Hydroelectric power plants site selection involves two main stages: (1) Preliminary investigations to assess feasibility and choose between alternatives, allowing preliminary designs and cost estimates to be prepared; and (2) Final investigations of the recommended site for detailed exploration to establish suitability and enable final designs. Key components of hydroelectric power plants include dams to form reservoirs, spillways to release flood waters, penstocks or tunnels to carry water from reservoirs to turbines, surge tanks to regulate water pressure, and power stations containing turbines coupled to generators to convert the kinetic energy of flowing water into electricity. Advantages include low operating costs and no greenhouse gas emissions during power generation, while disadvantages can include environmental disruption and the need to relocate communities.

1. Hydroelectric Power Plants Site Selection
It is a common practice which is to be carried out in two main stages.
I Preliminary Investigation The purposes of preliminary investigations are to provide
sufficient information to find out the practicability of the proposed scheme and to choose
between alternative schemes. The preliminary designs and estimations can be prepared
and recommendations are made with reasonable confidence.
2. Final investigations The final investigation include the detailed exploration of the
recommended site so as to establish the complete suitability and to enable the final
designs. The preliminary and final investigations include mainly (a) hydrological (b)
topographical and (c) geological
Hydrologic Cycle
Air-current cycles drive the Earth's water supply through a cycle of its own, called the
hydrologic cycle. As the sun heats liquid water, the water evaporates into vapor in the
air. The sun heats the air, causing the air to rise in the atmosphere. The air is colder
higher up, so as the water vapor rises, it cools, condensing into droplets. When enough
droplets accumulate in one area, the droplets may become heavy enough to fall back to
Earth as precipitation.

2. Principle
Hydroelectric power generated by converting the hydraulic potential energy from water
into electrical energy.
Layout of Hydroelectric Power Plants
Hydroelectric power plants are suitable were water with suitable head are available. The layout shows the
important parts of hydroelectric plant. The different parts of a hydroelectric power plant are
(1) Dam
Dams are structures built over rivers to stop the water flow and form a reservoir. The reservoir stores the
water flowing down the river. This water is diverted to turbines in power stations. The dams collect water
during the rainy season and stores it, thus allowing for a steady flow through the turbines throughout the
year. Dams are also used for controlling floods and irrigation. The dams should be water-tight and should
be able to withstand the pressure exerted by the water on it. There are different types of dams such as arch
dams, gravity dams and buttress dams. The height of water in the dam is called head race.
(2) Spillway
A spillway as the name suggests could be called as a way for spilling of water from dams. It is used to
provide for the release of flood water from a dam. It is used to prevent over toping of the dams which

3. could result in damage or failure of dams. Spillways could be controlled type or uncontrolled type. The
uncontrolled types start releasing water upon water rising above a particular level. But in case of the
controlled type, regulation of flow is possible.
(3) Penstock and Tunnel
Penstocks are pipes which carry water from the reservoir to the turbines inside power station. They are
usually made of steel and are equipped with gate systems. Water under high pressure flows through the
penstock. A tunnel serves the same purpose as a penstock. It is used when an obstruction is present
between the dam and power station such as a mountain.
(4) Surge Tank
Surge tanks are tanks connected to the water conductor system. It serves the purpose of reducing water
hammering in pipes which can cause damage to pipes. The sudden surges of water in penstock is taken by
the surge tank, and when the water requirements increase, it supplies the collected water thereby
regulating water flow and pressure inside the penstock.
(5) Power Station
Power station contains a turbine coupled to a generator. The water brought to the power station rotates the
vanes of the turbine producing torque and rotation of turbine shaft. This rotational torque is transferred to
the generator and is converted into electricity. The used water is released through the tail race. The
difference between head race and tail race is called gross head and by subtracting the frictional losses we
get the net head
Advantages
1. Elimination of the cost of fuel.
2. longer economic lives than fuel-fired generation, with some plants now in service
which were built 50 to 100 years ago
3. Operating labor cost is also usually low
4. No green house gas (CO 2 ) emission during power generation
Disadvantages
1. This projects can be disruptive to surrounding aquatic ecosystems both upstream
and downstream of the plant site
2. It needs to relocate the people living where the reservoirs are planned
3. Dams may be subject to enemy bombardment during wartime, sabotage and
terrorism

4. URL: http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/hyhowworks.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydroelectricity
Question Bank:
PART – A
1. Suggest suitable location for hydro electric power plant.
2. What is the function of spill way?
3. What is the function of penstock?
4. What is the function of surge tank?
5. Name the types of turbines that we can use for hydro electric power plant?
6. What do you meant by “ water hammering “?
7. With respect to head level suggest the type of turbine that we can use for hydor
electric power plant.
8. suggest the location for surge tank in hydor electric power plant.
9. What is catchment area?
10. Differentiate reservior and catchment area.
11. suggest the suitable material for penstock
12. State the advantages and disadvantages of hydor electric power plant.
PART – B
1. With neat sktch explain the construction and working principle of hydor electric
power plant.
Micro: upto 100 KW
Mini: 101KW to 2 MW
Small: 2 MW to 25 MW
Mega: Hydro projects with installed capacity >= 500 MW
Thermal Projects with installed capacity >=1500 MW
here are basically four types of power plants: -
1. Pelton turbines - It is impulse turbine which is normally used for more than 250 m of
water head.
2. Francis - This is a reaction turbine which is used for head varying between 2.5m to
450m
3. Kaplan – It is propeller type of plant with adjustable blades which are used for heads
varying between 1.5 m to 70 m
4. Propeller – It is used for head between 1.5 to 30 m

5. 5. Tubular – This is used for low and medium height projects. Normally for head less than
15 m.
The oldest Hydropower power plant is in Darjeeling District in West Bengal. It’s installed capacity
is 130KW and was commissioned in the year 1897.
The hydro power potential of India is around 1,48,701 MW and at 60% load factor, it can meet the
demand of around 84,000 MW.