To understand the factors that influence the benefits of hydropower, it is first necessary to understand the role of the main components in a hydropower plant. For small hydropower plants, the following components are distinguished.

A dam is a plant structure that is responsible for raising and maintaining the level upstream of the engine room by creating artificially localized irregularities.

The spillway is designed to drain the higher design flow to maintain the required water level in the reservoir, avoiding the risk of water reaching the dam crest. This is a safety design of the dam.

The generation circuit consists of low-pressure intake canals, pipes or diversion tunnels, any pumping shafts or loading chambers, high-pressure canals or forced tunnels, outdoor or underground power plants, tunnels and leakage channels. The generation circuit is designed to drive water to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy.

For the generation scheme we have:

• Intake: A structure for collecting water to a discharge pipeline or channel/drive tunnel;
• Channel and adduction tunnel: Structures responsible for the adduction of water to the forced discharge in shunt systems;
• Equilibrium chimney: aims to stabilize pressure changes resulting from partial or complete changes in water flow under initial conditions, load changes, or load disconnection of the generator set;
• Load chamber: is a structure that makes the transition between the channel and the water intake of the pressure pipeline. Its dimensions correspond to the critical conditions of start-up and sudden shutdown of the generator set;
• Pressure pipeline: a structure that connects the water intake to the power plant operating under pressure. Pressure pipes can be external or tunneled;
• Power plant: A structure that houses electrical and mechanical equipment. The typical layout of a power plant, as in any other project of this kind, depends on the type of turbine and generator;
• Tunnel or tailrace: Located downstream of the intake pipe between the powerhouse and the river, this is the channel through which turbine water is discharged and returned to the river.

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Proper use of water resources: In small hydropower plants, small streams and creeks are able to provide and generate energy. You can enjoy the area without large water supplies, reducing the social and environmental impacts on the local population.

Small hydropower is a renewable energy source: the resource used by small hydropower plants, water, to generate energy is a renewable resource. Therefore, this project is classified as renewable energy for water enjoyment and electricity generation.

Small hydropower plants are a cost-effective and sustainable source of energy: Small hydropower plants are simple in design, smaller in size, and the operating equipment for electricity generation is cheap compared to large power plants. The cost of electricity production is free from inflation. The period of construction and operation is short, and the financial return is quick.

Small hydropower plants help to conserve scarce fossil fuels: the use of water for power generation at power plants replaces fossil fuels and oil products. If there is a possibility of replacing non-renewable resources, small hydropower is a good choice.

Low pollution: One of the biggest challenges of our time is to connect electricity production with the environment and reduce its negative impact. Renewable energy sources reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainability. There is a study that considers hydropower as a renewable energy source that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to the sustainable development of rural regions. Since hydropower does not have large reservoirs and local adaptation to the project is not significantly affected, it is a good choice for electricity supply projects. The hydropower technology should be used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions together with other renewable forms of electricity generation.

Development of rural and remote areas: There is potential for small power plants in remote and mountainous areas. The use of this renewable energy source in these regions contributes to economic and social development.

Other uses: Other benefits can be found in regions where small installations are installed, such as irrigation, water supply, tourism, fishing, and flood prevention.

SHP technology is reliable, its power plant can be built in a few years and it has a long life cycle. The building structures, like the dam, can operate for more than a century and require little maintenance. In other mechanical equipment, such as the turbine, there is research development to improve their energy efficiency and achieve utilization rates of up to 90%.

Small hydropower technology is one of the most common technologies for generating electricity for rural populations in both developed and developing countries. The inclusion of this resource in energy mixes can lead to sustainable development. Small hydropower plants contribute to meeting the needs of regions where there is no major technological development, and they can improve the quality of life of the population by creating jobs, growing the local economy and developing the region.

The advantages of small hydropower projects are the ease of smaller investments and faster construction and operation periods. The territories for electricity production are smaller, they have raw materials, local labor, and production costs are also lower compared to other energy projects. However, social, political, economic, historical, regulatory, and environmental issues may limit the further development of this technology.

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Regulated Hydropower Plants: Managing Water Flow

Regulated hydropower plants, also known as reservoir-based plants, operate in conjunction with a dam and reservoir system. These plants have the capability to control the flow of water through the dam, thereby regulating the amount of water released downstream. By managing water flow, regulated hydropower plants can adjust electricity generation according to demand, making them highly flexible and adaptable to varying energy needs.

One of the key advantages of regulated hydropower plants is their ability to serve as reliable sources of baseload power. Baseload power refers to the minimum amount of electricity required to meet continuous demand, and regulated hydropower plants excel in providing this steady supply. Additionally, these plants offer benefits such as flood control, water storage for irrigation, and recreational opportunities through the creation of reservoirs.

However, regulated hydropower plants also face challenges, particularly in terms of environmental impact. The construction of dams and reservoirs can disrupt natural river ecosystems, leading to habitat fragmentation and alterations in water temperature and flow patterns. Additionally, concerns about sediment accumulation and methane emissions from reservoirs underscore the importance of carefully managing the environmental footprint of regulated hydropower projects.

Unregulated Hydropower Plants: Harnessing Natural Flow

In contrast to regulated hydropower plants, unregulated hydropower plants operate without the presence of a dam or reservoir. Instead, they utilize the natural flow of rivers and streams to generate electricity. Unregulated plants typically consist of run-of-river systems, where water is diverted through a turbine to produce power before being returned to the river downstream.

One of the primary advantages of unregulated hydropower plants is their minimal environmental impact compared to regulated counterparts. By working with the natural flow of rivers, these plants avoid many of the ecological disruptions associated with dam construction and reservoir inundation. Additionally, unregulated plants are often quicker and less costly to develop, making them attractive options for decentralized energy generation in remote areas.

However, unregulated hydropower plants also face limitations, particularly in terms of variability and reliability. Since they are reliant on natural flow patterns, the electricity output of unregulated plants can fluctuate seasonally and in response to weather conditions. This variability may pose challenges for meeting consistent energy demand, especially in regions with pronounced dry seasons or unpredictable hydrological cycles.

Balancing Flexibility and Sustainability

Regulated and unregulated hydropower plants represent two distinct approaches to harnessing the energy of flowing water. While regulated plants offer greater flexibility in electricity generation and provide additional benefits such as flood control and water storage, they also pose environmental challenges associated with dam construction and reservoir management. On the other hand, unregulated plants minimize ecological impact by working in harmony with natural river flows, but they may face limitations in terms of variability and reliability.

Ultimately, the choice between regulated and unregulated hydropower depends on various factors, including local geography, energy demand, environmental considerations, and regulatory frameworks. By carefully weighing the advantages and disadvantages of each approach, stakeholders can work towards developing a balanced and sustainable hydropower portfolio that meets both energy needs and environmental goals.

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Principle of operation of hydro turbines

The principle of operation of hydro turbines is based on the laws of physics that describe the conversion of the kinetic energy of moving water into mechanical rotational energy. The first step in the process is to direct the flow of water onto the turbine blades. This creates pressure that causes the turbine to rotate on its axis.

There are several types of hydro turbines, each operating in a different way, but the principle of energy conversion remains the same. For example, Pelton-type turbines, typical of high-pressure systems, have bucket-shaped blades onto which a narrow source of water is directed. This creates high pressure and flow velocity, which allows the turbine rotor to spin efficiently.

Francis turbines, on the other hand, are used in medium head systems and have circular blades. They operate based on a combination of pressure and water flow velocity. Kaplan turbines, on the other hand, are characterized by blades that can be rotated to optimize performance under different flow conditions.

Advantages of hydro turbines

Environmentally friendly: Hydropower is one of the most environmentally friendly sources of energy. Hydroturbines do not produce carbon emissions or other harmful substances, which helps to reduce environmental impact.

High efficiency: Hydroturbines have a high efficiency in converting the kinetic energy of water into mechanical rotational energy. This makes them one of the most efficient sources of energy.

Reliability and durability: Under the right operating conditions, hydro turbines can last for decades, requiring minimal maintenance. This makes them a reliable source of energy for long term use.

Hydro turbines play a key role in generating electricity from water resources. Their efficiency, reliability and environmental friendliness make them an important element of a sustainable energy source for the future. With advances in technology and improved production processes, hydro turbines are becoming increasingly affordable and efficient, making them an important tool in the fight against climate change and sustainable development.

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A study for the UK Department for International Development found that the potential for small hydropower to reduce poverty is significant, especially in low-income countries. It was also found that micro-hydro is a relatively effective method of poverty reduction in terms of the cost per person above the poverty line. In addition, estimates of poverty reduction from micro-hydro are systematically underestimated because they exclude a number of very difficult to measure but important effects, including savings from no longer having to carry firewood, kerosene or other fuels, improved education through the availability of electric lighting, and improved health and agricultural production through drinking and irrigation water that is available through canals originally built for micro-hydro schemes.

Small hydropower, being a renewable energy source, also has the advantage of reducing dependence on fossil fuels at the macroeconomic level if a country imports fossil fuels.

Contribution of the technology to environmental protection

Depending on what forms of energy use a hydropower plant replaces, the reduction in air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions varies, but given that small hydropower is virtually CO 2 neutral, it is expected to be a significant improvement over conventional power generation in terms of greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions.

Unlike large hydropower plants, the environmental impact on ecosystems is limited. Small hydropower plants require limited changes in river flow and therefore the existing ecosystem can continue to function as before; however, improvements in this area are expected, particularly related to the development of turbines that promote “fish growth”.

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