Answer all questions

Question 1

a. What are the key physical parameters which determine the electrical power available from a
potential hydro power plant site? Give reasons as for why you consider each of them as a
key parameter. [6 Marks]

b. Discuss how these key physical parameters are established in a pre-feasibility study on
electrical power potential of a site. [9 Marks]

c. Discuss the other essential elements of a pre-feasibility study of a hydro power project, with
special reference to the observations you have made during the site visit to Uma Oya Project,
its social, environmental and construction aspects of the project implementation. [5 Marks]

Question 2

a. What are the types of tests carried out for Electrical and Mechanical equipment of a hydro
power project in various stages of implementation? Briefly explain the reasons for these
tests to be carried out that way. [20 Marks]

b. Discuss the reasons for having a laboratory test environment for the tests on the main turbine.
[10 Marks]
Answers and the Marking Scheme

Question 1

a. Key physical parameters which determine the electrical power available from a potential
hydro power plant site:

Must base the answer on the basic equation 𝑃 = 𝑄𝐻𝜌𝑔 [2 marks]

The key parameters stated and discussed must be:

Q: the rate of flow available at the stream [1 mark]

( ,- .
H: =' + + 𝑧1the total head at the location [2 marks]
)* /*
if only the static head is mentioned,
[1 mark]
𝛼 : Loss factor or flow losses [1 mark]

b. Discussion on how these key physical parameters are established in a pre-feasibility study on
electrical power potential of a site:

By a desk study [1 mark] using:

(a) available data on stream flow measurements [1 mark] (if not available, by making
measurements over a reasonable period [1 mark]) and/or meteorological data such as
rainfall [1 mark]
(b) Topographical maps of the area [1 mark]
(c) Geological maps of the area [1 mark], discussion on deviations during the
implementation [1 mark]
(d) Information on other uses of water in the upstream areas and effect on downstream
activities [1 mark] discussion on deviations during the implementation [1 mark]

c. Discuss the other essential elements of a pre-feasibility study of a hydro power project, with
special reference to the observations you have made during the site visit to Uma Oya Project.

Other essential elements of a pre-feasibility study

Project justification by costs and benefits [1 mark]
Social and environmental impacts [1 mark]
Construction period impacts: Noise, sourcing construction materials, disposal of material or
wastes, additional roads for heavy vehicles or equipment transport [1 mark]

Discussion: demonstration of competency on the above sections [2 marks]

Question 2

a. What are the types of tests carried out for Electrical and Mechanical equipment of a hydro
power project in various stages of implementation? Briefly explain the reasons for these
tests to be carried out that way.

Types of tests for E&M equipment

Pre-shipment [2 marks]
Factory tests/ simulations, Type tests, Acceptance tests [1 mark]
Turbine Model Test [1 mark]

Pre-commissioning at site [2 marks]

Verification of operation at site on all ancillary equipment [1 mark]

Such as: motors, pumps, Generator Brakes, CT, PT, Calibration of all measuring equipment
and transducers, Governor and AVR Excitation performance characteristics, Auxiliary and
Stand-by power, Battery Banks, etc.; [1 mark]

Switchgear: Circuit Breaker Timing, Operational Checks on switchgear; [1 mark]

Dielectric and/or insulation Tests [1 mark]

Acceptance Tests at site [2 marks]

Efficiency test [1 mark]
Runaway test (optional) [1 mark]
Cavitation test (Partly calculated) [1 mark]
Load Rejection Test [1 mark]
Reliability Run [1 mark]

Discussion: demonstration of competency on the above topics [2 marks]

The reasons for these tests to be carried out that way

Pre-shipment
Testing of equipment could be best done in controlled environment such as a factory test
bench, where many unusual operating conditions could be simulated [1 mark] using accurate
laboratory-grade test instruments [1 mark]

Pre-commissioning at site
This is the first time that these individual pieces of equipment getting assembled together. [1
mark] Their combined performance is tested and verified before energizing the main
equipment. [1 mark]

Acceptance Tests at site

To establish contractual guarantees [2 marks]

b. Discuss the reasons for having a laboratory test environment for the tests on the main turbine.

Mention of geometric and dynamic similarity [2 marks]

In the case of turbine runner, the rated conditions may not be available at site for testing and
proving its ratings will have to be done by a model test in a laboratory [1 mark]

Cavitation characteristics over a range of loading could best be demonstrated at such tests [1
mark]

Discussion: demonstration of competency on the above sections [2 marks]