Dam is a barrier used to increase the height of the water level which increases the potential energy of the

water. The
reservoir created by dams does not only suppress floods but also helps in irrigation and other industrial uses.

Forebay is a large body of water in front of the dam intake. Sometimes, it is referred to as the reservoir itself when it is
used to store water when the requirement of the intake is less.

Intake or control gates are entryways used to control or regulate the amount of water going through the penstock and
towards the turbines. The water passing through these gates possess both kinetic and potential energy.

Penstocks are like large pipes laid with some slope which helps in channeling water from intake structure or reservoir to
the turbines.

The main function of surge tank is to protect the penstock from water hammering effects.

Water hammering happens when a sudden closure/opening of valves caused vacuum pressure or the water to be
brought at a quick halt causing a bang or a thump inside the pipes.

When there is a sudden decrease on the load demand on the generator, the valves suddenly halts. This produces an
increase in the pressure of water inside the penstock causing positive water hammering effect. This may lead to bursting
of the penstock.

When there is sudden increase in the load, governor valves opens and accepts more water to the turbine. This results in
creation of vacuum in the penstock resulting into the negative water hammering effect.

Therefore the penstock should have to withstand both positive water hammering effect created due to close of
governor valve and negative water hammering effect due to opening of governor valve.

In order to protect the penstock from these water hammering effects, surge tank is used in hydroelectric power station.

Spillway is a dam safety feature that works when the reservoir is full. It is somehow a diversion which helps in
preventing floods to nearby areas when the reservoir tends to spill.

Turbines. The function of a turbine is to convert the hydraulic energy or kinetic energy of water from penstock that are
rotating its blades into mechanical energy.

The prime movers which are in common use are Pelton wheel (HIGH HEAD LOW DICHARGE), francis turbine (MEDIUM
HEAD AND MEDIUM DISCHARGE) and kaplan turbines (LOW HEAD HIGH DISCHARGE.)

A power house consists of two main parts, a sub-structure to support the hydraulic and electrical equipment and a
superstructure to house and protect this equipment.

Tailrace is the area where water after being used is discharged unto. The water discharged is either returned to the river
or diverted to other areas.

It is in the generator where the electricity is produced. When shaft of the turbine rotates, it produces electricity or AC in
the coils of the generator.