reservoir.
 Water is carried in open canals from main reservoir to fore bay then to powerhouse
through penstock.
iii. High head plants:
 Head: 100m to 2000m
 Water is stored in the lake over the mountain during high rainy season or
 When snow melts.
 Water should be available throughout the year.
 Pelton Wheel turbine is used.
4.3. ACCORDING TO LOAD CHARACTERISTICS
i. Base load plants
They cater to the base load of the system; they need to supply constant power when
connected to the grid.
ii. Peak load plants
Some of the plants supply average load but also some peak load. Other peak load plants are

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required to work only during peak load hours.
4.4. ACCORDING TO PLANT CAPACITY
i. Micro hydel plants
A micro hydel plant has the capacity less than 5 MW.
ii. Medium capacity plants
A medium capacity plant has the capacity between 5MW and 100 MW.
iii. High capacity plants
A plant having a capacity between 101 MW and 1000 MW is usually classified as a high
capacity plant.
iv. Super hydro plants
A super hydro plant has a capacity greater than 1000 MW.
4.5. ACCORDING TO TYPE OF FALL
i. Concentrated fall plants
In this type of plants, the power house is located close to the dam or the weir so as to utilize
the entire created head as a concentrated fall.
ii. Divided fall plants
In this type of plants, the power house is located at a suitable distance away from the dam on
the downstream to utilize a steep fall available in the ground surface for increasing the
operating head.

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5. SITE SELECTION CRITERIA FOR A HYDRAULIC POWER PLANT
While selecting a suitable site, if a good system of natural storage lakes at high altitudes and
with large catchment areas can be located, the plant will be comparatively economical.
Anyhow the essential characteristics of a good site are: large catchment areas, high average
rainfall and a favorable place for constructing the storage or reservoir. For this purpose, the
geological, geographical and meteorological conditions of a site need careful investigation.
The following factors should be given careful consideration while selecting a site for a
hydroelectric power plant
1. WATER AVAILABLE
To know the available energy from a given stream or river, the discharge flowing and its
variation with time over a number of years must be known. Preferably, the estimates of the
average quantity of water available should be prepared on the basis of actual measurements
of stream or river flow. The recorded observation should be taken over a number of years to
know within reasonable, limits the maximum and minimum variations from the average
discharge. the river flow data should be based on daily, weekly, monthly and yearly flow ever
a number of years. Then the curves or graphs can be plotted between tile river flow and time.
These are known as hygrographs and flow duration curves. The plant capacity and the
estimated output as well as the need for storage will be governed by the average flow. The
primary or dependable power which is available at all times when energy is needed will
depend upon the minimum flow. Such conditions may also fix the capacity of the standby
plant. The, maximum of flood flow governs the size of the headwords and dam to be built
with adequate spillway.
2. WATER-STORAGE
As already discussed, the output of a hydropower plant is not uniform due to wide variations
of rain fall. To have a uniform power output, a water storage is needed so that excess flow at
certain times may be stored to make it available at the times of low flow. To select the site of
the dam; careful study should be made of the geology and topography of the catchment area
to see if the natural foundations could be found and put to the best use.
3. HEAD OF WATER
The level of water in the reservoir for a proposed plant should always be within limits
throughout the year. 4. Distance from Load Center. Most of the time the electric power
generated in a hydro-electric power plant has to be used some considerable distance from
the site of plant. For this reason, to be economical on transmission of electric power, the
routes and the distances should be carefully considered since the cost of erection of
transmission lines and their maintenance will depend upon the route selected.

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4. WATER POLLUTION
Polluted water may cause excessive corrosion and damage to metallic structure. This may
make the operation of the plant un reliable and un economical so it is necessary to sea the
water is of good quality.
5. SEDIMENTATION
The capacity of storage reserve wire is reduced dew to the gradual deposition of snit may
cause damage to turbine plate.
6. ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECT
Hydro project submerges use areas and many villages the environmental effect are also
importation. The site should ensure safe soundings, avoid health hazard and presser
important cultural and storage aspect of the area.
7. ACCESS TO SITE
It is always a desirable factor to have a good access to the site of the plant. This factor is very
important if the electric power generated is to be utilized at or near the plant site. The
transport facilities must also be given due consideration.3. Geological investigation
It is need to see that the foundation roof from the demand and other structure is stable and
strong enough to with stand water thrust and other stress.

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6. WORKING PRINCIPLE OF HYDRAULIC POWER PLANT
Following are the working steps of a hydraulic power plant
i. Initially the water of the river is in Catchments Area.
ii. From catchments area the water flows to the dam.
iii. At the dam the water gets accumulated. Thus the potential energy of the water increases
due to the height of the dam.
iv. When the gates of the dam are opened then the water moves with high Kinetic Energy
into the penstock.
v. Through the penstock water goes to the turbine house.
vi. Since the penstock makes water to flow from high altitude to low altitude, Thus the
Kinetic Energy of the water is again raised.
vii. In the turbine house the pressure of the water is controlled by the controlling valves
as per the requirements.
viii. The controlled pressurized water is fed to the turbine.
ix. Due to the pressure of the water the light weight turbine rotates.
x. Due to the high speed rotation of the turbine the shaft connected between the turbine and
the generator rotates.
xi. Due to the rotation of generator the ac current is produced.
xii. This current is supplied to the powerhouse.
xiii. From powerhouse it is supplied for the commercial purposes.

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7. HYDRO PROJECTS ARE DEVELOPED FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES
1. To control the floods in the rivers.
2. Generation of power.
3. Storage of irrigation water.
4. Storage of the drinking water supply.
7. ADVANTAGES OF HYDROPOWER
1. Water source is perennially available. No fuel is required to be burnt to generate
electricity
2. The running cost of hydropower installations are very low as compared to thermal or
nuclear power stations.
3. There is no problem with regards to the disposal of ash as in a thermal station.
4. The hydraulic power plant can be switched on and off in a very short time.
5. The hydraulic power plant is relatively simple in concept and self-contained in
operation.
6. The plant is highly reliable and its maintenance and operation charges are very low.
7. The plant can be run up and synchronized in a few minutes.
8. The load can be varied quickly and the rapidly changing load de-mands can be met
without any difficulty.
9. The plant has no stand by losses.
10. The efficiency of the plant does not change with age.
11. The cost of generation of electricity varies little with the passage of time.
7. DISADVANTAGES OF HYDROPOWER
1. Loss of large land due to reservoir.
2. Hydropower may become more expensive in the future. Licensing and assessing dams
is a long and expensive process.
3. The initial cost of the power plant is very high.
4. Power generation by hydro power plant is only dependent on natural phenomenon of
rain. Therefore, at the time of drought or summer session the Hydro Power Plant will
not work.
5. It can be generated only in areas with heavy rainfall and sufficient supply of water.
6. Hydel power generation stations are to be located in hilly mountainous terrains where
waterfalls as well as ideal sites for dams are located. In a region/country without hills
hydel power generation is not possible.
7. Building a dam affects the environment and wildlife of adjoining areas. Nearby low-
lying areas are always under the threat of floods.

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8. MAJOR HYDRO POWER STATIONS IN INDIA
BELOW IS A LIST OF THE MAJOR HYDRO POWER PLANTS IN INDIA
Name Operator Location Configuration Important Facts
Tehri Dam (3
Stages)
THDC Limited,
Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand 2400 MW
Tehri Dam Hydro Electric
project is the highest Hydal
project in India
commissioned in 2006. Its
construction started in
1978 with the technical
collaboration from the
USSR.
Koyna
Hydroelectric
Project (4
Stages)
MAHAGENCO,
Maharashtra
State Power
Generation Co
Ltd.
Maharashtra 1960 MW
The Koyna Hydroelectric
project is the largest
completed Hydal power
project in India. The dam is
constructed across Koyna
river in Maharashtra.
Srisailam APGENCO
Andhra
Pradesh
1670 MW
Srisailam Dam is
constructed on the Krishna
River in the border districts
between Andhra Pradesh
and Telangana districts
Kurnool and Mahbubnagar
districts respectively. It is
the second largest working
hydroelectric power project
in India.
Nathpa Jhakri
(6 Turbinesx25
MW)
Satluj Jal Vidyut
Nigam
Himachal
Pradesh
1500 MW
The Nathpa Jhakri dam is
concrete gravity dam
constructed across Satluj
River in Himachal Pradesh.
Sardar
Sarovar Dam,
Sardar Sarovar
Narmada Nigam
Ltd
Navagam,
Gujarat
1450 MW
The Sardar Sarovar Dam is
the largest dam of
Narmada Valley Project, is
a concrete gravity dam on
the Narmada river near
Navagam in Gujarat.
Bhakra Nangal
Dam (Gobind
Sagar)
Bhakra Beas
Management
Board
Sutlej River,
Bilaspur -
Himachal
Pradesh
1325 MW
Bhakra Dam is a concrete
gravity dam built across
Sutlej River at Bhakra
village in Bilaspur District of
Himachal Pradesh. The
power generated here is
shared between Himachal
Pradesh and Punjab and
most of the outflow water is

23. Page | 18
Name Operator Location Configuration Important Facts
used by Punjab and
Haryana for irrigation.
Chamera I NHPC Limited
Himachal
Pradesh
1071 MW
Chamera Dam is a
hydroelectric project on
river Ravi, which is located
near Dalhousie town in
Chamba district of
Himachal Pradesh.
Sharavathi
Project
Karnataka Power
Corporation
Limited
Karnataka 1035 MW
Sharavathi Dam, officially
known as the
Linganamakki Reservoir, is
built across Sharavathi
river, about 6 kilometers
away from Jog Falls.
Indira Sagar
Dam,
Narmada River
Narmada Valley
Development
Authority
Madhya
Pradesh
1000 MW
The Indirasagar Dam is a
multipurpose project of
Madhya Pradesh on the
Marmada river at
Narmadanagar, Khandwa
district of Madhya Pradesh.
Karcham
Wangtoo
Hydroelectric
Plant
Jaypee Group
Himachal
Pradesh
1000 MW
The Karcham Wangtoo
Hydroelectric Plant is a
1200 MW run of the river
power station on the Sutlej
river in Kinnaur district of
Himachal Pradesh.
Dehar
(Pandoh)
Power Project
Bhakra Beas
Management
Board
Himachal
Pradesh
990 MW
The Pandoh Dam is built
across Beas river in Mandi
district of Himachal
Pradesh. It was
commissioned in 1977 for
the primary purpose of
hydroelectric power
generation.
Nagarjuna
Sagar Dam
Guntur
Andhra Pradesh
Power
Generation
Corporation
Limited
Andhra
Pradesh
960 MW
Nagarjuna Sagar Dam
Reservoir is created by NJ
Sagar dam built across
Krishna river, spread in the
Nalgonda district of
Telangana and Guntur
district of Andhra Pradesh
states. The dam was
commissioned in 1967.
Purulia Pass
West Bengal
Electricity
Distribution
Company
West bengal 900 MW
Purulia Pumped Storage
Hydroelectric Power Plant
of West Bengal State
Electric Distribution
Company Limited is a
project that can generate
up to 900 MW power by

24. Page | 19
Name Operator Location Configuration Important Facts
discharging stored water
from Upper Dam to Lower
Dam through reversible
pump turbine generator.
Idukki
Kerala State
Electricity Board
Kerala 780 MW
Idukki Dam is built across
Periyar River in Idukki
district of Kerala.
Commissioned in 1976 and
dedicated to nation by then
Prime Minister Smt.Indira
Gandi, It is the largest
source of electricity in the
state
Salal I & II NHPC Limited
Jammu &
Kashmir
690 MW
Salal Hydroelectric Power
Station Stage-I and Stage-
II is constructed on Chenab
river in Jammu and
Kashmir.
Upper
Indravati
Odisha Hydro
Power
Corporation
Orissa 600 MW
Upper Indravati Dam is a
gravity dam on Indravati
river with installed capacity
of 600 MW.
Ranjit Sagar
Dam
Punjab State
Power
Corporation
Limited
Punjab 600 MW
Ranjit Sagar Dam, also
known as Thein Dam, is
part of hydroelectric cum
irrigation purpose dam
constructed by the govt of
Punjab on the Ravi River in
Punjab.
Omkareshwar
Narmada
Hydroelectric
Development
Corporation
Madhya
Pradesh
520MW
Omkareshwar Dam is a
gravity dam on Narmada
river in Khandwa district of
Madhya Pradesh. Its
hydroelectric power station
has an installed capacity of
520 MW.
Belimela Dam
Odisha Hydro
Power
Corporation
Orissa 510 MW
The Belimela Reservoir is
constructed in Malkangiri
district of Odisha on the
river Sileru, a tributary of
Godavari river. Belimela is
a joint project of Andhra
Pradesh and Odisha
governments.

25. Page | 20
9. CONCLUSION
As we all know that the use of fossil fuel is very limited. So to get our required energy,
hydraulic energy is a very good alternative. In hydraulic power plant, we can generate
electricity by the use of water force and which is also not very much costly.
In order to achieve a growth rate of 7-8 % as envisaged in National policy of India, it is also
required to tap all the small Hydro Power potential of the country. Hydro Power Project
sector, especially in view of the fact that Large Hydro power projects involve huge capital
investment and long gestation period which private partners do not afford to bear. The
utilization of small Hydro Power Potential is especially required in all states where the utilized
potential is very low like in MP and therefore optimum utilization of the same may set up an
stepping up stone for achieving self-sufficiency in power sector in country.

26. Page | 21
10. REFERENCES
1. Maps of India
2. Wikipedia
3. Google Images
4. Indian Energy Portal
5. International Energy Association Data
6. http://energy.gov/
7. http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-
warming/hydropowerprofile/
8. http://www.hydropower.org/
9. WATER RESOURCES ENGINEERING by Dr. K.R. Arora published by Standard Publishers
Distributors.