Concept of Hydro Power

Energy of a falling stone depends on a height and the weight of the stone. The higher the
position of the stone is and the heavier the stone is, the larger its energy is. Just like the energy
of a falling stone, energy of hydropower depends on the height or a drop in height (referred to as
‘Head’) and weight of the water or “discharge” as shown in Figure 1.2-1.

A hydro scheme requires both water flow and a drop in height or ‘Head’ to produce useful
power. The power conversion absorbs power in the form of head and discharge, and delivering
power in the form of electricity or mechanical shaft power as shown in Figure 1.2-2

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