Hydroelectric power accounts for 19% of the global production of electricity. It is the source of more than 90% of electric power in many countries in Africa and South America. In the U.S., hydropower amounts to 9% of total electricity generated, almost an order of magnitude more than the other renewable energy sources combined. Almost all of that hydropower is generated in large-scale projects, which are sometimes defined to be larger than 30 MW in capacity. Small-scale hydropower systems are considered to be those that generate between 100 kW and 30 MW, while micro-hydro plants are smaller than 100 kW.
Hydraulic Technology
In nature, energy cannot be created or destroyed, but its form can change. No new energy is created; only one form of energy is converted to another. To generate electricity, water must be in motion or holding kinetic (moving) energy. When flowing water turns blades in a turbine, the form is changed to mechanical (machine) energy. The turbine turns the generator rotor which then converts this mechanical energy into another energy form -- electricity. Since water is the initial source of energy, we call this hydroelectric power or hydropower for short.
At facilities called hydroelectric power plants, hydropower is generated. Some power plants are located on rivers, streams, and canals. The height difference creates a “head” from which water flows. A pipe (penstock) carries the water from the reservoir to the turbine. The fast-moving water flows through the wicket gate, which controls the water flow, and pushes the turbine blades, something like a pinwheel in the wind (see figure 2). The water’s force on the turbine blades turns the rotor, the moving part of the electric generator. When coils of wire on the rotor sweep past the generator’s stationary coil (stator), electricity is produced. When the water has completed its task, it flows on unchanged to serve other needs.
The electricity flows out of the generator into a step up transformer which increases the voltage level considerably. The transformer feeds the electricity to the transmission lines which carries the electricity to load centers (cities, villages, etc.) where it is consumed.
A step up transformer is required to increase the voltage up to the transmission lines level in order to reduce loses associated with electric power transmission. Various safety systems have to be in place to disconnect the power station in case of an emergency or fault. In addition, mechanical safety systems are needed to cut the water supply to the station in case it was disconnected.
34%of Filipinos work in agriculture[1]. This means a significant percentage of the residents of the Philippines live in rural areas, where their livelihood depends on their crops and furthermore the status of their environment. This means their livelihood is directly connected to the quality of the air and water in the community. Hydroelectric technology is very clean releasing no air pollutants or water contaminates in the area of use. Therefore, a system can create a significant impact on a rural community by introducing electricity and stimulating the economy, without negatively affecting the current needs and resources of its residents.
