HYDROPOWER, POWER SYSTEMS AND LOADS
TUTORIAL 2:
Question 1:
A run-of-river hydropower station diverts water from a river to a turbine through a penstock.
The water level at the point of diversion is 118.0 m above datum, while the tailrace water level
is 74.5 m above datum. The total head loss in the penstock and associated fittings is estimated
as 3.8 m. The turbine used is a reaction turbine, and the velocity of water leaving the draft tube
is 4.6 m/s. The discharge through the turbine is 12.5 m³/s. The turbine efficiency is 89% and
the generator efficiency is 94%.
Using the appropriate hydropower relations, determine the gross head, the net head, the
hydraulic efficiency of the scheme, the overall efficiency of the hydropower scheme, and the
electrical power output in MW. Thereafter, comment on the engineering significance of the
difference between gross head and net head, and explain how penstock losses and exit velocity
affect the final power delivered to the grid. Your answer should clearly state all assumptions
and show each step of the calculations.
Question 2:
A hydropower station has an installed capacity of 90 MW. During a particular day, the station
load is observed as follows:
• 00:00–04:00 → 36 MW
• 04:00–08:00 → 48 MW
• 08:00–12:00 → 72 MW
• 12:00–16:00 → 84 MW
• 16:00–20:00 → 78 MW
• 20:00–24:00 → 54 MW
For the same day, the maximum demand on the station is equal to the highest load recorded.
Determine:
1. the total daily energy generated in MWh,
2. the average load on the station,
3. the daily load factor,
4. the daily capacity factor,
5. the utilisation factor, and
6. the reserve capacity of the plant.
After the calculations, explain whether the station is being economically utilised, and discuss
what the results imply regarding unit sizing, scheduling of generators, and suitability of the
plant for base-load or peak-load duty. Base your reasoning on the meaning of load factor,
capacity factor, utilisation factor, and reserve capacity as presented in the lecture notes.
Question 3:
In an interconnected power system, a hydropower plant and a thermal power plant are operated
together to meet the daily system demand. During the wet season, river flow is high and
sufficient water is available for continuous hydropower generation. During the dry season, river
flow reduces significantly, and the hydropower plant cannot sustain full-day operation at high
output. Using the concepts of base load, peak load, combined power systems, firm power,
secondary power, and overall economy of operation, explain in detail how the system should
be operated during the wet season and during the dry season.
Your discussion should include:
a. Why hydropower is suitable for rapid start-up and peak support,
b. why thermal stations are often preferred for sustained base-load duty during low-flow
periods,
c. how drought and tailwater effects can reduce dependable hydropower,
d. the significance of choosing an economical hydro-to-thermal ratio,
e. and the operational advantages of an interconnected grid in reducing reserve
requirements and improving reliability.
Support your answer with a structured engineering argument and, where appropriate, sketch
the expected daily load sharing pattern between the hydro and thermal plants for both seasons.
Question 4:
A regional electricity utility intends to expand supply to a mixed service area consisting of
residential estates, commercial buildings, water pumping stations, irrigation pumping schemes,
a medium-sized industrial zone, and an electric railway spur. Using the lecture material on
types of loads, daily load curves, base load, peak load, intermediate load, demand factor, and
diversity factor, discuss how the utility should analyse the expected composite demand before
selecting generating units and planning substation capacity.
In your answer, explain:
a. the characteristic behaviour of domestic, commercial, industrial, municipal, irrigation
and traction loads,
b. why their maximum demands are unlikely to occur simultaneously,
c. how diversity improves overall system economy,
d. how the daily load curve assists in determining average load, maximum demand and
energy generated,
e. and why it is usually undesirable to rely on only one large generating unit.
Conclude by recommending a rational combination of generating-unit sizes for such a system,
showing how technical reliability, future growth allowance, maintenance reserve, and
investment cost must all be balanced in the final design.
Question 5:
A country operates several generating stations in parallel through an interconnected grid
composed of hydropower, thermal generation, and a small number of older diesel peaking
plants. Prepare a detailed technical essay discussing the importance of grid interconnection in
modern power system planning and operation. Your answer should cover the following themes:
a. exchange of peak loads among interconnected stations,
b. use of older and less efficient plants during short-duration peaks,
c. reduction in reserve capacity requirements,
d. improvement in diversity factor,
e. enhancement of security and reliability of supply during outages,
f. and the role of governors and unit response in meeting variable load without
unacceptable deviations in frequency or voltage.
Finally, explain why the generating units should be selected so that they “fit” the predicted load
curve as closely as practicable, and discuss the economic consequences of selecting too many
small units or too few oversized units. Your discussion should be presented from the
perspective of a power-system engineer advising on long-term planning and operation of a
national grid.