Choice of Site for Hydro-electric Power Plant
Some point that should be given importance while selecting a site for Hydro-electric power stationis given below.
1) Availabilty of Water
Since the primary requirement for a hydro electric power station ,is the availability of huge amount of water such plants should be built at a place(eg.river,canal)where adequate water is available at a good head.
2) Storage of Water
There are wide variations in water supply from a river or canal during the year.This makes its necessary to store water by constructing a dam inorder to ensure the generation of power through out the year.The storage helps in equalising the flow of water so that any excess quantity of water at a certain period of the year can be made available during times of very low flow in the river.This leads to the conclusion that site selected for hydro electric plant should provide adequate facilities for erecting a dam and storage of water.
3) Cost and Type of Land
The land for the construction of plant should be available at a reasonable price.Further ,the bearing capacity of the soil should be adequate to withstand the installation of heavy equipment.
4) Transportation Facilities
The site selected for the hydro-electric plant should be accessible by rail and road so that necessary equipment and machinery could be easily transported.
It is clear from the above mentioned factors that ideal choice of site for such a plant is near a river in hilly areas where dam can be conveniently built and large reservoirs can be obtained.
Written by John on September 23rd, 2008 with
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