Necessity of Hydro-Power Development

The demand and supply position in Odisha, discussed above, clearly brings out the
immediate need for taking up new generation schemes in the state to bridge the
gap between supply and demand. Odisha has the largest hydro power potential
among all the states of the eastern region. The need for implementing new hydro-
electric schemes in the region for providing peak power besides energy at
competitive rates therefore needs no further emphasis.

In this power shortage scenario, the only way available to the Power
Engineers/planners today is to bridge the gap (to a great extent) between demand
and supply adopting energy conservation measures optimally utilizing the existing
generation capacity by improving Plant Load Factor (PLF) at the supply side and
by adopting various energy efficiency measures at the demand side. In addition of
above the most reliable option for energy storage is development of Pumped
storage schemes, which is the most widely used form of bulk-energy storage,
which uses the simple combination of water and gravity to capture off-peak power
and releases it at times of high demand. Along with energy management, pumped
storage systems are also helpful in controlling electrical network frequency and
provide reserve generation. Thermal plants are much less able to respond to
sudden changes in electrical demand, potentially causing frequency
and
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 Necessity of Hydro-Power Development

voltage instability. Pumped storage plants, like other hydroelectric plants, can
respond to load changes within seconds.
intake structure for the new powerhouse, based on a traditional design concept,consists of
a trapezoidal approach channel, a trashrack, an elliptical bellmouth entry converginginto a
rectangular approach tunnel, a circular intake shaft with a service gate, and an emergencygate for
regulating entry of water into the conductor system

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 Necessity of Hydro-Power Development

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 Necessity of Hydro-Power Development

The top curve of the entrance is bellmouth shaped, with an

ellipticalprofile, allowing streamlined entry of water into the
approach tunnel. The bellmouth profile isdesigned as per the
guidelines of the United States Department of the Interior’s Bureau
of Reclamation2 because the Indian Standard Code does not
provide specifications for a bottom-suppressed intake. The
bellmouth entrance follows an elliptical profile in plan. An intake
servicegate will enable inspection and maintenance of the system.

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Studies to validate the design

The designers performed standard empirical calculations to validate the initial
intake design, thenused results of hydraulic model studies to choose the appropriate
submergence depth.
Empirical calculations of submergence and vortex phenomena
In intake structures for hydro facilities, phenomena of free vortex formation are
common. Figure 2on page 34 shows the various types of vortices to which an intake can
be subjected.3 Thedeleterious effects of such vortex phenomena are well known. These
vortices introduce air bubblesinto the stream and result in loss of head at the intake.
They affect the function of the water pumpsoperating in the intake and/or adversely
affect the streamlined full-design flow into the waterconductor system. Any entrapped
air moving along the boundary of the tunnel may cause negativepressure and damage the
concrete lining. Also, for proper operation of the turbines or pumps, it isimperative
that the water be free of entrapped air.