Components of a HydroPower Plant..3

Power House

Power House is a building to house the turbines, Generators and other accessories for operating the machines.

Components of Power House

A. Mechanical Component

Distributor/Spiral Casing- a casing or housing used to distribute the water equally all along the periphery of runner.

Spherical valve or Main Inlet Valve- Valve used to isolate the turbine or machine from water incase non-availability of water for generation or maintenance

Turbine; a hydromachine used to convert the hydraulic energy to mechanical energy

EOT Crane(Electric Overhead Crane); used to lift the equipment of the power house viz., rotor (heaviest component in the power station), stator, shafts, runner and other equipment

B. Electrical Component

Generator; machine used to convert the mechanical energy into electrical energy

Transformers; to step up the generation voltage upto the capacity of grid

Switchyard; is the central protection and metering of the outgoing feeders after stepping up of system voltage using transformer (usually consist of Circuit Breakers, Isolators, disconnect switch, Current transformer, Potential transformer, lighting arrestors etc)

Circuit Breakers: to disconnect the system in case of faults vis-à-vis short circuit, over voltage, under voltage, under frequency, distance faults etc

Disconnect switch/Isolators: to open the circuit as & when desired to take up the system for maintenance

Current Transformer: to step down the system current to the level of 1A/ 5A as the case may be. Used for current measurement and power measurement

Potential Transformer: for Power and voltage measurement

Communication system: consist of wave trap and PLCC for data transfer through power lines.

Transmission lines: using transmission line tower the power is transferred from the generating station to the nearest grid (of desired capacity) General rating of the lines are 11kV ,33kV, 66kV, 132 kV, 220 kV, 400 kV, 750/800 kV.

C. Power House Auxiliaries

Cooling Water system: used to supply the cooling water to Generator air coolers, Turbine bearing, Generator bearing, transformer cooling etc.,

Compressed Air System: used to supply compressed air to various turbine and generator auxiliaries for rotor lifting, generator brakes, service air etc.,

De- watering System: used to de-water the powerhouse in case of seepage, maintenance etc., also used for de-watering the tunnel, penstock.

Air conditioning and ventilation: used to maintain the normal working temperature inside the control room and powerhouse building for efficient working of equipment and operating staff.

Fire protection and detection systems this system is used to protect each Generating equipment and its auxiliaries of the powerplant against the fire hazards. Also, for insurance coverage this system is must and TAC (Terrific Advisory Committee) norms has to be follow for his approval.

Drainage system: used to drain water from powerhouse used for cleaning, water close-let, drinking water etc.