Sizes and Capacities of

Hydroelectric Facilities
 Large and Specialized
Industrial Facilities

- Although no official definition exist for the capacity

range of large hydroelectric power stations, facilities
from over hundred megawatts to more than 10 GW is
generally considered large hydroelectric facilities.

Large-scale hydroelectric power stations are more

commonly seen as the largest power producing facilities
in the world, with some hydroelectric facilities capable of
generating more than double the installed capacities of
the current largest nuclear power stations.
 Example of Large-Scale HEP

The Three Gorges Dam, seen here from space, is

the largest operating hydroelectric power stations at an
installed capacity of 22,500 MW.
 Small Hydro

- Small hydro is the development of hydroelectric

power on a scale serving a small community or industrial
plant. The definition of a small hydro project varies but a
generating capacity of up to 10 megawatts (MW) is
generally accepted as the upper limit of what can be
termed small hydro.

- Small hydro plants may be connected to

conventional electrical distribution networks as a source
of low-cost renewable energy.
 Alternatively, small hydro projects may be built in
isolated areas that would be uneconomic to serve from a
network, or in areas where there is no national electrical
distribution network.

Since small hydro projects usually have minimal

reservoirs and civil construction work, they are seen as
having a relatively low environmental impact compared
to large hydro. This decreased environmental impact
depends strongly on the balance between stream flow
and power production.
Example of Small Hydro
 Micro Hydro

- Micro hydro is a term used for hydroelectric power

installations that typically produce up to 100 kW of
power.

These installations can provide power to an isolated

home or small community, or are sometimes connected
to electric power networks. There are many of these
installations around the world, particularly in developing
nations as they can provide an economical source of
energy without purchase of fuel.
 Micro hydro systems complement photovoltaic solar
energy systems because in many areas, water flow, and
thus available hydro power, is highest in the winter when
solar energy is at a minimum.

Micro hydro is frequently accomplished with a pelton

wheel for high head, low flow water supply. The
installation is often just a small dammed pool, at the top
of a waterfall, with several hundred feet of pipe leading
to a small generator housing.
Example of Micro Hydro
 Pico Hydro

- Pico hydro is a term used for hydroelectric power

generation of under 5 kW.

It is useful in small, remote communities that require

only a small amount of electricity - for example, to power
one or two fluorescent light bulbs and a TV or radio in 50
or so homes. Even smaller turbines of 200-300W may
power a single home in a developing country with a drop
of only 1 meter. Pico-hydro setups typically are run-of-
stream, meaning that dams are not used, but rather pipes
divert some of the flow, drop this down a gradient, and
through the turbine before being exhausted back to the
stream.
Example of Pico Hydro