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The document discusses different types of hydropower plants including small-scale hydropower schemes like pico, micro and mini hydro power plants that use running rivers without dams. It classifies hydropower plants into two types based on their electricity output and connection to the grid. Challenges of small-scale hydropower are also outlined.

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shahid ali
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44 views58 pages

Lec 3

The document discusses different types of hydropower plants including small-scale hydropower schemes like pico, micro and mini hydro power plants that use running rivers without dams. It classifies hydropower plants into two types based on their electricity output and connection to the grid. Challenges of small-scale hydropower are also outlined.

Uploaded by

shahid ali
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Types of Hydropower Plants

Dr. Shahid Ali


What is hydro power?

• Hydro power is electricity generated from the energy of


falling or running water. In Kenya this accounts to about
50% of electricity.

Small hydropower (SHP) schemes


• Pico, micro and mini, hydro power plants are small-scale
electricity production plants. In most cases, no dam or
reservoir storage is involved in these schemes and
mainly use running of rivers.

• Type of small hydro power


Canal Based System
Dam Based System
Classification of Hydropower

Type 1
 Pico-hydro and produce electricity
Type 2
below 5kW and micro-hydro below
 Mini-hydro and produce electricity
100kW.
below 100-1000kW.
 Are used in developing countries and
 Are grid connected for control of
provide electricity to communities
frequency and voltage.
where grid connection is missing.
 They require traditional
 Electricity is supplied directly to
engineering approaches.
households and a local load (frequency
 Need access road for delivery of
and voltage) controller is necessary.
construction materials and heavy
 Are designed on a household basis or at
electro-mechanical equipment
village level often involving local
materials and labour

Small hydro power plants upper limit is 10,000kW and for large countries such as India and
China this rises to 25000kW and 50,000kW respectively. Policies support SHP and in Kenya
for instance a project producing less than 100 KW does not require permit. There is need to
check with environmental government bodies on requirements for Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA).
Challenges of Small Scale Hydro Electricity

• High installation cost and average of US$3000


• Require technical expertise mostly from outside the
local community
• local capacity to manufacture small hydropower
components like turbines and electronic load
controllers
• Inadequate hydrological data

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