Renewable Unit 3: Low Impact Hydroelectric Power

Energy
Education

Lesson 1
INTRODUCTION TO
HYDROELECTRIC POWER
Renewable Unit 3: Low Impact Hydroelectric Power
Energy
Education

Lesson 1
INTRODUCTION TO
HYDROELECTRIC POWER
Part One
Hydroelectric power (often called hydropower) is
considered a renewable energy source. A renewable energy
source is one that is not depleted (used up) in the production
of energy. Through hydropower, the energy in falling water
is converted into electricity without “using up” the water.
Hydropower energy is ultimately derived from the sun, which drives
the water cycle. In the water cycle, rivers are recharged in a
continuous cycle. Because of the force of gravity, water flows from
high points to low points. There is kinetic energy embodied in the
flow of water.
Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. Any moving
object has kinetic energy.
Humans first learned to harness
the kinetic energy in water by
using waterwheels.
A waterwheel is a revolving
wheel fitted with blades,
buckets, or vanes.
Waterwheels convert the
kinetic energy of flowing water
to mechanical energy.
Mechanical energy is a form of kinetic energy,
such as in a machine. Mechanical energy has the
ability to do work. Any object that is able to do
work has mechanical energy.
Early waterwheels used
mechanical energy to grind
grains and to drive
machinery such as sawmills
and blacksmith equipment.
Waterwheel technology advanced over time.
Turbines are advanced, very efficient waterwheels. They are
often enclosed to further capture water’s energy.
Not long after the discovery of electricity, it was realized that a
turbine’s mechanical energy could be used to activate a generator
and produce electricity. The first hydroelectric power plant was
constructed in 1882 in Appleton, Wisconsin. It produced 12.5
kilowatts of electricity which was used to light two paper mills and
one home.
Hydroelectric power (hydropower) systems convert the
kinetic energy in flowing water into electric energy.
How a Hydroelectric Power System Works - Part 1

Flowing water is directed at a

turbine (remember turbines
are just advanced
waterwheels). The flowing
water causes the turbine to
rotate, converting the water’s
kinetic energy into
mechanical energy.
 How a Hydroelectric Power System Works – Part 2
The mechanical energy produced by the turbine is converted into
electric energy using a turbine generator. Inside the generator, the
shaft of the turbine spins a magnet inside coils of copper wire. It is
a fact of nature that moving a magnet near a conductor causes an
electric current.
 How much electricity can be generated
by a hydroelectric power plant?

The amount of electricity that can be generated by a hydropower

plant depends on two factors:
• flow rate - the quantity of water flowing in a given time; and
• head - the height from which the water falls.
The greater the flow and head, the more electricity produced.
 Flow Rate = the quantity of water flowing

When more water flows through a turbine, more electricity can be

produced. The flow rate depends on the size of the river and the
amount of water flowing in it. Power production is considered to be
directly proportional to river flow. That is, twice as much water
flowing will produce twice as much electricity.
 Head = the height from which water falls

The farther the water falls, the more power it has. The higher the
dam, the farther the water falls, producing more hydroelectric power.
Power production is also directly proportional to head. That is,
water falling twice as far will produce twice as much electricity.
It is important to note that
when determining head,
hydrologists take into
account the pressure behind
the water. Water behind the
dam puts pressure on the
falling water.
 A standard equation for calculating energy
production:
Power = (Head) x (Flow) x (Efficiency)
11.8

Power = the electric power in kilowatts or kW

Head = the distance the water falls (measured in feet)
Flow = the amount of water flowing (measured in cubic feet per second
or cfs)
Efficiency = How well the turbine and generator convert the power of
falling water into electric power. This can range from 60%
(0.60) for older, poorly maintained hydroplants to 90%
(0.90) for newer, well maintained plants.
11.8 = Index that converts units of feet and seconds into kilowatts
As an example, let’s see how much power can be generated by the
power plant at Roosevelt Dam, the uppermost dam on the Salt River
in Arizona.
Although the dam itself is 357 feet high, the head (distance the
water falls) is 235 feet. The typical flow rate is 2200 cfs. Let’s say
the turbine and generator are 80% efficient.

Power = (Head) x (Flow) x (Efficiency)

11.8

Power = 235ft. x 2200 cfs x .80

11.8
 Power = 517,000 x .80
11.8
Power = 413,600
11.8

Power = 35,051 kilowatts (kW)

Roosevelt’s generator is actually rated at a capacity of

36,000 kW.
High-head Hydropower

Tall dams are sometimes

referred to as “high-head”
hydropower systems. That
is, the height from which
water falls is relatively
high.
Low-head Hydropower

Many smaller
hydropower systems
are considered “low-
head” because the
height from which the
water falls is fairly low.
Low-head hydropower
systems are generally
less than 20 feet high.
 Environmental Considerations

High-head hydropower systems can produce a tremendous amount

of power. However, large hydropower facilities, while essentially
pollution-free to operate, still have undesirable effects on the
environment.
Installation of new large hydropower projects today is very
controversial because of their negative environmental impacts.
These include:

upstream flooding
declining fish populations
decreased water quality and flow
reduced quality of upstream and downstream environments

Glen Canyon June 1962 Glen Canyon June 1964

 Low-head and Low Impact Hydropower
Scientists today are seeking ways to develop hydropower plants that
have less impact on the environment. One way is through low-head
hydropower. Low-head hydropower projects are usually low impact
as well—that is, they have fewer negative effects on the environment.

Example of a low-head, low impact hydropower system.

 Low Impact Hydropower

A hydropower project is considered low impact if it considers

these environmental factors:

• river flow • threatened and

endangered species
• water quality
protection
• watershed • cultural resource
protection protection
• fish passage • recreation
and protection
• facilities recommended
for removal
Because the water cycle is continuous,
hydropower is a renewable energy source.
The future of hydropower lies in technologies
that are also environmental friendly.

end part one

Renewable Unit 3: Low Impact Hydroelectric Power
Energy
Education

Lesson 1
INTRODUCTION TO
HYDROELECTRIC POWER
Part Two
 Part One Review
How a Hydropower System Works

Flowing water is directed at a turbine which (inside the generator)

spins a magnet inside coils of copper wire. This produces an
electric current.
 Part One Review
Flow Rate and Head

The amount of electricity

produced depends upon the
amount of water flowing (flow
rate) and the height from which
water falls (head).
There are high-head and low-head
hydropower systems. Low-head
hydropower systems are generally
less than 20 feet high.

In addition to being high- or low-head, there is a variety of different

types and sizes of hydropower facilities!
 Types of Hydropower Facilities

The two primary types of hydropower facilities are the

impoundment system (or dam) and the run-of-the-river
system.
 Impoundment System

An impoundment is simply a dam that holds water in a reservoir.

The water is released when needed through a penstock, to drive the
turbine.
This illustration shows the parts of a standard hydroelectric dam.
Most large, high-head hydropower facilities use impoundments.
 Run-of-the-River Hydropower System

A run-of-the-river system uses the river’s natural flow and

requires little or no impoundment. It may involve a diversion of a
portion of the stream through a canal or penstock, or it may involve
placement of a turbine right in the stream channel. Run-of-the-river
systems are often low-head.
 Hydropower Plants Also Vary in Size

There are large power plants that produce hundreds of megawatts

of electricity and serve thousands of families.
There are also small and micro hydropower plants that individuals
can operate for their own energy needs. The Department of Energy
classifies power plants by how much energy they are able to
produce.
 
Large Hydropower
A large hydropower
facility has the capacity
to produce more than
30,000 kilowatts (kW) of
electricity.
The majority of
hydropower systems in
the U.S. fit in this
category. Large
hydropower systems
typically require a dam.
Small Hydropower

Small hydropower facilities

can produce
100 – 30,000 kilowatts (kW)
of electricity.
Small hydropower facilities
may involve a small dam, or
be a diversion of the main
stream, or be a
run-of-the-river system.
Micro Hydropower

Micro hydropower
plants have the
capacity to produce
100 kilowatts (kW)
or less.
Micro-hydro facilities
typically use a
run-of-the-river
system.
 Hydropower in Arizona

For a primarily desert state, Arizona has a surprising number of

hydroelectric facilities. The largest of our hydroelectric dams are
on the mighty Colorado River. There are also four dams with
hydroelectric facilities on the Salt River.
Colorado River Hydroelectric Dams

Glen Canyon Dam

Height: 710 ft.
Head: 583 ft.
Flow: 33,200 cfs combined
Capacity: 1.3 million kW
(total from 8 generators)

Hoover Dam
Height: 726 ft.
Head: 576 ft.
Flow: NA
Capacity: 2.1 million kW
(total from 19 generators)
Lower Colorado River Hydroelectric Dams

Davis Dam
Height: 200 feet
Head: 140 feet
Flow: 31,000 cfs total
Capacity: 240,000 kW
(total capacity from 5 generators)

Parker Dam
Height: 320 feet
Head: 80 feet
Flow: 22,000 cfs total
Capacity: 120,000 kW
(total capacity from 4 generators)
Salt River Hydroelectric Dams
Stewart Mountain
Mormon Flat
Horse Mesa
Theodore Roosevelt

Height: 357 ft.

Head: 235 ft.
Flow: 2200 cfs
Capacity: 36,000 kW

Height: 212 ft.

Head: 110 ft. Height: 224 ft.
Flow: 2200 cfs Head: 130 ft. Height: 305 ft.
Capacity: 13,000 kW Flow: Unit 1 - 1200 cfs Head: 260 ft.
Unit 2 - 6500 cfs Flow: Units 1-3 - 600 cfs ea.
Capacity: Unit 4 - 6500 cfs
Unit 1 - 10,000 kW Capacity:
Unit 2 - 60,000 kW Units 1-3 – 10,000 kW ea.
Unit 4 - 115,000 kW
All of the previous hydropower
facilities are considered high-head.
And except for Stewart Mountain
Dam (which produces only 13,000
kW), all are considered large
hydropower projects.
It is important to note that all of
Arizona’s dams also serve the role
of water storage and flood control
as well as hydropower.
The dams on the Salt River
play a tremendous role in
delivering water to the
Phoenix area. A series of
nine canals with an
additional 924 miles of
lateral “ditches” deliver
water from the Salt River
throughout the Valley for
domestic and irrigation
uses.
With all that water flowing around the Valley
is there potential for hydroelectric
power generation?
Hydropower in the Valley

Yes! There are three small hydropower

facilities in the Phoenix metro area,
taking advantage of the power of water!
These are the Crosscut Hydroelectric
Plant, the South Consolidated
Hydroelectric Unit, and Arizona Falls.
At each of these sites there is enough
water, and a change in elevation, giving
enough flow and head to generate
hydroelectric power.
South Consolidated Hydroelectric Unit
• constructed in 1981 on the South Canal
• 35 foot drop
• 1,400 kW capacity
 

Crosscut Hydroelectric Plant

• began commercial operation in 1915 on the Crosscut Canal
• 116 foot drop
• 3,000 kW capacity
Arizona Falls, a low-head hydropower system, is the Valley’s
newest hydroelectric generation station. An exciting example of a
low impact, renewable energy source, Arizona Falls is open to the
public as a place to experience water and its contribution to our
energy and water needs.
Arizona Falls, located on the Arizona Canal, is also an interesting
historical site. First constructed in 1902, it was the Valley’s first
hydropower plant.
The falls attracted numerous visitors and were a place to picnic
and have parties. The original power plant was dismantled in
1950. The site was recently restored for both recreation and
energy.
 How much electricity does
Arizona Falls generate?

The falls are 19 feet high and the average flow rate is 550 cfs. Let’s
assume the turbine and generator are 90% efficient.
 
Let’s use the equation:
Power = (Head) x (Flow) x (Efficiency)
11.8
Power = 19 feet x 550cfs x .90
11.8
 Power = 19 feet x 550cfs x .90
11.8

Power = 9405
11.8

Power = 797 kW

(The generator’s capacity is actually rated at 820 kW.)

Because water delivery is the first priority, electricity produced at
Arizona Falls is used mainly to supplement high electricity demands
in the summer.
Hydropower is an important renewable
energy source world wide...
 Even here
in our desert home,

we can experience
new, renewable
technologies with the
power of water!