Electric Production from a Hydroelectric Power Plant

There are major elements included in the production of electricity from a hydroelectric power plant such as volume of water (Q), head/elevation (H), a turbine and a generator. The San Roque Hydroelectric Power Plant (SRHEPP) includes a massive dam creating a reservoir that impounds large amounts of water that can be used for sustained power generation. This classifies SRHEPP as a large hydroelectric power plant as compared to mini or small hydroelectric power plants.

A hydroelectric power plant produces electricity by harnessing the potential energy of the water from the reservoir as well as the kinetic energy of flowing water in the power tunnel or penstock. This energy is converted to rotational mechanical energy as the moving water turn the water turbine. The rotor turns at the same time with the turbine as they are directly coupled. As the rotor rotates, its magnetic flux is cut by the wires in the stator. This process converts the mechanical energy to electrical energy. The electricity flows to the switchyard where the voltage is increased to transmission levels for long distance transport of electricity. The distribution utilities then send the electricity to the consumers at a reduced voltage.

 Click the image t0 view Technical Features of SRHEPP.

Just like other large power plants do, a hydroelectric power plant supplies its generation output to the grid. The grid acts like a large basin of water where all water supplies are fed and where all water needs are drawn from. Households cannot use directly the power output from the power plants as the voltage output are extremely high, i.e., at the level of thousands of volts. It is the job of the distribution utilities to reduce these voltages for household use.