Join 60,000+ competitive exam aspirants
or with email
Your Cart
Subtotal₹0
Total₹0
Examoogle • User • info@examoogle.com • EE-2024-8821
Chapter 1 of 12 • Page 1 of 248🔒 Protected PDF • Watermarked
Join 60,000+ competitive exam aspirants
Which of the following is not a requirement for site selection of hydroelectric power plant?
Availability of water
Large catchment area
Rocky land
Sedimentation
Sedimentation
Sedimentation is not a requirement; rather, it is a detrimental process that reduces the effective storage capacity of a reservoir and can damage turbine blades. Site selection for a hydroelectric plant focuses on maximizing water availability, head, and structural stability of the terrain.
Sedimentation is not a requirement; rather, it is a detrimental process that reduces the effective storage capacity of a reservoir and can damage turbine blades. Site selection for a hydroelectric plant focuses on maximizing water availability, head, and structural stability of the terrain.
P=ηρgQH — Power output where η is efficiency, ρ is density, g is gravity, Q is discharge, and H is head.
Ep=mgh — Potential energy stored in the reservoir.
Hydroelectric power stations convert the potential energy of stored water (PE=mgh) into kinetic energy through penstocks, which then rotates a turbine to drive a generator. Excessive sedimentation leads to reservoir siltation, which decreases the lifespan of the dam and increases maintenance costs, making it a design challenge to be mitigated rather than a site selection requirement.
High head availability (H) is essential for efficient power generation.
Rocky land is preferred to ensure a stable foundation for the massive concrete structure of the dam.
A large catchment area ensures reliable water supply throughout the year.
Sedimentation is considered a negative factor that necessitates desilting chambers.
High operational efficiency
Long lifespan of infrastructure
Clean and renewable energy source
High initial capital investment
Risk of siltation and sedimentation
Ecological impact on local habitats
Base load power plants
Peak load management
Grid frequency regulation
Sedimentation occurs when rivers carry suspended solids that settle in the low-velocity reservoir area.
Effective site selection aims to minimize silt entry through proper dam wall location and spillway design.
D is correct — Sedimentation is an undesirable geological phenomenon that reduces dam capacity, whereas the other options are essential prerequisites for a viable hydroelectric site.
Always distinguish between 'site requirements' (beneficial conditions) and 'engineering challenges' (conditions that need mitigation). Sedimentation, evaporation, and seismic activity are typically engineering challenges.