Hydroelectric Power Plant

The principle of electricity generation in the case of hydroelectric power plant is the same as in thermal power plant; only difference is that the shaft power to the turbine is provided by pressure and kinetic energy of water in the case of hydroelectric power plant and in thermal power plant the shaft power to the turbine is provided by heat energy of superheated steam or gas. As shown in Figure 3.3, the potential energy of water stored in a dam is used to rotate the turbine blades mounted on a shaft coupled with a generator. Different types of turbines may be used in hydroelectric power plant and it depends on availability of water heads. The applicability of different types of water turbine for various water heads and their specific speeds.

Figure 3.3 A Block Diagram of Hydroelectric Power Generation