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| What are the advantages of hydroelectric power? |
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Water is a free resource found in abundance in the highlands of Sri Lanka and is the fuel for hydroelectric power.
Advantages of using hydropower
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Water is a cheap source of power |
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No fuel combustion, there is little air pollution in comparison with fossil fuel plants |
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Limited thermal pollution compared with nuclear plants |
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No waste products are formed, nor does it pollute the water |
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Hydro electricity generation is far more consistent than with other power systems as hydropower is generated 24 hours a day all year round |
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| What does hydropower cost? |
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Producing hydropower power bears varying costs which depends on the type and capacity of the power plant. Production is much cheaper per kilowatt at a large hydroelectric plant.
Hydropower production at plants costs 1/3 of similar production at fossil-fuel or nuclear power plants.
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| What are the major components of a Hydroelectric Power Plant? |
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| The major components of a run-of-river Hydroelectric Power Plant are: |
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Channels |
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Surge chambers |
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Penstock |
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Underground and surface power house |
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Tailrace channel or tailrace tunnel |
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| What is the classification of Hydro Projects based on Installed Capacity? |
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Micro: Up to 100 kW
Mini: 101kW to 2 mW
Small: More than 2 mW to 10 mW
Large: 10 mW and above
Mega: Hydro projects with installed capacity >= 500 mW
Thermal Projects with installed capacity >=1500 mW |
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