INTRODUCTION TO HYDRO POWER PLANT

Hydropower or water power is power derived from the energy of falling

water or fast running water, which may be harnessed for useful purposes. Since
ancient times, hydropower from many kinds of watermills has been used as
a renewable energy source for irrigation and the operation of various mechanical
devices, such as gristmills, sawmills, textile mills, trip hammers, dock cranes,
domestic lifts, and ore mills. A trompe, which produces compressed air from
falling water, is sometimes used to power other machinery at a distance
In the late 19th century, hydropower became a source for
generating electricity. Crag side in Northumberland was the first house powered by
hydroelectricity in 1878 and the first commercial hydroelectric power plant was
built at Niagara Falls in 1879. In 1881, street lamps in the city of Niagara Falls
were powered by hydropower.
Since the early 20th century, the term has been used almost exclusively in
conjunction with the modern development of hydroelectric power.
 ADVANTAGES OF HYDRO POWERPLANT

 It is Renewable.
Since this method uses water from the earth to produce electricity, the
resource is renewable. Naturally, water that evaporates from the surface of
the earth will form clouds and eventually falls back to the earth formed as
snow or rain. This means that it will never have to run out of supply and it
will not become scarce

 Source of Clean Energy.

Basically, hydroelectric power is a clean and green alternative source of
energy. In fact, the creation of hydroelectricity will not cause any
contamination. Moreover, it will not produce any greenhouse gases or toxins
that will pollute the environment.

 It is Stable and Reliable.

This type of energy source is considered dependable as there are no issues so
far as electric power generation is concerned. Many countries with huge
hydropower potential utilize hydroelectricity as their main energy source.

 Requires Low Operating Cost.

The good thing about hydroelectricity when it comes to cost is that it
requires low maintenance and operating cost. It also require minimal
replacements due to the fewer parts that are present in it. More so, the dams
built in these locations have been designed for long-term use. Hence, these
facilities will be capable of providing hydroelectric power for a long period
of time.
 Matches Current Demand.
Altering the water streams, creating dams, and getting power can be easier
said than done. However, it is not very hard to get going. Once the
establishment is in place, it will be easier to deflect the flow of water from
one place to another. For instance, if the demand for water is low in a
particular area, it will be lowered, redirected and stored until the need arises.
 Once a dam is constructed, electricity can be produced at a constant rate.
 DISADVANTAGES OF HYDRO POWERPLANT

 Causes Environmental Damage.

Due to the interruptions in the natural flow of water, there are many identified
results that can affect the environment. Consequently, it can influence the
movement of fish as they move or migrate. This is because fish
environments can be influenced with a number of factors, including safe
spots, water levels, and water speed. When one of these factors will be
altered, there can be a possible interruption in the ecosystem for sure.

 Cost of Building is Expensive.

Undoubtedly, power plants are very expensive to create, regardless of the type
of building. Although hydroelectric power plants are not that complicated to
build, it may still require a huge amount of money to begin with. The only
advantage is that it will not require specialists to maintain or support
personnel that need to be paid large sums of money. So perhaps it will make
a good investment to think it can provide an essential source of energy.

 May Cause Droughts.

A great possibility that happens when building hydroelectric power plants is the
occurrence of local droughts. The cost of energy and power are identified
depending on the accessibility of water. This can be greatly influenced by a
dry spell, causing people not to acquire the power they need.
 Floods in Lower Areas.
Local populations in low lying locations can become victims of floods due
to possible strong water currents that might be released from the dam. More
so, it can affect the livelihood of people living in these areas. As a result,
more people are then forced to move out to pursue the construction of the
dams needed for generating hydroelectricity.

 Shortage of Water Supply.

Huge dams are built across rivers in countries rich with potential
hydroelectric power source. This can cause the interruption of the natural
flow of water from one direction to another. When one location does not
require too much water supply, it will be redirected to another place so that
those looking to build dams in the area can get the much needed water.
However, it can cause conflict in the long run when there is scarcity of water
supply in that particular area and the water redirected to the dams must be
stopped.
 APPLICATION OF HYDRO POWER ELECTRICITY

 Electricity – Hydroelectricity is one of the most important sources of energy

in the world. Hydroelectricity is one of the cheapest and non-polluting
sources of power. Though it can cause ecological damage initially it has
better climate compatibility than other major forms of energy like nuclear,
coal, gas and others. Many countries in the Nordic region and South
America are almost completely dependent on hydro power for their energy
needs. For some countries like China and India with massive energy needs,
Hydroelectricity is the only option currently amongst non-global warming
energy choices to build in large capacities.

 Energy Storage – There is 90 GW of Global Pumped Hydro

Storage already existing in the world and with increasing Solar and Wind
Energy this Capacity is only going to grow. The main use of Pumped Hydro
Storage is for Grid Energy Storage.

 Load Balancing – Storing Power during Low Usage Periods and

Generating Power at High Usage Periods.

 Accommodation of Intermittent Sources of Energy – Solar Energy and

Wind Energy are growing at a scorching fast rate of 50% and 30% CAGR
over the last several years. Larger share of these forms of renewable energy
in the Electricity Mix is driving the growth Grid Storage.

 Agriculture – Hydropower was used in ancient times for producing flour

from grain and was also used for sawing timber and stone, raised water
into irrigation canals.

 Industry – Hydropower was used earlier for some industrial applications

such as driving the bellows in small blast furnaces and for extraction of
metal ores in a method known as hushing.
 Conclusion

 Micro hydropower plants are a renewable energy source that can help meet
future energy needs.
 Micro hydropower plants are generally considered to be more environmentally
friendly than large hydropower plants and fossil fuel plants.
 Reference

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydropower.

• www.wvic.com/content/how_hydropower_works.cf