Hydroelectric

Power Plant
CONTENTS
01 Introduction to Hydroelectric Power Plants
02 Components of Hydroelectric Power Plants
03 Types of Hydroelectric Power Plants
04 Environmental Impact
05 Economic Considerations
06 Advantages & Disadvantages
07 Operations & Maintenance
08 Examples of Hydroelectric Power
Plants in the Philippines
What is Hydroelectric
Power Plant?
According to Britannica, “Hydroelectric power plants
are usually located in dams that impound rivers,
thereby raising the level of the water behind the dam
and creating as high a head as is feasible. The
potential power that can be derived from a volume
of water is directly proportional to the working head,
so that a high-head installation requires a smaller
volume of water than a low-head installation to
produce an equal amount of power.”
What is Hydroelectric
Power?
According to Britannica, “Hydroelectric power,
electricity produced from generators driven by
turbines that convert the potential energy of falling
or fast-flowing water into mechanical energy.”
Statistica: Energy and Environment
Components of Hydroelectric Power Plant
1. Forebay
A forebay is a basin area of hydropower
plant where water is temporarily stored before
going into intake chamber. The storage of water
in forebay is decided based on required water
demand in that area. This is also used when the
load requirement in intake is less.

2. Penstock
Penstocks are like large pipes laid with some
slope which carries water from intake structure
or reservoir to the turbines. They run with some
pressure so, sudden closing or opening of
penstock gates can cause water hammer effect
to the penstocks.
Components of Hydroelectric Power Plant
3. Intake Structure
Intake structure is a structure which collects
the water from the forebay and directs it into
the penstocks. There are different types of
intake structures are available and selection
of type of intake structure depends on various
local conditions.
Types of Intake Structures:

1. Exposed Intake Structures

It is in the form of a well or tower constructed
near the bank of a river, or in some cases even
away from the river banks. Extraneous intakes
are more frequent because of ease in
operation.
Components of Hydroelectric Power Plant

Types of Intake Structures:

2. Submerged Intake Structures

This is the one that is built totally under water.
It is largely used in obtaining supply from a
lake. It relies on the gravity to go inside the
penstock.

4. Surge Chamber
A surge chamber or surge tank is a cylindrical
tank which is open at the top to control the
pressure in penstock. It is connected to the
penstock and as close as possible to the power
house.
Components of Hydroelectric Power Plant
5. Hydraulic Turbines
Hydraulic turbine, a device which can convert the
hydraulic energy into the mechanical energy which again
converted into the electrical energy by coupling the shaft of
turbine to the generator.
Two types of Turbines:
Impulse Turbine - Impulse turbine is also called as
velocity turbine. Impulse turbines are employed in high-
head hydroelectric plants for the conversion of kinetic
energy of water into mechanical energy for generating
electricity. They work by directing a high-speed jet of
water onto blades, causing the rotor to rotate and
generate power.
Pelton Wheel
Components of Hydroelectric Power Plant
Two types of Turbines:
Reaction Turbine - Reaction turbine is also called
pressure turbine. This type of hydraulic turbine
commonly used in hydropower plants to generate
electricity by harnessing the energy of flowing water.
Unlike impulse turbines, which operate with a high-
speed jet of water, reaction turbines work under
pressure and utilize the momentum of water flowing Kaplan Turbine
through them.

Francis Turbine
Components of Hydroelectric Power Plant
6. Power House
Power house is a building provided to protect the
hydraulic and electrical equipment. Generally,
the whole equipment is supported by the
foundation or substructure laid for the power
house.

7. Tailrace
Tailrace is the flow of water from turbines to the
stream. It is good if the power house is located
nearer to the stream. But, if it is located far away
from the stream then it is necessary to build a
channel for carrying water into the stream.
Components of Hydroelectric Power Plant
8. Draft Tube
If reaction turbines are used, then draft tube is a
necessary component which connects turbine
outlet to the tailrace. The draft tube contains
gradually increasing diameter so that the water
discharged into the tailrace with safe velocity. At
the end of draft tube, outlet gates are provided
which can be closed during repair works.
Types of Hydroelectric Power Plant
IMPOUNDMENT
The most common type of
hydroelectric power plant is an
impoundment facility. An
impoundment facility, typically a
large hydropower system, uses a
dam to store river water in a
reservoir. Water released from the
reservoir flows through a turbine,
spinning it, which in turn activates
a generator to produce electricity.
Types of Hydroelectric Power Plant
Types of Hydroelectric Power Plant
DIVERSION
A diversion, sometimes called a “run-
of-river” facility, channels a portion
of a river through a canal and/or a
penstock to utilize the natural
decline of the river bed elevation to
produce energy. A penstock is a
closed conduit that channels the
flow of water to turbines with water
flow regulated by gates, valves, and
turbines. A diversion may not require
the use of a dam.
Types of Hydroelectric Power Plant
Types of Hydroelectric Power Plant
PUMPED STORAGE
Another type of hydropower, called
pumped storage hydropower, or PSH,
works like a giant battery. A PSH
facility is able to store the electricity
generated by other power sources,
like solar, wind, and nuclear, for later
use. These facilities store energy by
pumping water from a reservoir at a
lower elevation to a reservoir at a
higher elevation.
Types of Hydroelectric Power Plant
Environmental Impact
Damage to wildlife habitats and migratory paths
Constructing large storage or pumped storage hydropower plants involves blocking,
diverting, or changing the natural course of river systems. One issue that arises with
blocking a river's natural flow is the simultaneous blocking of important migration
routes for fish. Many species of fish depend on inland rivers for reproduction; by
blocking a river's flow with dams, fish cannot reach their breeding grounds.

Land use
Many large hydropower facilities alter the surrounding landscape, especially around
reservoirs created by damming rivers. Just as reducing downstream water flow can
cause habitat loss, creating reservoirs to generate electricity in storage and pumped
storage hydropower systems often cause upstream flooding that destroys wildlife
habitats, scenic areas, and prime farming land. In some instances, this flooding can
even force human populations to relocate.
Environmental Impact
Greenhouse gas emissions from reservoirs
While generating power by spinning turbines with water doesn't directly use any fossil
fuels or emit greenhouse gases, several recent studies have shown that reservoirs
created by damming rivers contribute significantly to atmospheric greenhouse gases.
This is because organic material trapped in the reservoirs, such as dead plants,
breaks down and releases gases like carbon dioxide and methane into the reservoir
water.
Economic Considerations

Long-Term Cost Revenue

Initial Investment
One of the most important
economic considerations for
hydropower plants is the large
initial investment required in
their construction. The cost of
constructing the dams,
reservoirs, and associated
infrastructure can be very
large.
Stability
Hydropower offers a long-
term cost stability because it
is based on a renewable
energy source—water. Once
the infrastructure has been
developed, the operational
costs become quite
predictable and include
maintenance and infrequent
upgrading of the facility.
Generation
Hydropower plants create
revenue from the sale of
electricity to consumers or
utility companies. The revenue
generated can be huge,
especially if the plant works
efficiently and on a
continuous basis.
Economic Considerations

Reservoir Infrastructure
Management Risk Management Maintenance
Managing reservoirs for Hydropower generation may This involves the maintenance
hydropower generation often be subject to fluctuations in of hydropower infrastructure
involves balancing the the availability of water due such as dams, turbines, and
conflicting interests that come to various factors such as transmission lines on a regular
in the form of flood control, climate change, droughts, or basis to ensure reliability and
water supply, and ecological changes in precipitation efficiency. Such costs incurred
preservation. patterns. Such risks need to in the maintenance of the
be mitigated through above should be covered
diversification of energy under the economic analysis
sources or investing in storage of hydropower projects.
technologies.
 Advantages of Hydroelectric Power Plant
Maintenance and
Any hydro electric plant is operation charges are Running cost of plant is
No fuel charges. highly reliable very low. low.

01 02 03 04
It take a few minutes to
The plant efficiency run and synchronize the Less supervising staff is
It has no standby losses. doesn't change with age. plant. required.

05 06 07 08
 Advantages of Hydroelectric Power Plant

In addition to power
generation these plants
are also used for flood The have long life (100-
No fuel transportation control and irrigation 125yrs, 20-45yrs of
problem. No ash problem. purposes. thermal plant)

09 10 11 12
 Disadvantages of Hydroelectric Power
Plant

Such plants are usually Power generation by the

It takes considerable time located in hilly areas far hydro-electric plants
The initial cost is very for the erection of such away from the load depend upon quantity of
high. plants. centre water hence rain.

01 02 03 04
Operation and Maintenance
The basic principle of the hydro power generation is
impulse momentum. Water potential is converted into the
mechanical energy by rotating the turbine and
mechanical energy is further converted into the electrical
energy by using generator.
Operation and Maintenance
Two Types of Maintenance
1. Preventive scheduled maintenance:
Performance of Inspection Programs as for
Operating as for Security, adjustments, repairs,
analysis, cleaning, lubrication, and calibration
which should be done periodically according to
fixed plan and not to a demand of the operator or
user, studies’ performance of the most important
components:
Turbine, Generator, Transformer and Gates.
Operation and Maintenance
Two Types of Maintenance
2. Corrective Maintenance: Unplanned:
This Maintenance form precludes the reliable
diagnostic of the causes which bring out the
failure, because is ignored if the failure has
occurred by mishandling, drop out, lack of
operating knowledge, or because of natural wear.
Hydroelectric Power Plant in
the Philippines
Magat Hydroelectric Power Plant
Located in Ramon, Isabela
Magat Hydroelectric Power Plant has a capacity of
388 megawatts (MW)
One of the largest hydropower plants in the country.
Hydroelectric Power Plant in
the Philippines
Angat Hydroelectric Power Plant
Situated in Norzagaray, Bulacan
Angat Hydroelectric Power Plant has a capacity of
218 MW.
It primarily serves Metro Manila and surrounding
areas.
Hydroelectric Power Plant in
the Philippines
Pantabangan-Masiway
Hydroelectric Power Plant
Located in Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija
Has a capacity of 112 MW
Contributes to the Luzon grid's power supply.
Hydroelectric Power Plant in
the Philippines
Ambuklao Hydroelectric Power Plant
Situated in Brgy. Ambuclao, Bokod, Benguet province
Ambuklao Hydroelectric Power Plant has a capacity
of 105 MW.
Hydroelectric Power Plant in
the Philippines
Binga Hydroelectric Power Plant
Also located in Itogon, Benguet province
Binga Hydroelectric Power Plant has a capacity of
100 MW.
Hydroelectric Power Plant in
the Philippines
Kalayaan Pumped Storage Plant I
and II
Located in Lumban, Laguna
Has a capacity of 168 MW and 174.3 MW.