Introduction:

The building provided to protect the

hydraulic and electric equipment from
demage is called powerhouse.The
powerhouse of a hydroelectric power plant
is the place where the water possessing
energy in fed to turbines which is then
converted into electric power using
generators.To achieve these functions
certain equipments which control the flow
of water entering the turbines from the
penstock and direct the flow from the
penstock to the turbine blades for
maximum efficiency are required.Power
house also accommodates the equipment
which are necessary for regular operation
and maintenance of turbine and power
generating units.A control room is also
provided from which engineers can control
the flow of water.
Components of hydropower plant:
Forebay:
A forebay is a area where water is stored
temporarily before it can actually move
into the intake chamber.Forebay has the
potential of controlling the floods,it
releases the water in a controlled manner
based on the demand.The water stored in
then carried by the penstock to the
powerhouse.It stores the water
temporarily rejected by the plant when
the electric load is reduced and also to
meet the increased demand of water due
to sudden increase in load.
 Intakes:
Intakes are the structures build
to collect water stored in the
forbay and then directs it to
penstock,in penstock water
builds up pressure as it
flows.Intake structures also
contains trash racks which traps
the debris in the water which
could have caused demage to
the turbine blades and removes
it.it is provided at the entrance
of penstock.Trash racks are
heated to melt the ice,ice
crystals can demage the
hydraulic parts.
Penstocks:
• These are the pipes which carry water from the
reservoir to the turbines.Potential energy of water is
converted into kinetic energy in penstock.Pipes are
made of Steel,PVC,RCC Concrete.
 Turbine and Generator:
• Turbine takes water from the
penstocks and converts KE of
water jet into mechanical
energy.It consists of blades
when high water jet possessing
KE strikes with the blades of
turbine it rotates.Diffferent
types of turbines are used such
as Kaplan, Francis and
pelton,they differ in efficiency
and maintenance.
• Generator: Generator converts
the mechanical energy into
electric energy,it is connected
to the turbine through a shaft.
 General layout of powerhouse:
As already mentioned power house is the
building which we provide to protect the
turbines and other equipments from any
demange.generally the powerhouse is
supported by the foundation or substructure
.In some cases certain equipments are also
fixed to the foundation like draft tubes while
laying it.Generators are provided on ground
floor under which vertical turbines are
provided.Control room is provided at the first
floor where engineers can control the amount
of flow.
 Classification of power housses
1.instream:In this case the intake head works are
incorporated as a part of the power
house.Penstock is not provided water directly
moves from reservoir to the turbine.
• Detached/Isolated: penstock receiving water from the
intakes is not incorporated within the power house.
 Based on Superstructure and substructure

• Substructure: Substructure contains water passageways,

situated below the turbine level.it also transmits the load of
superstructure to the foundation,it is usually a massive
concrete structure.

1-Substructure
 • Superstructure: superstructure houses the service
rooms such as intake gate room,generator room and
draft tube room.It extends from main floor level up
to the roof top.

2-superstructure,A-jurke gate room,B-generator room,C-

auxiliary room,D-water passageways,E-draft tube room
Arrangement of hydropower units:
Divided into three areas:
• Main power house
structure:Main power
house hosts the
generators.The length of the
generator room depends
upon the size of machines
and the height of the room
should be such that cranes
can easily lift the parts of
generator like rotor.
Waddamana power station
generator room
• Erection bay:
• Generally erection bay should be located at the end
of generator room, it is the space where heavy
vehicles are loaded and unloaded .Enough space
should be available to receive large parts like rotor.

Elevation of the crane rail in hydropower plant

• Service area: Area including offices, control and testing
rooms, maintenance shop, auxiliary equipment rooms
and other rooms for special purposes come under service
areas.Most of the operation are directly controlled from
control rooms

Ontario hydro Niagara falls power plant control room

Underground power house plants:
Powerplants which are constructed below the upper
level of water are called as underground
powerhouse.These are generally low heads plants,in This
type of installation powerhouse is housed with in the
weir.Head race is connected to the tail race by a passage
in which the turbine operate and the Turbine is
connected to the generator by a horizontal or inclined
shaft.
• These types of structures are safe against any attacks
by the enemies or terrorists,snow avalanche's and
earth slips.
• They also don't affect the scenic beauty of the site
 Five Indian dams with
underground power station.
1:nathpa jhakri dam
2:Idukki dam
3:Kolkewadi dam
4:Ichari dam
5:Kishanganga dam
• References:
• 1: Wikipedia, Hydropower engineering by IIT
Kharagpur (page 2)
• 2: Hydraulic Structures
(https://theconstructor.org),IES MASTER Hydraulic
structure (page 3,4,5,6)
• 3: Hydropower engineering by IIT Kharagpur,IIT
Roorkee(page 7,8,9,10,11)
• 4:https://electrical-engineering-portal.com,slide
share, Hydropower engineering by N.S patil(page
12,13,14)
• 5:https://theconstructor.org(types of hydropower
plants), Principles of hydropower engineering by IIT
Kharagpur (page 15,16)