The Guide to Hydropower

Fully Expanded Table of Contents

View/Print PDF Version

• Introduction
• Hydro Systems Overview
  • How Water Power Works
    • Power Conversion & Efficiency
  • Major Components of a Hydro System
    • Water Diversion
    • Pipeline (Penstock)
    • Powerhouse
    • Turbine
    • Drive System
    • Generator
    • Governors & Controls
      • Electronic Load Governors
      • Load Management Systems
      • Emergency System Shutdown
      • Utility Grid Interface Controls
• Planning Your Own Hydro System
  • Measuring Head
    • Direct Distance Measurement
    • Water Pressure Measurement
    • Gross vs. Net Head
  • Measuring Flow
    • Container Fill Method
    • Measuring with a Float
    • Measuring with a Weir
    • Design Flow
  • Computing Net Head
    • Head Loss
  • Computing Water Power
    • Adjusting for Efficiency Losses
• Evaluating Systems & Suppliers
  • Turbine System Quality
    • Turbine Runner
    • Turbine Housing
    • Other Turbine Considerations
  • Turbine Supplier
• Closing Thoughts