1. What is the Hydro Power Formula?

The hydro power formula calculates the electrical power that can be generated from flowing water. It takes into account the efficiency of the system, water density, gravitational acceleration, vertical head, and water flow rate.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the hydro power formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Power output in watts
• \( \eta \) — Efficiency of the system (0-1)
• \( \rho \) — Water density (typically 1000 kg/m³)
• \( g \) — Gravitational acceleration (9.81 m/s²)
• \( h \) — Head or vertical drop in meters
• \( Q \) — Flow rate in cubic meters per second (m³/s)

Explanation: The formula calculates the theoretical power available from falling water, then applies the system efficiency to determine actual electrical output.

3. Importance of Hydro Power Calculation

Details: Accurate hydro power calculation is essential for designing hydroelectric systems, estimating potential energy production, and evaluating site feasibility.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter efficiency as decimal (0.85 for 85%), water density (default is 1000 kg/m³ for pure water), head in meters, and flow rate in m³/s. All values must be positive.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is typical efficiency for hydro systems?
A: Modern hydroelectric plants typically have efficiencies between 80-90% (0.8-0.9).

Q2: How does head affect power output?
A: Power is directly proportional to head - doubling the head doubles the power output.

Q3: What if my water isn't pure?
A: For seawater (density ~1025 kg/m³) or other fluids, adjust the density value accordingly.

Q4: How do I convert flow from liters/second to m³/s?
A: Divide liters/second by 1000 (1 m³/s = 1000 L/s).

Q5: What's a realistic head for small hydro?
A: Small hydro systems often operate with heads between 2-20 meters, though both lower and higher heads are possible.