Hydroelectric Power Calculator
Calculate power output, energy production, and revenue for hydroelectric systems
Calculate Hydroelectric Power Output
Volume of water flowing per second (cubic meters per second)
Vertical height difference of water flow (meters)
Typical range: 80-95% (default: 85%)
Typical range: 90-98% (default: 95%)
Local electricity rate for revenue calculation
Maximum: 8,760 hours (24/7 operation)
Example Calculation
Small Run-of-River System
Water Flow: 5 m³/s
Head Height: 20 m
Turbine Efficiency: 85%
Generator Efficiency: 95%
Results
Power = 1000 × 9.81 × 5 × 20 × 0.8075 = 792.4 kW
Annual Energy = 792.4 × 8760 = 6.9 GWh/year
Revenue = 6,943,824 × $0.10 = $694,382/year
Turbine Types
High head (>300m), low flow
Efficiency: 85-95%
Medium head (30-300m)
Efficiency: 80-95%
Low head (<30m), high flow
Efficiency: 85-95%
Low to medium head
Efficiency: 70-85%
Optimization Tips
Higher head provides more power than higher flow
Maintain consistent water supply year-round
Consider environmental impact assessments
Regular maintenance improves efficiency
Monitor seasonal flow variations
Understanding Hydroelectric Power Generation
How Hydroelectric Power Works
Hydroelectric power converts the kinetic energy of flowing water into electrical energy. The power output depends on water flow rate, vertical drop (head), and system efficiency.
Power Calculation Formula
P = ρ × g × Q × H × η
P = Power (Watts)
ρ = Water density (1000 kg/m³)
g = Gravity (9.81 m/s²)
Q = Flow rate (m³/s)
H = Head height (m)
η = Overall efficiency
Key Factors
- •Head: Vertical height difference - most important factor
- •Flow: Volume of water per second
- •Efficiency: Turbine and generator performance
- •Availability: Seasonal water variations
System Types
Run-of-River:
- • No large reservoir required
- • Lower environmental impact
- • Flow-dependent operation
- • Typical: 1-50 MW
Dam-Based:
- • Large water storage capacity
- • Consistent power output
- • Higher construction costs
- • Typical: 50+ MW
Micro-Hydro:
- • Small scale installations
- • Remote area power supply
- • Minimal environmental impact
- • Typical: <100 kW
Frequently Asked Questions
What head height is needed for hydroelectric power?
Any head can generate power, but higher heads are more efficient. Micro-hydro systems work with heads as low as 2-3 meters, while high-head systems with hundreds of meters produce the most power per unit of water flow.
How much water flow is needed?
Flow requirements depend on head height. A site with 10m head and 1 m³/s flow can generate about 65-75 kW. The power increases linearly with flow rate, assuming constant efficiency.
What affects hydroelectric efficiency?
Overall efficiency depends on turbine type (70-95%), generator efficiency (90-98%), transmission losses, and site-specific factors like water quality, debris, and maintenance practices.