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Hydropower plants generate electrical energy by utilizing the potential energy of water, typically through pumped hydro systems that store water in reservoirs at different elevations. They offer several advantages, including being a renewable and clean energy source with high efficiency and low operational costs, but also face limitations such as geographical constraints, environmental impacts, and maintenance challenges. Key components of a hydro power plant include the dam, reservoir, turbines, and transmission infrastructure.

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8 views

Asef

Hydropower plants generate electrical energy by utilizing the potential energy of water, typically through pumped hydro systems that store water in reservoirs at different elevations. They offer several advantages, including being a renewable and clean energy source with high efficiency and low operational costs, but also face limitations such as geographical constraints, environmental impacts, and maintenance challenges. Key components of a hydro power plant include the dam, reservoir, turbines, and transmission infrastructure.

Uploaded by

Enejda Hajro
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Hydropower plants are installations constructed to utilize the water power with a view to generating

electrical energy. The functioning principle is the same as the other power stations but what changes is
the source “input”.
Water may also contain potential energy. This type of energy is preserved in water at a specific
elevation. It is preserved, but not utilized, it could become functional/useful when water is in motion.
Water can be found in three aggregate states-liquid, solid and gas.

Pumped hydro plants

Pumped hydro powers accumulate water from valleys and rivers in a reservoir installed at a
considerable altitude in a relatively immense area-water collector around the it. The reservoir is built for
two different reasons. Firstly, it preserves the potential energy of water which can be collected from a
pond anytime and be sent to an electrical plant at a lower level/altitude. This enables, for example, the
use of spring melted water to generate energy in autumn. Secondly, the other function of a reservoir is
to fulfill the peak demand for electrical energy which can appear at a short notice. Industrial businesses
and families do not need the same amount of electrical energy during different times of the day. That is
why there is added demand for electrical energy at specific times of the day so that power stations
ensure a more intensive production at that time. Such peaks are extremely visible during breaks at
important sporting events. Hydro power plants of pumped accumulation are there to ensure the
technical solution-added and rapid energy. The opening of gates, in front of turbines, can be carried out
within a limit of 1-3 minutes. The turbine turns and the generator starts to generate energy.

Here you may clearly see that two reservoirs have been built, one in a valley and the other one in a
mountain, and the water accumulated in these two reservoirs is utilized to produce energy. In case more
electrical power is needed, the water from the upper reservoir flows to the bottom one (reservoir)
through the turbine after energy has been generated. On the other side, if more energy is required, for
example during the night, the power is provided by the water supply network to pump water back again
from the bottom reservoir to the upper one to supply more water the next day. Hydro power plants
pumped supply is used for two main reasons. The most frequent use is to fulfill the maximum power
generation capacity, meanwhile the other reason is to ensure reactive power.

THE ADVANTAGES OF HYDRO POWER PLANT

 It is a renewable source of energy and maintains fewer petrol reserves.


 It is a clean source of energy, because there are no air pollution related problems or radioactive
waste related problems.
 Since water energy does not release carbon dioxide, it does not contribute to global warming.
 Hydro power plants are able to start and stop the changes in capacity and aid the amelioration
of the energy system credibility. Therefore, hydro power stations are the best potential solution
to the peak demand supply.
 Hydro electrical projects have a useful lifespan of over 50 years. Some of the hydro electrical
projects finalized by the end of the 19-century are still effective (for example the factory
constructed in 1897 in Daarjeeling, India).
 The average production cost, operation and maintenance during its functioning life is much
lower compared to any other source of energy.
 Hydro power plants have a higher efficiency (over 90%) compared to thermal energy (up to 45%)
and gas (up to 60%)
 Generation cost is cheaper from flow effects after the initial installation.
 Accumulation schemes based on reservoirs capacity frequently provide watering benefits, flow
control, tap water supply, navigation, recreation, tourism PISCICULTURE(NUK E DI CA ESHTE
KJO)

Disadvantages of hydro power plants

There are disadvantages and limitations as well to hydro power plant, specifically massive ones

 Hydro power plant availability is limited in hilly areas due to water restriction and head. This
requires additional investments for long transmission water pipes which inevitably results in loss
transmission.
 Some of massive dams are considered to be the cause of considerable concentrated capacity
which results in seismic effects.
 Inhabitants’ rehabilitation and relocation in flooded areas is continually a worrying issue.
 In underdeveloped countries the hydro power plant construction takes longer compared to
other areas. The reason for this is that it is very difficult for the equipment and machineries to
be transported in hilly regions which are vital for its construction (hydro power plant)
 During rainy season, torrential rain in water collection areas might endanger the dam safety. At
the same time water discharge is impossible as it creates butterflies on the flow side.
 Some hydro power plants, especially in developing and underdeveloped countries, face serious
problems in water collection areas due to uncontrolled development. This happens because of
living conditions improvement and employment opportunities in areas which surround the dam
and thermal central. The construction of residential areas as well as commercial ones start to
cause problems to the water flow in the reservoir with the time passing, which changes water
supply for energy generation.
 In some places water contains mud because of earth erosion which is the main cause to the
damage of turbine blades that require more frequent maintenance during rainy season.

The components of a hydro power plant are: the dam, reservoir, piping and ducts, turbines, engine
house, transformer, transmission lines.

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