Hydroelectric energy is one of the most important renewable energies and has many advantages over other sources of electricity production, including the clean source of energy production, reservoir creation, and water resources for local use and prevention of accidents such as flooding.
Hydroelectric plants have various sizes. They have made for a house, village, or massive hydroelectric power projects.
The hydroelectric facility has three types:
- Impoundment facilities
- Diversion facilities
- Pumping facilities
The following is a brief description of the types of facilities.
1- Impoundment facilities
The most common type of hydropower plants is impoundment facilities. Large hydroelectric systems typically use a reservoir to store river water. The water released from this reservoir flows through a turbine and rotates it. This movement activates the generator and generates electricity.
2- Diversion facilities
This type of power plant generates electricity without damaging the environment by diverting water flow.
In these facilities, there is no need to use dams and water tanks, and part of the river is directed through the canal to hydroelectric turbines, and then this water flow returns to the main course of the river.
3- Pumping facilities
Another type of hydropower plant facility is the pumping facility. In this facility, using pumping, the water in the downstream tank (with lower elevation) is transferred to the upstream tank (with higher elevation). In the path of this transmission are water turbines that generate electricity. In this method, water is constantly circulating between the upstream and downstream reservoirs.
The advantage of this method over other methods is that it generates electricity with less water.
Size of hydropower plant facilities
Hydropower facilities come in a wide range of sizes; from enormous power plants that supply electricity to many consumers to small personal power plants that meet home needs or sell it to power companies.
- Large hydropower plants
The Energy Agency defines facilities with a generating capacity of more than 30 MW as large hydropower plants.
- Small hydropower plants
The Energy Agency also defines facilities with a production capacity of 10 MW or fewer as small hydropower plants.
- Micro hydropower plants
A micro-hydropower plant can generate up to 100 KW of electricity. This power plant can supply electricity to a house, farm, or village.
Water plus energy
Undoubtedly, we have all enjoyed the blessings of water. In addition to meeting personal needs, this source also uses to generate electricity. One of the renewable and environmentally friendly sources is hydropower plants.
At the top, we briefly explained the different types and methods of the hydroelectric facility. Be with us for more information.
Source: https://www.energy.gov