Hydroelectric Power Plant

Hydroelectric Power Plant (HEPP) works by changing the potential energy (of the dam or waterfall) into mechanical energy (with the help of water turbines) and of the mechanical energy into electrical energy (with the help of a generator). Components - the basic component in the form of hydropower dams, turbines, generators and transmission.

Dam / reservoir serves to accommodate the large amounts of water for turbines require a supply of water sufficient and stable. In addition dam also serves to control flooding. examples Jatiluhur reservoir with a capacity of 3 billion cubic feet of water with an effective volume of 2.6 billion cubic.

Turbine serves to convert potential energy into mechanical energy. Water will hit milk - blades of the turbine so that the turbine rotates. Rotation of the turbine is connected to a generator. The turbine consists of various types such as Francis turbines, Kaplan, Pelton, etc.

Generator connected to the turbine with the help of the shaft and gearbox. Utilizing rotation turbine to rotate the magnetic coil in the generator so that the movement of electrons that generates AC current.

Transformer / transformers are used to increase the voltage alternating current (AC) electricity that is not a lot of wasted current flow through the transmission. Travo used is a step-up transformer.

Transmission is useful to generate electricity from hydropower to home - home or industry. Before the electricity we use in lower voltage again with a step-down transformer.

Conventional hydroelectric plant works by drain water from the dam to the turbine after the water discharged. Nowadays there is a new technology known as pumped-storage plant.

Pumped-storage plant has two reservoirs, namely:

1. Main Reservoir (upper reservoir) as in conventional hydropower dam. Water flowed directly to a turbine to generate electricity.

2. Reservoir reserve (lower reservoir). The water coming out of the turbine are accommodated in the lower reservoir before discharge in the river.

At the time of peak load in the lower reservoir water will be pumped to the upper reservoir so that the water reserve in the primary reservoir remains stable.

Hydropower capacity around the world there are about 675,000 MW, equivalent to 3.6 billion barrels of oil or equal to 24% of the world's electricity is used by over 1 billion people.

Hydroelectric energy change resulting force of falling water to generate electricity. Turbines convert the kinetic energy of falling water into mechanical power. Then a generator converts the mechanical power from the turbine into electrical energy.

Hydroelectric various types, ranging form "micro-hydro" with the ability mensupalai for some home up shaped like a giant Karangkates dam that provides electricity to millions of people. Photo below shows the hydropower in the Wisconsin River, is a type of medium-sized hydroelectric power capable of supplying electricity to 8,000 people.

The workings of the hydroelectric plant

Hydropower plant components and How it works:

1. Dam, serves to raise the water level of the river to create a high fall of water. In addition to saving water, the dam was also built with the aim to save energy.

Dam

                    

2. Turbine, the force of falling water that drives the propeller causing the turbine to spin. Water turbine much like a windmill, to replace the function of wind thrust to rotate the propeller replaced the water to turn turbines. The turbine transform kinetic energy caused by force of falling water into mechanical energy.

3. Generator, connected with the turbine through gears rotate so that when the propeller turbine rotates the generator also rotates. Generator subsequently change the mechanical energy from the turbine into electrical energy. Hydropower Generator at work as well as other power generators.

           Turbines And Generators

4. Transmission Line, serves to distribute electrical energy from hydropower to the homes and industrial center.

 

                 Transmission Line

5. Pipe rapidly (penstock), serves to channel and direct the water to the turbine chimney. One end of the pipe rapidly mounted on sedative bath at least 10 cm above the ground floor like a sedative. While the other end is directed at the turbine chimney. In the section of pipe that comes out of the tub rapid sedative, installed air pipe (Air Vent) as high as 1 m above the water surface like a sedative. Installation of air pipes is intended to prevent the occurrence of low pressure (Low Pressure) when rapidly clogged pipe end portion. This low pressure will result in rupture of the pipe rapidly. Another function of the air pipes to help remove the air from inside the pipe rapidly during the initial start MHP began to operate. Air pipe diameter ± ½ inch.

Penstock Pipe