2. Components Of The Plant And Their Role
In Its Working
• Here are the basic components of a
conventional hydropower plant:
3. The main components of hydroelectric power
plant
• a) The reservoir: Water from a natural water body
like a river is stored in the reservoir. This reservoir
is built at a level higher than the turbine.
• b) The dam: The flow of water stored in the
reservoir is obstructed by huge walls of the dam.
This prevents the water from flowing and helps us
harness the energy present in it. The dam consists
of gates present at its bottom, which can be lifted
to allow the flow of water through them.
4. The main components of hydroelectric power
plant
• Most hydropower plants rely on a dam that holds back
water, creating a large reservoir.
• c) The penstock: This connects the reservoir with the
turbine propeller and runs in a downward inclined
manner. When the gates of the dam are lifted, the force
of gravity makes the water flow down the penstock and
reach the blades of the turbine. As the water flows
through the penstock, the potential energy of water
stored in the dam is converted into kinetic energy.
• d) The turbine: The kinetic energy of the running water
turns the blades of the turbine. The turbine can be
either a Pelton Wheel Model or a Centrifugal type. The
turbine has a shaft connected to the generator.
5. The main components of hydroelectric power
plant
• The most common type of turbine for
hydropower plants is the Francis Turbine, which
looks like a big disc with curved blades. A turbine
can weigh as much as 172 tons and turn at a rate
of 90 revolutions per minute (rpm), according to
the Foundation for Water & Energy Education
(FWEE).
• e) The generator: A shaft runs from the turbine
to the generator. When the blades of the turbine
rotate, the shaft turns a motor which produces
electric current in the generator.
6. The main components of hydroelectric power
plant
• Giant magnets rotate past copper coils,
producing alternating current (AC) by moving
electrons. (You'll learn more about how the
generator works later.)
• f) Power lines: The power produced in the
generator is sent to various power distribution
stations through the power lines.
7. The main components of hydroelectric power
plant
• The Generator
The heart of the hydroelectric power plant is the generator.
Most hydropower plants have several of these generators.
8. Environmental Impact and Drawbacks
• Large dams and reservoirs in tropical regions
are important sources of greenhouse gases.
According to Brazil's National Institute for
Space Research (INPE), each year the world's
dams give off over 100 million metric tons of
methane. INPE scientists are developing ways
to produce energy by burning this methane.
9. Advantages of Hydroelectric Power
Production and Usage
• 4. Hydroelectricity contributes to the storage
of drinking water.
Hydroelectric power plant reservoirs
collect rainwater, which can then be used for
consumption or for irrigation. In storing water,
they protect the water tables against
depletion and reduce our vulnerability to
floods and droughts.
