Hydro power or hydroelectricity refers to the conversion of energy from flowing water into electricity. It is considered a renewable energy source because the water cycle is constantly renewed by the sun.

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Renewable Energy and Green Technology
Name: Souvik Roy
B.Sc. Agriculture Student
Submitted by
Submitted to
Dr. Shankha Koley, Assistant Professor
The Neotia University

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Hydropower or hydroelectricity refers to the conversion of energy from
flowing water into electricity. It is considered a renewable energy source because the water
cycle is constantly renewed by the sun.
“Hydroelectric power, also called hydropower, electricity produced from generators driven by
turbines that convert the potential energy of falling or fast-flowing water into mechanical
energy.”
Jamsetji Tata planned for the Bombay-area hydroelectric power plants that became the Tata
Power company in 1906.
Present Status of Each Sector of India
India is the 5th globally for installed hydroelectric power capacity.
The hydro-electric power plants at Darjeeling and Shivanasamudram were established in
1898 and 1902, respectively. They were among the
first in Asia and India has been a dominant
player in global hydroelectric power
development. India also imports surplus
hydroelectric power from Bhutan.
As of 31 March 2020, India's installed
utility-scale hydroelectric capacity was 46,000
MW, or 12.3% of its total utility power
generation capacity. In the fiscal year 2019–20,
the total hydroelectric power generated in
India was 156 TWh (excluding small hydro) with
an average capacity factor of 38.71%.
According to media reports, the government is looking at a policy push to resurrect the
languishing hydro power sector. The Ministry of Power is working on a detailed policy for
reviving the hydro-energy sector, which is sinking into stalled projects. Officials said this
would cover projects of the private sector and
those of state-owned NHPC.
The policy aims to provide Rs 16,709
crore support to revive 40 stalled hydel power
projects which can add 11,639 (MW) capacity.
Further, the government is also looking at financial
incentives. In addition, interest subvention would
be supported with central funding for at least half
the interest payment while (More of) Tax
depreciation would help bring private sector
interest.

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The main shift in the policy will be for larger projects to have the incentives given to
smaller hydroelectric plants smaller than 25 MW. The difference between small and big
hydropower plants would vanish after the
policy will be cleared. Smaller hydroelectric
power stations are currently categorized as
renewable energy and are provided with
various incentives.
The bigger plants, which are stuck, will
now be entitled to these benefits as the policy
also stipulates the Hydro Purchase Obligation
for hydro projects with a capacity of over 25
MW.
The policy requires the government to
provide interest subsidies of 4% for all hydro energy projects during construction up to 7
years and 3 years following commencement of business operations. The policy also requires
the Power Ministry to engage bankers and
lending institutions to amend the terms of loan
for hydropower projects.
Reviving stuck projects, which have
already been delayed and have cost overruns,
would result in generation of high-cost power.
The policy proposes to impose a coal cess which
will help capitalise the Hydro Power Fund
under the Power Ministry for providing funds to
the projects under the policy.
Application of Hydropower in Agriculture
Historically, one of the first uses of hydro power was for mechanical milling, such as grinding
grains.
Hydroelectric power comes from the natural flow of
water. The energy is produced by the fall of water
turning the blades of a turbine. The turbine is connected
to a generator that converts the energy into electricity.
The amount of electricity a system can produce depends
on the quantity of water passing through a turbine (the
volume of water flow) and the height from which the
water ‘falls’ (head). The greater the flow and the head,
the more electricity produced.
Hydropower is a clean, domestic, and
renewable source of energy. It provides inexpensive
electricity and produces no pollution. Unlike fossil fuels,
hydropower does not destroy water during the

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production of electricity. Hydropower is the only renewable source of energy that can replace
fossil fuels’ electricity production while satisfying growing energy needs.
Hydroelectric systems vary in size and application. Micro-hydroelectric plants are
the smallest types of hydroelectric systems. They can generate between 1 kW and 1 MW of
power and are ideal for powering smaller services such as processing machines, small farms,
and communities. Large hydroelectric systems can produce large amounts of electricity. These
systems can be used to power large
communities and cities.
Water use for irrigation
Agriculture is by far the largest water use at
global level. Irrigation of agricultural lands
accounted for 70% of the water used
worldwide. In several developing countries,
irrigation represents up to 95% of all water
uses, and plays a major role in food
production and food security. Future
agricultural development strategies of most
of these countries depend on the possibility
to maintain, improve and expand irrigated
agriculture.
On the other hand, the increasing pressure on water resources by agriculture faces
competition from other water use sectors and represents a threat to the environment.
Water is a resource that may create tensions among countries down and upstream. Irrigated
agriculture is driving much of the competition since it accounts for 70-90% of water use in
may of these regions.
Water used for agriculture comes from
natural or other alternative sources.
Natural sources include rainwater and
surface water (lakes and rivers). These
resources must be used in a
sustainable way.
Rain water resources rely on the
atmospheric conditions of the area.
Surface water is a limited resource and
normally requires the construction of
dams and reservoirs with a significant
environmental impact.
Alternative sources of irrigation water
are the reuse of municipal wastewater and drainage water.

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However, the use of recycled water for irrigation may have some adverse impacts on the
public health and the environment. This will depend on the recycled water application, soil
characteristics, climate conditions and agronomic practises. Therefore, it is important that all
these factors are taken into account in the management of recycled water.
Current Application of Hydropower in Agriculture
Hydroelectric Energy Recovery Technology that could save 12% of the energy used in
pressurized irrigation.
As well as requiring a huge amount of water, irrigation agriculture involves the use of a
considerable amount of energy, which negatively impacts the environment and poses a heavy
financial burden for the agricultural sector. A study by the Hydraulics and Irrigation research
group at the University of Cordoba and Trinity College Dublin reports that recovery of
energy from water distribution networks for irrigation could lead to a 12.8% annual saving of
energy. The research group
performed 177 observations of 18
irrigation networks and analysed
the distinct variables such as the
crop water requirements, the
irrigated surface area, topographic
slope, rainfall, and hydraulic
configuration of the distribution
system. This technology could be a
crucial financial relief for water
user associations because, as per
the data obtained from the
research group, the cost of energy
forms 40% of the total cost of
water on an average. Besides saving energy, this system could offer a competing benefit as it
decreases the carbon footprint of the crops, which is valued highly by consumers. Still, as
researcher Juan Antonio Rodríguez points out, the main advantage of the technology is that
“energy for irrigation could be obtained in places where there is no electricity available,” and in
locations where diesel generators are predominantly used for energy supply. However, this
new irrigation system, which can be repaid in 5 or 6 years as a result of energy savings
(quicker than conventional turbines), has a few drawbacks. The pumps that function as
turbines and use excess water pressure to produce energy, called PATs (or pump as turbines),
“are efficient within a fairly limited range of flow levels, so the fluctuations common in irrigation
networks could lower their performance,” though “this issue could be sorted out by means of
hydraulic regulation elements that would make a PAT work near its optimal performance point,”
noted Professor Juan Antonio Rodríguez.
The project forms part of the “Interreg Atlantic Area” program and visualizes
installation of an industrial water distribution network pilot plant in Portugal, another one for
provision to urban regions in France, and the third one for irrigation networks installed in a
water users association in the town of Palma del Río (in the province of Cordoba, Spain), that
started its functions in April 2019 and has helped to

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permanently avoid the use of diesel generators.
DLSWCC clears 5 hydro power projects
To boost hydroelectricity in Kashmir valley, the
Divisional Level Single Window Clearance Committee
(DLSWCC) today cleared two hydro-electric power
projects of 5 MW capacity each at a total project
cost of Rs 83.09 crore. Project director said the UT
Government has given highest priority for its development, since hydroelectric generation
can meet the growing need of power for industry, agriculture and rural electrification.
Conclusion:
From the above discussion we come to know that hydro energy is the most efficient way to
producing energy. This technology that could save 12% of the energy used in pressurized
irrigation. This is the one of the best way of rural development.Though this way we can get
clean sustainable energy.
Advantage of Hydroelectricity
One-time Investment Renewable
Green Reliable
Flexible Safe
Emission Free Adjustable
Create Lakes Faster Developed Land
Disadvantage of Hydroelectricity
Expensive Droughts
Limited
Reservoirs
Impact on Fish
Flood Risk