Question

Answer the following question in about 150 words.

Write an essay on hydel power in India.

Answer 1

Hydel power is a renewable energy resource because it uses the Earth’s water cycle to generate electricity. Water evaporates from the Earth’s surface, forms clouds, precipitates back to earth and flows toward the ocean. The movement of water as it flows downstream creates kinetic energy that can be converted into electricity. 2700 TWH is generated every year. Out of the total installed power generation capacity in India of 1,76,990 MW (June 2011), hydel power accounts for about 21.5%, i.e., 38,106 MW.

Capacity addition of 78,700 MW is envisaged from various conventional sources during 2007-2012 (the 11th Plan), including 15,627 MW from large hydro projects. In addition, a capacity addition of 1400 MW was envisaged from small hydro stations with capacities up to 25 MW. The total hydroelectric power potential in the country is assessed at about 150,000 MW, equivalent to 84,000 MW at a 60% load factor. The potential of small hydropower projects is estimated at about 15,000 MW.

1. Technology: A hydroelectric power plant consists of a high dam built across a large river to create a reservoir, and a station where energy is converted into electricity. The first step in generating energy in a hydropower plant is the collection of runoff from seasonal rain and snow in lakes, streams, and rivers during the hydrological cycle. The runoff flows to the downstream dams. The water flows through a dam into a hydropower plant, turning a large wheel called a turbine.
   The turbine converts the energy of falling water into mechanical energy to drive the generator. After this process is complete, electricity is transmitted to the communities via transmission lines, and the water is released back into lakes, streams, or rivers. This is entirely harmless because no pollutants are added to the water as it flows through the hydropower plant.
2. Potential in India: India is blessed with immense hydroelectric potential and ranks 5th in exploitable hydro-potential globally. As per the assessment by CEA, India is endowed with economically exploitable hydropower potential of 148700 MW of installed capacity. The basinwide assessed potential is as follows:

Basin/rivers Probable	Installed Capacity (MW)
Indus Basin	33,832
Ganga Basin	20,711
Central Indian River system	4,152
Western Flowing Rivers of Southern India	9,430
Eastern Flowing Rivers of Southern India	14,511
Brahmaputra Basin	66,065
Total	1,48,701

In addition, 56 pumped storage projects have also been identified with a probable installed capacity of 94000 MW. In addition, the hydro-potential from small, mini, and micro schemes has been estimated at 6782 MW across 1512 sites. Thus, in total, India is endowed with a hydropower potential of about 250,000 MW.
Installed Capacity: India’s total installed capacity is 36878 MW.