Water from a reservoir is fed to turbine of a hydroelectric system at a rate of 500 kg s–1

Q#803: [Work, Energy and Power > Hydroelectricity](Past Exam Paper – November 2012 Paper 11 Q21)

Water from a reservoir is fed to turbine of a hydroelectric system at a rate of 500 kg s–1. The reservoir is 300 m above level of the turbine.

The electrical output from the generator driven by turbine is 200 A at a potential difference of 6000 V.

What is the efficiency of the system?
A 8.0 %                       B 8.2 %                       C 80 %                        D 82 %



Solution 803:
Answer: D.
The water, being at a height of 300 m has gravitational potential energy. This energy is converted into kinetic energy of the turbine which then produces electrical energy.

Gravitational potential energy = mgh

Input power = Energy / time = mgh / t = (m/t)gh

Water from a reservoir is fed to turbine of a hydroelectric system at a rate of 500 kg s–1.
So, m/t = 500 kg s–1

Input power = 500 × 9.81 × 300 = 1 471 500 W

(Use g = 9.81 m s–2 and not 10 m s–2)


The electrical output from the generator driven by turbine is (I =) 200 A at a potential difference of (V =) 6000 V.

Output power = VI = 6000 × 200 = 1 200 000 W = 1.2×106 W

Efficiency = Output power / Input energy 

= (1471500 / 1200000) ×100% = 81.5% = 82%

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