The principle of operation of a hydroelectric power plant. Encyclopedia of radio electronics and electrical engineering

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The principle of operation of a hydroelectric power station is quite simple. The hydrotechnical structures of the hydroelectric power station provide the necessary flow of water that enters the blades of the hydroturbine, which leads to a generator that generates electricity.

Fig.1. Scheme of one of the types of hydraulic turbines

The necessary water pressure is formed by a dam (in the case of a dam-type hydroelectric power station) or by diversion - a natural flow of water (derivative hydroelectric power plants). In some cases, both a dam and a derivation are used together to obtain the necessary water pressure:

• dam HPPs (Fig. 2). These are the most common types of large hydroelectric power plants in Kyrgyzstan. The water pressure in them is created by installing a dam that completely blocks the river and raises the water level in it to the required height. In this case, the HPP building itself is located behind the dam, in its lower part. Water, in this case, is supplied to the turbines through special pressure tunnels.
• diversion HPPs (Fig. 3). Such power plants are built in those places where there is a slope of the river. The required amount of water to create pressure is diverted from the river channel through special drainage systems (channels, branches, ditches). Their slope is much less than the average slope of the river. As a result, water, after a certain distance, rises to the required height and collects in a pressure basin. From there, through a pressure pipeline, water enters the turbine and, as a result, falls back into the same river. In some cases, a dam and a small reservoir are created at the beginning of the diversion channel.

Rice. 2. Hydroelectric dam type

Rice. 3. Hydroelectric power station of diversion type

All power equipment is located directly in the building of the HPP. Depending on the purpose, it has its own specific division. Hydrogenerators are located in the engine room, directly converting water energy into electrical energy. There is also electrical equipment, which includes control and monitoring devices for the operation of hydroelectric power stations, a transformer station, switchgears and much more.

Hydroelectric stations are divided depending on the power generated:

• powerful - produce from 30 MW and above;
• small HPPs - from 1 MW to 30 MW;
• mini HPP - from 100 kW to 1 MW;
• micro HPP - from 5 kW to 100 kW;
• pico hydroelectric power station - up to 5 kW.

The power of a hydroelectric power station depends on the pressure and flow of water, as well as on the efficiency (efficiency factor) of the turbines and generators used. Due to the fact that, for natural reasons, the water consumption is constantly changing, depending on the season, and also for a number of other reasons, it is customary to take cyclic power as an expression for the power of a hydroelectric station. For example, there are annual, monthly, weekly or daily cycles of operation of a hydroelectric power station.

Depending on the flow and pressure of water, various types of turbines are used in hydroelectric power plants. For high-pressure - bucket and radial-axial turbines with metal spiral chambers. At medium-pressure HPPs, rotary-blade and radial-axial turbines are installed, at low-pressure - rotary-blade turbines in reinforced concrete or steel chambers. The principle of operation of all types of turbines is the same - water under pressure (water pressure) enters the turbine blades, which begin to rotate. Mechanical energy is thus transferred to the generator, which generates electricity. Turbines differ in some technical characteristics, as well as chambers - steel or reinforced concrete, and are designed for different water pressures.

HPPs, depending on their purpose, may also include additional structures, such as locks, fish passages, water intake facilities used for irrigation, and much more.

The value of hydropower plants lies in the fact that they use renewable natural resources to produce electricity. Due to the fact that there is no need for additional fuel for hydroelectric power plants, the final cost of the generated electricity is much lower than when using other types of power plants.

Features of hydroelectric power plants (pros and cons)

• (+) the cost of electricity at hydroelectric power plants is more than two times lower than at thermal power plants.
• (+) HPP turbines allow operation in all modes from zero to maximum power and allow you to quickly change power if necessary, acting as a regulator of electricity generation.
• (+) river flow is a renewable energy source
• (+) significantly less impact on the air and glaciers than other types of power plants.
• (-) often effective HPPs are more remote from consumers and require the construction of expensive power lines (TL).
• (-) reservoirs often occupy large areas.
• (-) dams often change the nature of fisheries, as they block the path to spawning grounds for migratory fish, but often favor the increase in fish stocks in the reservoir itself and the implementation of fish farming.

Authors: Kartanbaev B.A., Zhumadilov K.A., Zazulsky A.A.

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