Hydroelectric power plant, principle of operation, design and components

Hydroelectric power plant, principle of operation, construction and components.

 

 

Hydroelectric power plant (HPP) is a complex technological system, whose ultimate goal is obtaining power from the river watercourse.

 

Hydropower is an alternative way of obtaining cheap energy

Hydroelectric power as a hydraulic structure

The principle of operation of the power station

The design and components of hydroelectric power

Classification of hydroelectric power plants

The pros and cons, advantages and disadvantages of hydroelectric power plants

Prospects for the use of hydroelectric power plants

The largest hydroelectric plant in the world

The largest hydropower plant in Russia

 


Hydropower is an alternative way of getting cheaper energy:

At all stages of its development, human civilization desperately needed sources of cheap energyto heat homes and to maintain a simple production operation craft folk. The main sources of energy treated heat energy obtained from combustion of wood, peat, coal and derivatives of hydrocarbons without recycling.

However, to obtain thermal energy was necessary to have adequate supplies of raw materials. In other words, in the home of a peasant who lived in the middle ages, fire was burning, and in the oven of an artisan was attended by a fever, you had to harvest wood or to have the necessary supply of coal. Fuel demand continued to grow, necessitating the construction of coal mines, has led to deforestation and to improve the production of hydrocarbons.

Despite traditional notions, formed in the scientific community for centuries, always there was a real alternative to conventional sources of energy. We are talking about hydropower, which is hidden inside a moving water flows. In fact, the amount of power concentrated in the fluvial watercourses, and tidal movements of natural waters is immense. The most promising option for obtaining cheap energy is the transformation of internal potential in the electric resource, due to the difference of flow levels. Until the mid XIX century large spread of water wheels, the transformative power of falling water into mechanical energy of the rotating shaft. The working principle of the water wheel was widely used in the water mills, in the work of the blacksmith’s hammer and bellows. In the following, replaced water wheels came with a more productive turbine with high efficiency.

In the first half of the last century in many developed countries of the world begin to build a unique hydraulic structure – hydroelectric power plants (HPP). It is believed that in Russia, the first hydroelectric power plant was built on the river Berezovka in Rudny Altai in 1892. Berezovskaya hydroelectric power plant 200 KW provides electricity to the mine water system of the Zyryanovsk mine.

 

Hydroelectric power plant (HPP) as a hydraulic structure:

Today, there are several definitions of a hydroelectric power plant (HPP). The most common wording of this definition should include the following:

Hydroelectric power plant (HPP) is a complex technological system, whose ultimate goal is obtaining power from the river watercourse.

Or, for example, is:

Hydroelectric power plant (HPP) and power plant, as an energy source using the energy of water flow.

It is obvious that the main condition for the operation of the power station is the observance of several factors:

a) the flow of large volumes of water all year round

b) the maximum slope of the river relief to allow the water mass to tumble and fall down.

Hydropower plants (HPP) built on the rivers to have access to a renewable water source.

For the smooth and stable operation of the plant necessary reserve supply of water, concentrated in the reservoir. Thanks to the artificial reservoir with the specified volume of water mass you can adjust the power of the water flow. To obtain a reservoir with clearly defined boundaries, erect the dam, which blocks the watercourse.

Hydroelectric power is one of the types of hydraulic structures that are erected by man for the purpose of rational use of water resources. Hydraulic structures have specific functional purpose, however, all of the varieties served by water flows.

Types of hydraulic structures are numerous: it is actually a hydroelectric power plant, ship lift, the gateway, dam, drainage system, breakwater, pier, dam.

Thus, the hydroelectric plant should be considered as one of the types of structures erected by man on the river watercourse.

According to its mission, hydroelectric power plant (HPP) is a hydraulic structure that uses a huge mass of falling water to generate electricity.

When deciding on the construction of the HPP taking into account the potential of natural river stream to the supply of sufficient water resource. In addition, at this stage should be to thoroughly study the peculiarities of local relief, which can significantly affect the capacity of the station.

 

The principle of operation of the power station:

In a simplified understanding of the working principle of hydroelectric power plant can be represented as follows. Necessary for the operation of the power station the water flow is supplied by several waterworks. The pressure of the water mass pushes on the blades of the turbines, which are set in rotational motion. Since the beginning of the rotation of the blades, the mechanical energy is transmitted to the generators which in turn produce electricity.

 

Design and components of a hydropower plant. The engine room. Turbines. The current generators. Hydro. Dam (dam). Surge tank:

One of the Central premises of the power plant is the turbine hall, which houses the basic power equipment. Under the engine room, a large room, located in the lower part of the object. In the hall on a special concrete base is a whole system of hydroelectric generators, which in turn consist of turbines and generators. The water flow supplied to the turbine, forcing the blades to spin, causing the generators begin to produce current.

Length of the machine room depends on the number of turbines located here. The hall is equipped with a bridge crane, due to which there is a periodic replacement of worn equipment, i.e. turbines and generators current. The turbines, produced by the domestic industry, designed for different water pressure, so selected for a particular hydroelectric power station taking into account the calculated power. The work of turbines and generators controls a duty shift of operators from other premises, located in the powerhouse.

Analyzing the many controversial aspects of the hydropower plant, you can not miss the appointment of a separate waterworks, without which the conversion process of mechanical energy, in principle, impossible. Among the most important hydraulic structures should include a dam (the dam).

The main purpose of the dam – the deliberate overlap of the river channel with the diversion of the watercourse via a closed channel or an artificial channel in the direction of the hydroelectric plant. The dam, together with the plant form a complex hydraulic structure – the dam. As a result of damming of the watercourse of the river formed a large enough reservoir, the level of which can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing pressure release. In the mountainous areas are built solid dam that completely blocks the river-bed. To great pressure of falling water requirements to the weight of the dam, increasing its strength. That’s why during the construction of mountain dams use concrete (reinforced concrete) Foundation. Sufficient reliability feature stone dam, built of thick rock or high strength solid bricks.

Obviously, to ensure the smooth operation of HPP is necessary to maintain pressure within the prescribed limits. Therefore, the water flows to the turbines, pre-concentrated in a surge tank. This approach is relevant for power plants built on rivers with natural flow of water masses which do not change throughout the year. For river water bodies with unstable flow rate required the construction of a dam with the formation of clear boundaries of the reservoir, which is accompanied by a rise in water level.

Trouble-free continuous operation of the HPP provides a control device and control station.

Equally important is additional equipment the transformer substation and switchgear.

From the well-coordinated work of all systems and devices depends on the safety operation of power plant. Due to the complexity initiated by operations and production schedules increases the responsibility of the steering apparatus and maintenance personnel for trouble-free operation of the entire facility.

 

Classification of hydroelectric power plants. Types of hydropower plants:

Depending on the degree of pressure of the water masses are distinguished:

– low-pressure hydropower plant (height of the pressure here varies from 3 to 25 meters), this sets Kaplan turbine;

– srednemotornoy hydropower plant (height of pressure there may be in the range of 25-60 metres), in this practice the installation of the turbines axial and radial and rotary axis type;

– high-pressure hydropower plant (height of power more than 60 meters), it uses a turbine bucket and radial-axial type.

Depending on the capacity of generated electricity are:

– HES a great capacity of over 25 MW;

– Hydroelectric power station of average capacity less than 25 MW;

– low-power hydroelectric power station whose capacity does not exceed 5 MW.

Depending on the principle use of the water resource, there are:

– dam station electricity generation. GES of this type is the most common option. Dam (the dam) is being built with the aim of dividing the river bed and raise the level of water to generate the required pressure. Water is supplied to the turbine directly from the created reservoir. Scope – abundant rivers in the plains and mountain river with narrow channel;

– dam station. GES of this type are built with the aim of obtaining high pressure. The dam completely blocks the river-bed, and water is supplied through a special channel to the hydraulic turbines located in the lower part of the HPP;

station derivative type, constructed in areas with high slope the river. Water is diverted to the power house through the drains. Derivational hydroelectric power station can be with the pressure derivation, unconfined, or mixed type;

– pumped-storage plants. Station of the kind in normal circumstances can accumulate the generated electricity, and at peak loads to give to the system to maintain station operational.

– Daisy free-flowing station. The principle of operation of such a station as follows: in river flow across the channel (angle) falls a rope strung with rotors that are under the influence of currents to produce electricity. This type of HPP is an example of the potential transformation of the water mass into electric energy without the construction of the dam.

 

The pros and cons, the advantages and disadvantages of hydroelectric power plants. Environmental impacts from hydropower plants:

The advantages of using hydropower include:

the low cost of received energy resource (cost of energy received at hydroelectric power plants is significantly lower than thermal power plants);

– the use of inexhaustible green energy of nature;

– absence of harmful emissions into the atmosphere;

– a quick set of power after the launch station;

increase opportunities for industrial breeding of fish.

The disadvantages of hydropower include:

– the risks of accidents hydraulic structures built in mountain areas with high seismicity;

ecological issues specific to large reservoirs associated with periodic decrease of water (a decrease in trophic chains, pollution of water, depletion of biomass, disappearance of nesting grounds, migratory birds, elimination of invertebrates);

– the flooding of the fertile areas of the lowlands with the loss of opportunities for exploitation.

 

Prospects for the use of hydroelectric power plants:

Today, hydropower is a very promising direction of development of the energy sector in the States. Unlike nuclear power, hydropower is more preferable because it carries less risk of accidents and harm to all living things. Many Western countries are closing nuclear projects, preferring the more secure and environmentally friendly technologies to produce cheap energy.

However, hydropower development has been hampered by several factors:

a) the need for increased production of the turbines;

b) the lack of financing of hydropower projects;

C) the remoteness of hydro plants from cities and populated areas, which affects the transfer efficiency of energy resource.

The impetus for the development of hydropower may be to improve technology accumulation and transfer of electricity over large distances.

 

The largest (large) hydroelectric power station in the world:

No. Name Country River Year of start/completion (upgrading) Power (MW) Output per year, billion kWh The area of the reservoir. (km2)
1 Three gorges China Yangtze 2003/2007/2012 22 500 98,1 632
2 Baihetan (under construction) China Yangtze 2021(?) 16 000* 60,24 ?
3 Itaipu Brazil

/ Paraguay

Paraná 1984/1991/2003 14 000 98,6] 1 350
4 Silado China Yangtze 2014 13 860 55,2 108
5 Belo Monty

(under construction)

Brazil Shingu 2016/2019(?) 11 233* 39,5 448
6 Guri Venezuela Caroni 1978/1986 10 235 Of 53.41 4 250
7 Uganda

(under construction)

China Yangtze 2018/2020(?) 10 200* ? ?
8 Tucurui Brazil Tocantins 1984/2007 8 370 41,43 3 014
9 Tsang

(construction stopped)

Myanmar The Salween ??? 7 110* 35,45 870
10 Grand Coulee USA Colombia 1942/1980/1985 6 809 20 324
11 Hydase

(under construction)

Ethiopia Blue Nile 2018/2022(?) 6 450* 16,15 1 562
12 Sansaba China Yangtze 2012/2014 6 448 30,8 95,6
13 Longtan China Junsuina 2007/2009 6 426 18,7 ?
14 The Sayano-Shushenskaya Russia Enisey 1985/1989 6 400 24 621
15 Tarbela (built in the 4th and 5th stage) Pakistan Ind 1976/2018/2023 4 888

/ 6 298**

13 250
16 Krasnoyarsk Russia Enisey 1967/1971 6 000 20,4 2 000
17 Mojado China Mekong 2012/2014 5 850 23,9 320
18 Robert-Bourassa Canada

(Quebec)

La Grande 1979/1981 5 616 26,5 2 835
19 Falls Churchill Canada

(Newfoundland

and Labrador)

Churchill 1971/1974 5 428 35 6 988
20 Jinping-II China Luntzian 2012/2014 4 800 ? ?
21 Fraternal Russia Hangar 1961/1966 4 530 22,6 5 426
22 Places-Bhasa

(under construction)

Pakistan Ind 2023(?) 4 500* 19,03 112
23 Das

(under construction)

Pakistan Ind 2023(?) 4 320* ? ?
24 Lasia China Yellow 2010 4 200 10,23 ?
25 Saawan China Mekong 2010 4 200 19 190
26 Yacyretá dam Argentina

/ Paraguay

Paraná 1998/2011 3 850 20,09 1 695
27 Ust-Ilimsk Russia Hangar 1980 3 840 21,7 1 833
28 Jirau Brazil Madeira 2013/2016 3 750 19,2 258
29 Jinping-I China Luntzian 2014 3 600 16-18 ?
30 Rogun

(under construction)

Tajikistan Vakhsh 2018/2024(?) 3 600* 13,8 ?
31 Myitsone

(construction stopped)

Myanmar The Irrawaddy ??? 3 600* Of 16.63 766
32 Santo Antonio Brazil Madeira 2012/2016 3 568,3 21,3 421
33 Ilha Solteira Brazil Paraná 1974 3 444 17,9 1 195
34 Artane China Luntzian 1999 3 300 17 101
35 Pubugou China Daduhe 2009/2010 3 300 14,6 ?
36 Macagua Venezuela Caroni 1961/1996/2015 3 245 15,2 47,4
37 Shingo Brazil San Francisco 1994/1997 3 162 18,7 60
38 Nurek Tajikistan Vakhsh 1979/1988 3 015 13,2 98
39 Goupitan China Wu 2009/2011 3 000 Of 9.67 94,3
40 Guanyinyan China Yangtze 2014/2016 3 000 ? ?
41 Lianghekou

(under construction)

China Luntzian 2021/2023(?) 3 000* ? ?
42 Boguchanskaya Russia Hangar 2012/2014 2 997 17,6 2 326
43 Dam Bennett Canada

(British Columbia)

IPR 1968/2012 2 917 13,1 1 761
44 Mika Canada

(British Columbia)

Colombia 1973/2015 2 805 7,2 430
45 La Grande-4 Canada

(Quebec)

La Grande 1986 2 779 ? 765
46 Volga Russia Volga 1961/2025 2 744,5 To 10.43 3 117
47 Imperial China Yangtze 1988 2 715 17,01 ?
48 Dam chief Joseph USA Colombia 1958/1973/1979 2 620 12,5 34
49 Dagangan China Daduhe 2015/2016 2 600 11,43 ?
50 Changba China Daduhe 2016/2017 2 600 To 8.34 ?
51 Daniel-Johnson Canada

(Quebec)

Manicouagan 1970/1989 2 592 ? 1 942
52 them. Robert Moses USA Niagara 1961 2 525 ?
53 Zhigulevsk Russia Volga 1957/2018 2 488 11,7 6 450
54 Revelstoke Canada

(British Columbia)

Colombia 1984/2011 2 480 ? 115
55 Paulo Afonso IV Brazil San Francisco 1979/1983 2 462 ?
56 Ituango

(under construction)

Colombia Cauca 2018(?) 2 456* 9,2 38
57 them. Manuel Torres

/ Chicoasen

Mexico Grijalva

(Sumidero canyon)

1980/2005 2 430 ? ?
58 La Grande-3 Canada

(Quebec)

La Grande 1984 2 418 ? 2 420
59 The Atatürk Dam Turkey The Euphrates 1993 2 400 8,9 817
60 Teri

(under construction)

India Bhagirathi 2006/2018 2 400 6,53 52
61 Jinanqiao China Yangtze 2010 2 400 ? ?
62 Sonla Vietnam Yes 2010/2012 2 400 10,25 440
63 Bakun Malaysia The ball 2011 2 400 ? 695
64 Liyuan China Yangtze 2014/2015 2 400 ? 14,7
65 Guandi China Luntzian 2012/2013 2 400 ? ?
66 Tacoma

(under construction)

Venezuela Caroni 2016/2018(?) 2 320* 12,1 87
67 Karun-3 Iran Karun 2005 2 280 4,17 48
68 Iron Gate-I Romania

/ Serbia

The Danube 1970/2013 2 254,8 11,3 104
69 Maerdang

(under construction)

China Yellow 2016/2018(?) 2 200* ? ?
70 Dam Of John Dey USA Colombia 1971 2 160 To 8.41 ?
71 Karachi Venezuela Caroni 2006 2 160 12,95 238
72 Was ludila China Yangtze 2014 2 160 ? ?
73 La Grande-2-A Canada

(Quebec)

La Grande 1992 2 106 ? 2 835
74 Aswan Egypt Neil 1970 2 100 11 5 250
75 Itumbiara Brazil Paranaiba 1980 2 082 ? 778
76 The Hoover Dam USA Colorado 1939/1961 2 080 4 639
77 Of Kahor-Bass Mozambique Zambezi 1975/1977 2 075 ? 2 039
78 Laukaa

(under construction)

Angola Kwanzaa 2018(?) 2 069,5* 8,64 188
79 Bureyskaya Russia Bureya 2003/2009 2 010 5,07 740
80 Lizzara China Yellow 1997/2000 2 000 ? 383
81 Karun-1 Iran Karun 1976/1995/2006 2 000 ? 54,8
82 Karun-2 Iran Karun 2002/2007 2 000 3.7 V 7,49
83 Ahai China Yangtze 2012/2014 2 000 Of 8.89 23,4
84 Gotvand

(under construction)

Iran Karun 2012/2018(?) 2 000* 4,5 96,5
85 Subansiri

(under construction)

India Subansiri 2016/2018(?) 2 000* 7,42 33,5
86 Shuangjiangkou

(under construction)

China Daduhe 2018(?) 2 000* To 8.34 ?

 

Note:

* – specified design capacity

** – indicated power after completion.

 

The largest hydropower plant in Russia:

As of 2017 in Russia have 15 existing hydropower plants of over 1000 MW, and more than a hundred hydroelectric power plants with smaller capacity.

Name Power
GW
Average annual
generation, billion kWh
River
The Sayano-Shushenskaya HPP 6,40 23,50 Yenisei river, the city of Sayanogorsk
The Krasnoyarsk hydroelectric power station 6,00 20,40 the Yenisei river, Divnogorsk
The Bratsk hydroelectric power station Of 4.52 Of 22.60 Angara river, Bratsk
Ust-Ilim hydroelectric station 3,84 Of 21.70 Angara river, Ust-Ilim
Boguchanskaya HPP Of 3.00 17,60 Angara river, the city of Kodinsk
The Volga hydroelectric power station Of 2.66 11,63 the Volga river, Volgograd and Volzhsky (hydroelectric dam located between the cities)
Zhigulevskaya hydropower plant 2,46 10,34 the Volga, Zhigulevsk
Bureyskaya HPP 2,01 7,10 R. Bureya, village of Talakan
Cheboksarskaya HPP Of 1.40 (0,8)* 3,50 (2,2)* the Volga river, the city of Novocheboksarsk
The Saratov hydroelectric power station 1,40 5,7 the Volga river, Balakovo
The Zeya hydroelectric station 1,33 Of 4.91 R. Zee, G. see
Nizhnekamsk HPP 1,25 (0,45)* Of 2.67 (1,8)* Kama river, Naberezhnye Chelny
Zagorskaya GAES 1,20 1,95 R. Cunha, the settlement of Bogorodskoe
Votkinskaya GES Of 1.04 2,28 R. Kama, Tchaikovsky
Chirkey hydropower station Of 1.00 1,74 R. Sulak, and p. oaks

 

Note:

* – project listed (actual) power / average annual generation.

 

Note: © Photo //www.pexels.com, //pixabay.com

Source: //ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Крупнейшие_ГЭС_в_мире,

//ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Гидроэлектростанция#Крупнейшие_ГЭС