Power Generation/Hydro Power/Part1

Figure 1:Krasnoyarsk hydroelectric station in Russia ( Click on image to view full size image )

Introduction: Hydro Power station

A hydro power station uses potential energy of water at high level for generating electrical energy.

This power station is generally located in hilly areas where dams can be built conveniently and large water reservoirs can be obtained. This kind of power station can be used to produce large amounts of electrical energy. In most countries these power stations are used as peak load power stations. This is because they can be started and stopped easily and fast.

Operation

The water from the dam is lead to the water turbine through the penstock. Here the hydraulic energy of water is converted to rotational mechanical energy by the turbine. The turbine is connected to the generator through the turbine shaft and hence mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy by the generator.

Pros & Cons: what this power station presents

Advantages	Disadvantages
Requires no fuel, thus called clean power station	Very high capital cost for dam construction
Small running charges and no need for specialised manpower	Uncertainty about availability of huge amounts of water
Simple construction & requires less maintenance	Skilled personel required for construction
Very robust & has long life	High cost of transmission line as plant is located in hilly areas.
Also used for flood control and irrigation	Impacts native watershed ecology

Future generations will want to depend more on this type of electricity generating power station (and other renewable energy sources), due to a fast increasing depletion of fuels(Coal). There are a number of construction projects currently underway for this kind of power station around the world.