Hydropower: An Introduction

Hydropower is a form of renewable energy, which is derived from falling or fast-running water. There are four types of hydropower, namely, pumped hydropower, storage hydropower, offshore hydropower and run-of-river hydropower. The energy derived using hydropower can be used as either mechanical power in various devices such as domestic lifts, trompe, dock cranes, etc. or as electric power. The electricity produced by hydropower is known as hydroelectricity. Hydroelectric power plants are used to exploit the energy of falling water and generate hydroelectricity. They can also be used to store potential energy between two reservoirs at different heights. Hydropower finds extensive application in irrigation and operations conducted in ore mills, textile mills, gristmills and sawmills. This book attempts to understand the multiple branches that fall under the discipline of hydropower and how such concepts have practical applications. Most of the topics introduced in this book cover new techniques and the applications of hydropower. Coherent flow of topics, student-friendly language and extensive use of examples make this book an invaluable source of knowledge.