Hydro power plants:

Operating Equation:

P = g..W.h

watts

where,

g = 9.81

m/s2

= 1000

kg/m3 (density of water)

W and h are discharge (m3/sec) and head (m), respectively

P = 9.81. W.hkWatts

Another popular form of equation:

P = g.w.Q.h.

watts

Where, g = 9.81 m/s2, w = 1000 kg/m3 (density of water), Q is the discharge, h is the
head, and is the efficiency.
Types of these plants and the type of turbines used (also devise a way to remember)

Imp facts to note about hydro electric power plants:

The oldest and the cheapest method of power generation.

Energy obtained is free of running cost and pollution free.
It involves high capital cost and civil construction.
Requires a long gestation period of 5-8 yrs against 4-6 yrs of steam power

plants.
Types of hydro-power plants and turbines used:
o High Head or Storage (184 1840 m)
:
Pelton
o Medium Head or Pondage (37 490 m) :
Francis
o Run of River (up to 61 m)
:
Kaplan
Sometimes, cascaded hydro-power plants are also constructed. Here, the

discharge from one plant becomes the inflow of the downstream plant.
These plants start quickly (within 5 mins). The rate of taking up load on the

machines is 20 MW/min. Thus, hydro power plants are ideal for meeting peak
load occurring for a short duration of time.