Page 272 - Handbook of Energy Engineering Calculations

installation. Hence, the type of unit indicated by Fig. 1 is suitable for this
hydro site.

TABLE 2 Performance characteristics of common Hydroturbines
Type

Related Calculations. Passage of legislation requiring utilities to buy electric
power from qualified site developers is leading to strong growth of both site

development and equipment suitable for small-scale hydro plants.
Environmental concerns over fossil-fuel-fired and nuclear-generating plants
make hydro power more attractive. Hydro plants, in general, do not pollute
the air, do not take part in the acid-rain cycle, are usually remote from

populated areas, and run for up to 50 years with low maintenance and repair
costs. Environmentalists rate hydro power as “clean” energy available with
little, or no, pollution of the environment.
To reduce capital cost, most site developers choose standard-design

hydroturbines. With essentially every high-head site developed, low-head
sites become more attractive to developers. Table 2 shows the typical
performance characteristics of hydroturbines being used today. Where there
is a region of overlap in Table 2 or Fig. 1, site-specific parameters dictate

choice and whether to install large units or a greater number of small units.
Delivery time and ease of maintenance are other factors important in unit
choice. Further, the combination of power-generation and irrigation services
in some installations make hydroturbines more attractive from an

environmental view because two objectives are obtained: (1) “clean” power,