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The runner of the small water turbine. A water turbine is a rotary machine that converts kinetic energy and potential energy of water into mechanical work. Water turbines were developed in the 19th century and were widely used for industrial power prior to electrical grids. Now, they are mostly used for electric power generation.
During periods of peak demand water is released to generate power. Electrical generation can begin within two minutes with peak electric output of 1872 MW achieved in under 30 minutes. Maximum water flow is over 33 million US gallons (120,000 m 3) per minute. This process was designed to level the load of nearby nuclear power plants on the grid.
A PSH system stores energy in the form of gravitational potential energy of water, pumped from a lower elevation reservoir to a higher elevation. Low-cost surplus off-peak electric power is typically used to run the pumps. During periods of high electrical demand, the stored water is released through turbines to produce electric power.
The water powered turbines used in these dams need little maintenance, are easily upgradable with modern technology, and have a lifespan of 50–100 years. Clean energy created by hydro power plants attracts positive results in otherwise remote areas. It enhances commerce and gives rise to more industry.
Hydropower is a flexible source of electricity since stations can be ramped up and down very quickly to adapt to changing energy demands. [31] Hydro turbines have a start-up time of the order of a few minutes. [37] Although battery power is quicker its capacity is tiny compared to hydro. [2]
The pump-turbine units were uprated in July 1972 from their initial rating of 175 MW each to 204 MW each, increasing the plant's overall rating from 350 MW to 408 MW. [3] [16] From 1998–1999, the turbine runners for both units were upgraded, resulting in improved flow rates and another power uprate to 225 MW per unit (450 MW total). [17] [16]
Between 2004 and 2010, [1] Lodewyk Botha and Marek Sredzki developed an inflow turbine that captures water's potential energy in addition to its kinetic energy. Principal patents [2] [3] for the technology were registered and published between 2005 and 2011. The first full-scale water wall turbine project was completed in 2016 by Water Wall ...
The Francis turbine is a type of water turbine. It is an inward-flow reaction turbine that combines radial and axial flow concepts. Francis turbines are the most common water turbine in use today, and can achieve over 95% efficiency. [1] The process of arriving at the modern Francis runner design took from 1848 to approximately 1920. [1]