Question:
At a hydroelectric power plant, the water pressure head is at a height of 300 m and the water flow available is 100 m3 s−1. If the turbine generator efficiency is 60%, estimate the electric power available from the plant (g= 9.8 m s−2).
Solution:
Height of water pressure head, h = 300 m
Volume of water flow per second, V = 100 m3/s
Efficiency of turbine generator, n = 60% = 0.6
Acceleration due to gravity, g = 9.8 m/s2
Density of water, ρ = 103 kg/m3
Electric power available from the plant = η × hρgV
= 0.6 × 300 × 103 × 9.8 × 100
= 176.4 × 106 W
= 176.4 MW