Hydraulic turbines:
A hydraulic turbine is a prime mover (a machine which uses the raw energy of a substance and converts into mechanical energy) that uses the energy of flowing water and converts it into the mechanical energy.
This mechanical energy is used in running an electric generator which is directly coupled to the shaft of the electric turbine. From this electric generator, we get electric power which can be transmitted over long distances by means of transmission lines and transmission towers.
The hydraulic turbines are also known as water turbines since the fluid medium used in them is water.
Hydraulic turbines are used from the centuries to carry out some useful work. They were known as water wheels. The term turbine came into existence in the starting of 18th century. After the industrial revolution, more work was done on the design of turbines and more modern designs and material for turbines were obtained.
First hydraulic power station was probably started in United States in 1882 and thereafter development took place very rapidly. In India, the first major hydroelectric development of 4.5 MW capacity named as Sivasundarm Scheme in Mysore was commissioned in 1902.
Water is a conventional renewable source of energy which is clean, free from pollution and generally has a good environmental effect.
The following factors are major obstacles in the utilization of hydropower resources.
- Large investment
- Long gestation period
- Increased cost of power transmission.