Factors Affecting the Plant Capacity & Discipline of Engineering in a HydroPower Plant

Total Installed Capacity

- Head difference (vertical height) in water levels between two points

- Flow: the volume of water flowing through a area-cross section per unit time

No. of Units and Unit Capacity

• Accessibility and Transportation Limitations
• Availability of Technology
• Operation and Maintenance consideration

Power Developed by a Turbine

Pt = 9.81 x Q x H x η (KW)

Q = Discharge, m3/sec
H = Net Head, m
h = Efficiency of Turbine

ηtur = efficiency of turbine ( 89 % to 95 %)
ηgen = efficiency of generator (96% to 99%)

Discipline of Engineering in a HydroPower Plant

- Civil Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Electrical Engineering

Civil Engineering further can be categories into Geological Engineering, Hydrological Engineering, Environmental Engineering and Structural Engineering.

Intake Structure and Water Conducting System

- Barrage/Dam - Diversion Structure - Intake Channel - Dislting Chamber - Tunnel - Surge & Drop Shaft - Pressure Shaft - Penstock - Powerhouse - Tail Race Structure

Mechanical Engineering aspect involve design , engineering, manufacturing, testing, selection of turbine and various equipment

Hydro-Mechanical, Power Generating Machines & Auxiliaries

- Intake Gates - Spillway Gates - Trash Rack - Disilting Valve/Gates - Penstock Protection Valve - Surge & Drop Shaft - Turbines & Auxiliaries - Main Inlet Valve - EOT Crane - Fire Protection System - Air Conditioning and Ventilation System - Cooling Water and Compressed Air System - Tail Race Gates

Electrical Engineering aspect involve design , engineering, manufacturing, testing, selection of generators, control systems, switchgear, transmission lines etc.,

Power Evacuating and Transmitting Systems

- Generators and Auxiliaries - Transformers - Control and Protection Systems - Switchyards - Circuit Breaker - Isolators - Current and Potential transformer - Communication Systems - Transmission Lines / Towers

Hydro Turbines

- What is a hydro Turbine

- What are the types of Hydro Turbines

- Bases of Classification of Turbine

- Working Principle of Turbine

- Components of Hydro Turbine

- Brief Comparison of Various Turbine

- Selection of Turbines

- Model Testing of Turbine

Get answers of above quistions in my next posts.