Hydro Electric Power Project

Development, Infrastructure, Layout of Power Houses,

Power Evacuation &Cost Estimates,
C.N.Sudhindra

Retd. EE (Elect), KPCL

1.0 Introduction:

Hydropower engineering refers to the technology involved in converting the

pressure energy and kinetic energy of water into more easily used electrical energy.
It is rather difficult to trace when exactly water power development made its
beginning. The water wheels have been in existence from very early periods of
human civilization. Records of water wheels being in use on the Hwang Ho & Nile
and the Euphrates including Arunachal Pradesh are in evidence. They were mainly
used in Husking Corn. The adoption of the water wheels for generation of electric
power is comparatively of a recent origin. For a considerable time oil and coal were
considered the only source generation of electrical energy. This is especially
because, invariably hydroelectric development was out-of-the-place in the higher
hills of the watershed and needed long transmission distance before making it
available for the several load centers. But thanks to the present day trend in the
development of long transmission, hydropower development has gained importance.
The development of hydraulic turbine as a prime mover, which transforms the
energy of water into mechanical energy, has made the technology so simple,
efficient, easily controllable and long lived.

The quantity of water available and head is equally important in the generation of
power. The available head depends upon the selection of site for hydraulic power
plant. The hydro power (Water power or hydraulic power) plays very important role
in the development of the country as it provides power at cheapest rate being
renewable source of energy. Hydropower or water power includes hydro power
obviously; one of the first requirements for hydropower is an abundance of water.
The second major requirement is finding a location to make the water fall before
entering the turbine. After, a location is chosen, a great deal of construction is
required to develop the site. For example, large reservoirs are built to collect water
and to control the flow of water into the power plant. In order to make a large
reservoir, large dams are usually built. In Iceland these are usually rock-filled
concrete filled dams. The water is then convyed through long distances either

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 through underground tunnels& pressure shaft/penstocks or through open type
penstock pipes before it enters the plant .This pressurised water enters gradually
reaches the turbine. The turbine turns a shaft which is connected to the rotor. The
rotor is a large electromagnet that spins in a coil of wire. The rotor, along with the
coil is called a generator, which actually produces electricity. This electricity that is
generated is steppep up through a transformer and transmitted to high voltage
transmission lines.

The hydro power (Water power or hydraulic power) plays very important role in the
development of the country as it provides power at cheapest rate being renewable
source of energy. Hydropower or water power includes hydro power plants or
hydroelectric energy, wave energy, tidal energy; ocean energy etc plants or
hydroelectric energy, wave energy, tidal energy; ocean energy etc.

2.0 Present & Future Development:

The existing development of hydropower has resulted from a fairly uniform rate of
increase in competition with other modes of electrical energy production. Until
1970’s, the pattern was to develop bigger and bigger hydro units, because smaller
hydro plants were not competitive with fossil fuel power plants. Recently with rising
cost of fossil fuel, the economic feasibility of small-scale hydro has changed.
Though coal, petroleum liquid, nuclear and other sources of energy is expected to
increase its importance, hydropower retains the same relative importance. Other
source of electric power generation is of course through pumped/storage
hydropower development, using the technique of energy storing system.

Although the relative percentage of electrical energy produced by hydropower has

not increased, the need for additional energy production, the significant load benefits
and the fact that hydropower is a renewable energy sources that appreciates with
time makes it important for future use and development. The challenge to the
engineer is and will be to plan the design economically feasible hydro power
projects to meet the needs of the future and at the same time protect and preserve the
quality of environment.

Nearly 20% of the total world power is generated using hydro plants. As per the
estimate of the World power Organization, the world hydro potential is roughly
5000 GW whereas only 200 GW is presently developed (4% only). India’s Hydro
Electric potential has been assessed at 84,000 MW from major & medium hydro
electric schemes and about 8000 to 10,000 MW from small hydro electric schemes.

3.0 Steps involved in hydro power development:

a) Identification of site
b) Hydrology
c) Assessment of power potential

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 d) Field investigations
i) Hydrological investigations
ii) Topographical survey
iii) Geological investigations
iv) Construction material survey
v) Material testing
vi) Relevant information of electrical system
e) Design of civil works
f) Design of Hydroelectric equipments
g) Selection of hydro mechanical equipments
h) Cost estimates
i) Power evacuation arrangements

i) Identification of site:

Identification of site calls for multidisciplinary approach. The basic date

requirement for identification of site covers topographical, hydrological&
geological aspects, information relating to power system date etc. The site is
decided based on the types of development as under:
a) Run-of- the-river development.
b) Diversion and canal development.
c) Storage regulation type development.
d) Pumped/ storage development.
e) Tidal power development.
f) Singe purpose development.
g) Multi purpose development.
h) Base load development.
i) Peak load development.

ii) Hydrology:
Hydrology is the science which deals with rainfall and run off. The evaporation of
the water from the surfaces of river and oceans and its precipitation on the earth is
known as hydrological cycle. The distribution of precipitation on the earth surface
and beneath the earth is calculated with the help of hydrological considerations.
Water is evaporated from plants, rivers, oceans and carried with the air in the form
of vapour which is known as clouds. When the vapours in the atmosphere are
cooled below dew point temperature. it falls in the form of water or snow
depending on the atmospheric temperature. This evaporation and precipitation is a
naturally continuous process and therefore constitutes a perennial source of energy.

Acquiring a set of hydrological date for a reasonable length of time for assessing
the pattern of stream flow at different times in representative years, good as well as
bad, is the most essential requirement for a dependable formulation of
hydroelectric project, be it big or small. Besides the pattern of stream flow, other

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 hydrological inputs required for the designs of project components are design
flood, water quality and sediment transportation. The hydrological date cannot be
acquired by just visiting the site for carrying out discharge measurements for a
short while. It is necessary first to collect the minimum essential data and secondly,
make analysis to establish a reliable flow quantity and other hydro logical inputs.
While for major projects long term measurements and date collection are done on
regular basis, small hydroelectric projects need to acquire satisfactory information
with minimum time and cost.

iii) Assessment of Power Potential & Optimisation of installed

capacity
Determination of power potential of the scheme forms the primary step in the
planning of hydroelectric project. It relates to the assessment to be made of
probable quantum of electrical energy which can be expected to be produced at site
based on characteristic features of the stream flow and head available at site in
years of different degrees of reliability, in different periods of a year etc; and the
generating capacity (KW) which is needed to be provided in the power station in
order to generate the assessed quantity of energy (KWh). This considered
assessment forms the basis for planning of the layout and design of the scheme and
estimation of the cost and evaluation of the financial aspect of the scheme.

Power potential is a function of head and discharge quantity of water at any point
of time and is determined using the formula

P= 9.81*Q*H*efficiency
Where
P= Power output in KW
Q= Discharge in cu m per sec
H- Net head in meters,
Efficiency = overall efficiency
To work out the power potential, the following aspects are to be assessed.
a) Determination of net head (Gross head – head losses)
b) Discharge studies depending upon the scheme to be developed
Viz; Run- off – the river, Storage scheme etc.
c) Optimisation studies for determining thee installed capacity
d) Number of units to be installed
e) Energy generation and sale.

iv) Field Investigations:

Field investigations for hydro electric schemes would comprise of

the following:

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 a) Hydrological investigations: requires collection of date like rainfall &
snowfall, river gauges and discharges, sediment transportation, water quality,
historical data, physical survey information available on the existing works etc.
b) Topographical surveys: Detailed field surveys are to be carried on the basis of
preliminary layout evolved with the help of desk studies of top sheets and/ or
reconnaissance survey, which sets out the location to be surveyed for the
general layout and various features of the scheme. Detailed topographical
survey shall then be carried out for the identified alignment and locations. With
this it would be possible to arrive at the optimum alignment and positioning of
structures. Accurate drawings of existing structures which are linked with the
planned hydroelectric schemes should be obtained and used to necessary co-
ordination.

c) Geological investigations: Extensive geological investigations are required to

be carried out for major hydro schemes as they involve bigger sized
structures .For small hydro schemes which require comparatively small sized
structures, extensive geological investigations are not warranted or considered
necessary. However judicious and careful geological assessment with limited
geological exploration is essential for selecting appropriate alignment.

d) Construction material survey: The availability of required quantity of

construction material like aggregate, sand, boulders etc, of suitable quality for
the works should be assessed and their locations identified by survey of the
project area.
e) Material testing
f) Relevant information of electrical system.

v) Design of civil works:

The design of civil works involves Diversion structures, Intake structures, Water
conductor system, Head pond, Desilting tank, drainage structures, Fore bay
structures, Surplus escape, Penstocks or pressure shafts, Power house or an under
ground (cavern) station, Tail race (some times tail water tunnel), foundation
structures for various machineries and equipments.

vi) Design of electrical equipments:

In a hydro electric power plant complex, the turbine and generator are the basic
equipments which determine the layout and formation of the whole complex both
civil as well as electrical works. The water discharges needed for any input is in
inverse proportion viz; very high for low head turbines and very small for high
head turbines. The prime mover to handle this range of conditions is expectedly
large for low head machines and small for high head machines on physical size.

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a) Hydraulic considerations:
The turbine has vanes, blades or buckets that rotate about an axis by the action of
water. The rotating parts of the turbine or water level are often referred to as the
runner. Rotary action of turbine in turn drives an electric generator that produces
electrical energy or could drive other rotating machinery. Hydraulic turbine
develops torque from the dynamic and pressure action of water

The following are the three main classifications of turbines in use

i. Impulse (pelton) for high heads: These turbines utilize the kinetic energy of a
high velocity jet of water to transform water energy into mechanical energy.

ii.Reaction (Mixed flow, Francis type) for medium heads: These turbines
develop power from the combined action of pressure and kinetic energies of
water. Francis types of turbines are reaction turbines
iii.Reaction (Axial flow, Kaplan, propeller type) for lower heads. Similar to
propeller of a ship, the flow of water being axial passes the blades in a closed
passage. Kaplan turbines are modification of propeller type turbines.
It is pertinent to state here that due to the feature of the prime mover being
dependent on the factor of available head, the size, features and dimensions of
power stations of similar power output but different heads differ over a wide range.
It is therefore, essential to assess the dimensions at the preliminary stage itself.
Only after working out these dimensions and particulars, the layout of power plant
features can be defined.

Following are the steps required to be worked out to estimate the dimensions
turbine and generator which govern the design of layout of the power house:
a) Firm up head & discharge.
b) Calculate ‘P’, Power out put from the equation given in para 3(iii)

Due to variations of net head with load, number of units working etc. a judgment
has to be made in deciding design or rated head, which is the value of head at
which rated output and best efficiency is desired.

After working out the head and discharge and power output, proceed with
selection of type of turbine and estimation of specific and synchronous speed of
the machine, runner discharge diameter, and runner center line. With these data’s,
the dimensions of turbine and generator components can be worked out. These
are the main governing factors in the design of layout of the power house.

In a hydro electric power plant complex, the turbine and generator are the basic
equipments which determine the layout and formation of the whole complex both
civil as well as electrical works. The water discharges needed for any input is in
inverse proportion viz; very high for low head turbines and very small for high
head turbines.

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 The prime mover to handle this range of conditions is expectedly large for low
head machines and small for high head machines on physical size.

The following are the three main classifications of turbines in use

a. Impulse (pelton) for high heads
b. Reaction (Mixed flow, Francis type) for medium heads
c. Reaction (Axial flow, Kaplan, propeller type) for lower heads.

It is pertinent to state here that due to the feature of the prime mover being
dependent on the factor of available head, the size, features and dimensions of
power stations of similar power output but different heads differ over a wide range.
It is therefore, essential to assess the dimensions at the preliminary stage itself.
Only after working out these dimensions and particulars, the layout of power plant
features can be defined.

Following are the steps required to be worked out to estimate the dimensions
turbine and generator which govern the design of layout of the power house:
c) Firm up head & discharge.
d) Calculate ‘P’, Power out put from the equation given in para 3.0(iii)

Due to variations of net head with load, number of units working etc. a judgment
has to be made in deciding the design or rated head, which is the value of head at
which rated output and best efficiency is desired.

After working out the head and discharge and power output, proceed with
selection of type of turbine and estimation of specific and synchronous speed of
the machine, runner discharge diameter, and runner center line. With these data’s,
the dimensions of turbine and generator components can be worked out. These
are the main governing factors in the design of layout of the power house.
b) Selection of type of turbine:
Depends on the head range and head variations as could be seen from the table
below:

Sl Turbine type Range of head Preferred Head Usual load

No for application variation range variation range
(m) (m) (%)
I Impulse
(i) Turgo Impulse 40 200 90 110 40 115
(ii) Pelton 100 500 90 110 40 115
(iii) Cross flow 1 200 60 125 30 115
II Reaction (Francis, Mixed flow)
(i)Francis horizontal, 10 200 65 125 60 115
vertical
(ii) Francis open 2 8 90 110 50 115

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 flume
III Reaction (Axial flow)
(i) Vertical fixed blade 2 25 85 100 80 115
propeller
(ii)Vertical adjustable 16 40 65 125 40 115
propeller (Kaplan)
(iii) Tubular with 2 25 75 115 75 115
adjustable blades and
adjustable gates
(horizontal Kaplan)

(iv) Tubular fixed blade 2 25 85 110 85 115

with adjustable wicket
gates (horizontal
propeller)
(v)Bulb (horizontal 2 25 50 140 30 115
propeller)
(vi)Rim (horizontal 2 25 65 125 85 115
propeller)

c) Electrical Considerations:

Converting water energy to electrical energy at hydro power plants is possible

through the operation and functioning of electrical generators. The phenomena of
producing an electrical current, discovered by Michael Faraday, involves moving a
copper coil through a stationary magnetic field or moving magnet through a copper
coil. In the practical generator, an induced voltage is caused by the magnetic field of
a rotor sweeping the coils of the stator. The rotor of an electric generator in the case
of hydro power development is driven by the rotation of the turbine. Most generators
used in hydropower development are alternating (Ac) synchronous generators.
These require excitation current which is usually provided by a small auxiliary
generator that supplies direct current to create the magnetic field of the rotor.
Important in electrical consideration for synchronous generators is the control of
output. This can be accomplished in two ways. One method of controlling output is
by provided by changing the position of wicket gates, thus changing the water
energy input to the turbine. The other method of power output control is the direct
current (dc) field excitation provided by a separate dc supply or exciter. Through
this excitation there is an increase in field current and magnetic strength by the rotor
poles. The increased magnetic field strength results in an increased generator
internal voltage. This will cause more reactive power to flow from the generator
armature to the electric system.
d) Switching Safety and Electrical control Equipment:

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 Depending upon the size of the hydro plant and whether the plant is to be
automatically or manually operated, the switch gear and control equipments vary
from simple to complex.
e) Other important devices in a hydro power plant are the pressure control, speed
control and governors.
When once the type of turbine is selected, the sizing of its components can be
worked out. Further, the type and dimensions of generator, transformer and other
equipments can be worked out.

vii) Power evacuation:

The proposed hydro electric schemes may be located in plains or hills. It may
supply power to the existing grid or feed an isolated area/ locality. The plan of
power evacuation to be examined with reference to the location where power is to
be fed. The relevant items which would require examination are:

i) Existing voltage of HT line at the point of interconnection

ii) Distance between the power plant and the point of inter
connection to determine the length of HT line
iii) Capacity of the system to evacuate proposed additional power
iv) Existing voltage conditions at the point of interconnection
v) Protections available at the point of interconnection
vi) Communication arrangement with an authorised grid operator
vii) Banking and Wheeling Charges
viii) Power Purchase Agreement.

viii) Cost Estimation:

Most of the hydro electric schemes are constructed through large contractors,
reputed manufacturers, highly qualified & experienced engineers and skilled
workmen. An accurate assessment of the likely cost assumes importance as it will
determine the economic feasibility, and help in preparing the economic feasibility
for techno economic clearance and help in preparing a viable financial plan. There
is no formula which will give precise cost. As the project estimates are made
before the work is done, the estimated cost is only an indication of the order of the
likely cost. The agreement between the estimated and actual cost would depend
substantially upon the accuracy with which the quantities of items are worked out,
analysis of rates are worked out and correct visualisation of the manner in which
the work would be done.

To arrive at the total cost of the project, estimates are generally made for civil
works including hydro mechanical works and generating plant including E&M
works. Further, a general abstract of the project cost indicating the following:
1. Preliminary expenditure. 2 Land and rehabilitation

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 3. Civil works 4.Electrical works
5. Buildings 6 Roads and communications
7. Miscellaneous works 8.Maintenance
9. Plant and equipment 10.Ecology and environment
11. Construction 12 Supervision and establishment

4.0 Infrastructure facilities required for a Hydroelectric Power

Project.

The infrastructure, in other words, major components of hydroelectric power

projects and the working of these components are highlighted in the following
paragraphs.
a) Dam

The dam is the most important component of hydroelectric power plant. In fact
the name ‘dam’ is considered to be synonymous to the hydroelectric power
plant. The dam is built on a large river that has abundant quantity of water
throughout the year. The dam is built at location where the height of the river is
sufficiently high so as to get maximum possible potential energy from water.

b) Water reservoir

Water reservoir is the place behind the dam where water is stored. The water in
the reservoir is located at the height above the rest of the dam structure. The
height of water in the reservoir decides how much potential energy water
possesses. Higher the height of water more is its potential energy. The high
position of water in the reservoir also enables it to move downwards effortlessly
due to gravity. In some schemes, water from the canal may be diverted by a low
weir (usually run-off-river operation) in which case, high weir or high dam may
not be built.

c) Intake or control gates

These are the gates built on the inside of the dam. The water from reservoir is
released and controlled through these gates. These are called inlet gates because
water enters the power generation unit through these gates. When the control
gates are opened the water flows due to gravity through pressure tunnels, Surge
tank and penstock pipes and towards the turbines. The water flowing through the
gates possesses potential as well as kinetic energy.

d) The Head pond:

Head pond (or fore bay) is provided to distribute evenly, over a proper transition,
the water conveyed by the power canal among the penstocks and, at the same

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 time regulate the power flow into the latter, as well to ensure the disposal of
excess water.
e) The penstock

The penstock is the long pipe or the shaft that carries the water flowing from the
reservoir towards the power generation unit that comprises of the turbines and
generator. The water in penstock possesses kinetic energy due to its motion and
potential energy due to its height. The total amount of power generated in the
hydroelectric power plant depends on the height of the water reservoir and the
amount of water flowing through the penstock. The amount of water flowing
through the penstock is controlled by the control gates.

f) Water turbines

The water flowing from the penstock is allowed to enter the power generation unit
that comprises of the turbines and generator. When water falls on the blades of the
turbine the kinetic and potential energy of water is converted into the rotational
motion of the blades of the turbine. Due to rotation of blades the shaft of the
turbine also rotates. The turbine shaft is enclosed inside the generator. There is
large difference in height between the level of turbine and level of water in the
water reservoir. This difference in height, also called as head of water, decides the
total amount of power that can be generated in the hydroelectric power plant.

g) Generators

It is in the generator where the electricity is produced. The shaft of the water
turbine rotates in the generator, which produces alternating current in the coils of
the generator. It is the rotation of the shaft inside the generator that produces
magnetic field which is converted into electricity by electromagnetic field
induction. Hence the rotation of the shaft of the turbine is crucial for the
production of electricity and this is achieved by the kinetic and potential energy of
water. Thus in hydroelectricity power plants potential energy of water is
converted into electricity.

h) Transformer and Switch Yard

The electricity generated inside the generator is not of sufficient voltage. The
transformer is a equipment for converting the power of the generator at a
relatively low voltage to power for transmitting to a remote electrical system at a
high voltage. The transformer comprises of two coils, the supply coil and the
outlet coil. Current is supplied to the supply coil, from where it passes to the
outlet coil. The number of turns in the outlet coil decides the voltage of output
electricity from the transformer. If the numbers of turns in outlet coil are double
of supply coil, the voltage produced is also double. The voltage on the primary
winding depends on the size of the unit, and will be normally at 11KV.

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 The power supply from the transformer is taken through high tension buses at
33/66/110/220/400 KV voltage levels with required switching and protective
equipments and connected to the nation grid, from where the power is distributed
for the domestic and industrial use. The voltage supplied by the main transformer
is very high, while the voltage required for various applications is 110V or 230V.
To reduce the voltage a number of transformers are installed at various locations
that reduce the high voltage from the main windings to the voltage required for
domestic and industrial applications.

i) Tailrace

The water that has been used to rotate the turbine blades and turbines shaft leaves
the power generation unit entering the pipeline called as the tailrace. From here
the water flows into the main river. The height of water in the tailrace is much
below the height of water in the water reservoir behind the dam. The potential
energy of water in the tailrace has been used to generate electricity.

The water flowing out from the tail race joins the natural flow of water. During
the rainy seasons when there is excess water in the dams, it is allowed to overflow
through the gates in water reservoir to the low level natural flow of water. If the
river is very large, then multiple dams can be constructed across the river at
various locations.

j) Power Houses and Facilities;

Powerhouses for hydro plants usually consist of the super structure and the
substructure. The superstructure provides housing for the generator and control
equipment as well as structural support for the cranes including erection bay. The
substructure or foundations of the powerhouses consists of the steel and concrete
components necessary to form the draft tube, support for the turbine, and stay ring,
spiral casing and generator. A control room is also included in a powerhouse to
isolate the same from generator noise and to provide a clean and comfortable
environment for operation. The various types of installations are:

i) Conventional installation
ii) Outdoor and semi outdoor installations-
iii) Horizontal shaft installations.
iv) Underground installations. .

k) Other infrastructure facilities:

Other infrastructure facilities to be taken care of during development planning of a

hydro power project should include water passages & drainage arrangements,
access Roads ( for the project & in project area), transport arrangement, rail head

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 and port facilities, construction power supply requirement, telecommunication
facilities, Project colonies/ buildings, drinking water facilities and fish passages.

l) Layout of Power Stations:

Based on the various features, the powerhouses can be grouped as under:

i) Classification on load characteristics:

a) Isolated plant: A powerhouse that acts independently.
b) Interconnected plant: A powerhouse where it is a part of network.
Such powerhouses can again be further subdivided as:
i) Base load stations:
The power stations operate continuously as a constant power. These
operate at relatively high load factors almost equivalent to firm power
steam stations. These cater for power at the base of the load curve.
ii) Peak Load Plants:
Powerhouses supplying power to clip off the peaks of the load are
called peak load plants. These supplies as and when the power is
needed and hence may not be operating continuously with a resulting
low load factor.
ii) Classification on the capacity of plants:
a) Midget plants Capacity upto 2000 KW
b) Low capacity plants Capacity B/w 2001 to 15000 KW
c) Medium capacity plants Capacity B/w 15001 - 50000 KW
d) High Head plants Over 50000 KW

iii) Classification on Hydraulic Characteristics:

Depending upon the source of water power station, they are classified as:
a) Run-off-the river : They use water available in the Stream.
b) Storage plants : Here water is stored in period flows and utilized
during dry periods.
c) Tidal Plants : Here the rise of water level in tides is used for
generation..
iv) Classification on Type of Power Houses:
Depending upon the super structure, four different types of powerhouses are
possible:
a) Indoor type:
The generators are placed in a machine hall having an indoor crane. The
generator room is fully enclosed and is of sufficient height to permit
transfer of equipment by means of the indoor crane. There may be one
crane of a large capacity, so as to handle the largest possible single piece

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 of equipment involved in the erection and maintenance of the power
plant, or two cranes each of half in capacity with a lifting beam
arrangement, facilitating the handling of the heaviest parts of the
equipment.
b) Semi outdoors type:
The generator room is fully enclosed with a relatively low roof and the
gantry crane, characterized by the outdoor stations transformer
equipment. Hatches are provided in the power stations roof for lowering
and raising the parts during erection and maintenance.
c) Out door type:
In this type there is no generator room and the generators are housed in
individual cubicles, or recessed in the roof deck. The generators have a
removable protecting cover and the crane is of the outside gantry type.

The choice between an outdoor, semi outdoor or indoor type of

powerhouses is dependent on:
a) Level of approach to the power station.
b) Severity of climatic variations at site.
c) Height of tail water level with respect to generator floor.
d) The seismicity of the area.
Power station without the generator hall is preferred in seismic areas. The
outdoor gantry is about 50 to 100%expensive as compared to the crane
inside the power house. With high tail water level conditions, the
downstream wall will have to be made for the protection of generator
against flooding and a semi outdoor or indoor type may be selected
depending upon economics.
d) Under ground power stations:
The power station is sited inside the hill.
. The choice of a power station, as to whether it should be surface or
underground is largely dictated by economic and geological
considerations.
The main advantage of an underground station is its relative economy
as compared to surface station.
Advantages:
i) Little space, ease of construction, access. to which can be easily
established by shafts or tunnels.
ii) Not affected by weather conditions and the construction of
tunnels, shafts and erection work can go on unimpeded by
climatic consideration round the year.
iii) Suitable where valleys are narrow and subjected to landslides.
iv) Savings in Steel in the pipeline.
v) Better suited to seismic areas and protection against bomb attacks.

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 vi) More stable, problems due to foundation are minimised, vibration
and fatigue stresses are considerably reduced.
vii) Can be constructed without surge chambers.
Disadvantages:
i) Costly approaches, ventilations. and cable tunnels and artificial
lighting.
ii) Depressing effect on workers inside unless air conditioning,
adequate lighting and other necessary facilities are provided.

v) Classification based on head:

The classifications based on the operating head on the turbine are:
a) Low head plants Head less than 20m
b) Medium head plants Head b/w 20 to 60m
c) High head plants Head above 60m
a) Low head power stations:
i) Power channel layouts:
This consists of constructing a power channel taking off at the upstream
end of the reach and meeting the stream again at the downstream end of
the power station being located on the channel itself and a low diversion
weir at the head.
ii) Run-off-the-river plants:
This envisages constructing a wier across the river at the downstream end
of the river reach being exploited and locating the power station adjacent
to the weir.
iii) Tidal power plants:
This utilizes the potential hydraulic power originating from the tidal
cycles of the sea. The rise in the water level during the tide period in a
sea and a fall during the ebb can be used for generation of power.
b) High head plants:
The development of high heads for power generation is possible either by:
i) Utilizing natural water falls in the stream as at Jog falls in India. and
Niagara falls in both Canada & U.S.A.
ii) By the construction of high dams.
iii) By cutting across water shed, when adjacent valley may be lower as
instanced by the koyna development in Maharastra or by short circuiting
long reaches of the same river having steep slopes as in the case of
yamuna hydroelectric stage ii in U.P.
c) Power stations below the dam:

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 Power stations are located at the toe of the dam where suitable foundations are
available and the only head to be utilized is due to the creation of the dam.
The most common arrangement is to feed turbine by a separate penstock
which is embedded inside the dam, provision for trash racks and gates etc.
being done at the upstream of the dam. The power station building is
separated from the dam by ah expansion joint but galleries are made at the toe
of the dam for housing power station accessories and cables etc. Often the
space between the dam and power house is used for locating the transformers.,
d) Power stations are located at the end of tunnel and penstock:
Majority of high head power stations are located at the end of tunnel and
penstock. Water is taken out of the reservoir through tunnels which carry the
water at a flat gradient close to the power station. The connection at the end of
the tunnel to the machine is done through pressure penstocks which may be
exposed
The structures required for this type are:
i) Intake structure.
ii) Tunnel carrying water.
iii) Surge tank
iv) Valve on each penstock at the end of penstock downstream of surge
tank for isolating penstocks.
v) Penstocks for each machine individually or for group with branches.
vi) Supports for penstock and anchor blocks.
vii) Valve at the power station of each branch of the penstock.
viii) Power stations.
ix) Tailrace or open channel.
In the case of underground stations, the power station comprises three separate
halls, one for the valves at the upstream, a central one for the machines and a
hall for the transformers down stream. One hall alone will need a large
opening, which is avoided. The valve hall is connected by a bye pass to the
tailrace so that in case of any break down of the penstock or valve, water pass
to the tailrace and the power station will be saved from flooding.
e) Pumped Storage Plants:
The pumped storage plants operate on the principle that the machines are used
for generation of power during peak load when power is given to the net work
and for pumping water back into the reservoir during off peak periods. The
provision is based on economics of operation and the availability of enough
spare capacity in the grid to operate the machines as pump in the low load
periods.
vi) Powerhouses and facilities:

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 Powerhouses for hydro plants usually consist of the super structure and the
substructure. The superstructure provides housing for the generator and control
equipment as well as structural support for the cranes including erection bay.
The substructure or foundations of the powerhouses consists of the steel and
concrete components necessary to form the draft tube, support for the turbine, stay
ring, spiral casing and generator.
A control room is also included in a powerhouse to isolate the same from
generator noise and to provide a clean and comfortable environment for operation.
The various types of installations are:
a) Conventional installation.
b) Outdoor and semi outdoor installations.
c) Horizontal shaft installations.
d) Underground installations.
Other infrastructure facilities to be taken care of during development planning
of a hydro power project should include water passages & drainage
arrangements, access Roads in project area, transport arrangement, rail head
and port facilities, construction power supply requirement, telecommunication
facilities, Project colonies/ buildings, drinking water facilities and fish
passages.
5.0 Equipments provided in the layout of the powerhouse:

a) Hydraulic equipments-
Turbines, Gates and valves, Relief valves for penstocks, Governors and
Flow measuring devices.

b) Electrical equipments
Generators, Exciters, Transformers, pumps and cooling system,
connections and Plat form.
c) Switching equipments
Low-tension buses, Switchboard panels, Switchboard equipments and
instruments, Oil switches and Reactors.

d) High Tension system

Buses, Circuit breakers, Current &Potential transformers, Lightning
arrestors, Isolators, Outgoing connections

e) Auxiliaries
Control and Relay protection, Power and Control Cables, Earthing System,
Storage batteries & Station lighting

f) Hydro Mechanical Equipment:

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 Intake at diversion structure, Desilting tank, Penstock, Fore bay, Surge
Draft tube, Trash rack, By pass & Surplus escape.
g) Auxiliary systems
De-watering, filling, drainage system, Cooling and service water system,
Fire alarm & protection system, Lubricating& insulating oil system
Compressed air system, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems
Flow, pressure & level measuring system, Machine shop equipment.
Cranes, Emergency power system & Office rooms and Stores.

6.0 Single line diagram of electrical system:

A single line diagrams indicating various control and protection, transformer, aux.
transformer, paralleling of units, all indications, instrumentation, sychronising
arrangement, ways to get outside power supply, manner of connection to grid is to
be prepared in the preliminary stage itself to know the scheme of electrical system.

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Schematic Layout of a Hydroelectric Project

Diversion Structure

Head Regulator/Canal Intake

Power Canal Penstock Intake

Powerhouse

Penstocks Tailpond

Tailrace

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Components of a Hydro Electric Power Project

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Basic components of a conventional hydropower plant

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Major parts of Turbine- Generator

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