Renewable Energy

Intermediate

Hydroelectric Power

Power from falling water: flow rate times head.

Formula

P = \rho g Q H \eta

Variables

PPower (W)

ρWater density 1000

gGravity 9.81

QFlow rate (m³/s)

HHead (m)

ηEfficiency

Example

Q=10, H=50, η=0.9: P ≈ 4.4 MW

Did You Know?

Hydropower supplies about 15% of the world's electricity — the largest renewable source by far.

renewable hydro power

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