Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Hydropower

What are the advantages of Hydropower?

A renewable source of energy - saves scarce fuel reserves.

Non-polluting and hence environment friendly.

Long life - The first hydro project of India completed in 1897 is still in operation at
Darjeeling.

Cost of generation, operation and maintenance is lower than the other sources of energy.

Ability to start and stop quickly and instantaneous load acceptance/rejection makes it
suitable to meet peak demand and for enhancing system reliability and stability.

Has higher efficiency (over 90%) compared to thermal (35%) and gas (around 50%).

Cost of generation is free from inflationary effects after the initial installation.

Storage based hydro schemes often provide benefits of irrigation, flood control, drinking
water supply, navigation, recreation, tourism, pisciculture etc.

Being located in remote regions leads to development of interior backward areas

(education, medical, road communication, telecommunication etc.)

What are the different types of turbines used in Hydroelectric Power Plants?

There are basically four types of turbines: 1. Pelton turbines - It is impulse turbine which is normally used for more than 250 m of
water head.
2. Francis - This is a reaction turbine which is used for head varying between 2.5m to
450m
3. Kaplan It is propeller type with adjustable blades which is used for heads varying
between 1.5 m to 70 m
4. Propeller It is used for head between 1.5 to 30 m
5. Tubular This is used for low and medium height projects. Normally for head less than
15 m.
What are the major components of a Hydroelectric Power Plant?

The major components of a Hydroelectric Power Plant are:1. Dam/Barrage Head works i.e. power intake, head regulator and de-silting chambers
etc.

2. Head race tunnels/channels

3. Surge shaft/surge chambers

4. Pressure shaft/Penstock
5. Underground and surface power house
6. Tailrace channel or tunnel.
Why hydropower is called renewable source of energy?

Hydropower is called renewable source of energy because it uses and not consumes the water
for generation of electricity, and the hydropower leaves this vital resource available for other
uses
What is the classification of Hydro Projects based on Installed Capacity?

Micro:
Mini:

up to 100 KW
101KW to 2 MW

Small: 2 MW to 25 MW
Mega:

Hydro projects with installed capacity >= 500 MW

Thermal Projects with installed capacity >=1500 MW

How energy is generated in Hydroelectric Power Plant?

A hydroelectric power plant consists of a high dam that is built across a large river to create a
reservoir, and a station where the process of energy conversion to electricity takes place.

The first step in the generation of energy in a hydropower plant is the collection of run-off of
seasonal rain and snow in lakes, streams and rivers, during the hydrological cycle. The run-off
flows to dams downstream. The water falls through a dam, into the hydropower plant and turns a
large wheel called a turbine. The turbine converts the energy of falling water into mechanical
energy to drive the generator. After this process has taken place electricity is transferred to the
communities through transmission lines and the water is released back into the lakes, streams or
rivers. This is entirely not harmful, because no pollutants are added to the water while it flows
through the hydropower plant.
Which is the largest Hydropower station in the world?

Three Gorges project in China on Yang-Yang river is the largest power station in the world having
installed capacity of around 22,500 MW.
How does cost of generation from Hydropower Plant compare with other sources of electricity?

The hydro power generation is highly capital-intensive mode of electricity generation but being
renewable source of energy with no consumables involved; there is very little recurring cost and
hence no high long term expenditure. It is cheaper as compared to electricity generated from
coal and gas fired plants. It also reduces the financial losses due to frequency fluctuations and it
is more reliable as it is inflation free due to not usage of fossil fuel.
Which is the oldest Hydropower Plant in India?

The oldest Hydropower power plant is in Darjeeling District in West Bengal. Its installed capacity
is 130KW and was commissioned in the year 1897.
What is the estimated total Hydropower potential of India?

The hydro power potential of India is around 1,48,701 MW and at 60% load factor, it can meet the
demand of around 84,000 MW.
How much of the total Hydro power potential has been exploited so far in India?

Around 19.9% of Hydropower potential has been exploited in India.

What are the different types of dams?

Different types of dams are conventional concrete dam, Roller compacted concrete dam, rock fill
dam, Concrete Faced Rock fill Dam (CFRD), Earth fill dam, arch dam, barrages etc.

Why the unit sizes of hydro generating machines are not standardized as in case of thermal power
plants?

Since the size of hydro generating machines are based on availability of water in river and the
water head available at a particular project site, the size of the machines keeps varying from
location to location and river to river. The sizes are also based on logistics and variation of water
in river during the year.
What are the different types of Hydro Schemes?

Different types of Hydro Schemes are:1. Purely Run - of - River Power Station.
2. Storage type Power Station.
3. Run of River Stations with Pondage.
What are the major reasons for balancing Hydro-thermal mix?

Seasonal load curves of our regional grids match with the pattern of hydro power generation.
During summer/monsoon season when the generation at hydro power plants is high, the load
factor of the system is high due to heavy agricultural load. During winter, the thermal stations
operating at base load and hydro stations working as peak load stations will take care of weather
beating loads. Thus the operational needs of hydro & thermal stations are complimentary and the
balanced mix helps in optimal utilization of the capacity.
Why Hydropower stations are preferred solution for meeting peak loads in grids?

Due to its unique capabilities of quick starting and stopping of hydro machines, hydropower
stations are found to be economical choice to meet peak load in the grid.
What are approaches to tackle sedimentation problem of reservoir?

The following are some approaches to tackle sedimentation problem of reservoir:

Catchment Area Treatment (CAT) for reduction of silt load includes afforestation of the
catchment area and Environmental works such as construction of check dams.

Effective de-silting arrangements for prevention of silt.

Silt resistant equipment for withstanding the silt.

Effective operation of the reservoir to minimize silt deposition.

What are the effects of sedimentation in Hydropower stations?

The major effects of reservoir sedimentation are:

It reduces the active storage capacity, which may reduce the capability of the reservoir to
deliver the benefits in course of time.

It makes the flood management in the reservoir more difficult.

Damages to turbines and other under water parts due to abrasive action of silt.

What are the major thrust areas in the field of Environmental Conservation & Management for
developing hydropower?

Following safeguards/management plans should be implemented to ensure development of

hydropower in an environmentally sustainable manner:

Compensatory Afforestation in lieu of forest land diverted for the project.

Catchment Area Treatment (CAT) to minimise erosion in the catchment of the reservoir,
thereby reducing siltation in the reservoir.

Resettlement & Rehabilitation of Project Affected Population.

Rejuvenation of Dumping Sites and Quarry Sites, using engineering and biological
measures.

Reservoir Rim Treatment plan to stabilise reservoir periphery.

Conservation measures, to conserve flora and fauna native to the ecosystem of the area.

Subsidized Fuel Distribution to worker population and project affected population to

minimise fuel demands on the adjacent forests.

Health Management Plan for the worker population and affected population to maintain
optimum health standards.

Fishery Management by construction of fish ladders, wherever possible, to enable

migration of fishes and by promoting reservoir fisheries.

Green Belt Plan to make the surroundings of project construction areas green.

Dam Break Analysis and Disaster Management Plan for downstream areas vulnerable to
flooding in case of Dam breach.

What are the benefits of hydropower projects?

Hydropower is a renewable, economic, non polluting and environmentally benign source of

energy. It saves scarce fossil fuel resources of the country, which are non renewable.
Hydropower projects have certain distinctive advantages over other sources of electricity
generation, as discussed below:a)

Technical Benefits
Hydropower projects are known to have much longer life and provide cheaper electricity
as there is no fuel cost and the recurring cost involved in generation, operation and
maintenance is lower than that in case of other sources of energy.

b)

Environmental Benefits

Uses renewable and pollution free source i.e. water

Increase in Agriculture Productivity through development of irrigation and multipurpose

schemes, having generation of electricity as one of the objectives, wherever possible and
feasible.

Avoided Green House Gas (GHG) emissions from equivalent thermal and other fuel
based power projects.

Involve large scale afforestation activities under various schemes like Compensatory
Afforestation, Catchment Area

Treatment,

Green

Belt

Development,

Voluntary

Afforestation etc. which ultimately improve the environmental quality of the project area.

c)

Flood Mitigation through large storage dams.

Source of Drinking Water

Social Benefits
Hydro projects are a boon to the society and the population in and around the projects.
With enhanced employment opportunities, increased earnings, enriched life style and
improved standard of living, the people in these localities experience an economic and
social upliftment. Reservoir area is an ideal place for recreation and source of ecotourism promotion in the area. The reservoirs are also used for promoting pisciculture.
There are other direct benefits accruing from hydro projects and dams such as increased
water for improved irrigation, and drinking water to villages and people living in and
around the project area.