Designing a Penstock for Hydroelectric Power Generation

Designing a penstock 1
DESIGNING A PENSTOCK
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Designing a penstock 2
ABSTRACT
In hydroelectric power, penstock is very vital for the operation since it is through this
penstock that water at a very high speed travels from the reservoir to the powerhouse to help
generate electrical power. In this project proposal, a stronger and pressure resistance penstock is
proposed for the design. A stronger penstock will ensure more electrical energy is produced
since it can withstand that high pressure of water flowing from the reservoir to the powerhouse.
A stronger penstock will as well help to reduce the cost of maintenance in the hydroelectric
power stations.

Designing a penstock 3
INTRODUCTION
Background information
Pumped storage is mechanism that can be used in the storage of electrical energy in form of
water stored in the reservoir. The water moves from the reservoir to the powerhouse through the
penstock at a very high pressure. In pumped hydroelectric power, there is some water which is
stored in the reservoir, this water will then be released through the penstock to the powerhouse at
a very high speed. In the powerhouse, the high-speed water is directed to the water turbines
which will then rotate and in turn rotates the generators which are coupled with the turbines. This
then will result in the generation of electrical power. 3wTherefore for the design of the penstock,
tensile strength must be considered to ensure that the pipe does not collapse while water is
traveling at a higher speed. The below is a prototype of how the penstock is connected to the
pumped energy storage system.
Fig 1: Showing how the penstock is connected to the pumped energy storage system. (Webinars,
2012).

Designing a penstock 4
Pumped storage is employed since it is used in the storage of water during the rainy seasons and
then used the stored water during the dry season when there is no sufficient water for the supply
of the required electric power.
Objectives of the proposal
The main aim of this proposal is to develop a very strong penstock which will be able to
withstand the high pressure of water from the reservoir to the powerhouse resulting to the
production of more electrical energy due to the higher pressure of water subjected to the water
turbines.
The significance of the proposal
This proposal suggests a design of a penstock which will highly help to increase the amount of
electrical power generated and it will also help to reduce the cost of maintenance of the electrical
power plant.
LITERATURE REVIEW
PROJECT SUMMARY
Hydropower, a renewable and mature energy source utilizes water from higher to lower altitude
to generate power. Hydro Power is one of the proven, predictable and cost effective sources of
renewable energy. Hydropower system (Fig 2) comprises of hydro source, diversion/storage
system, water conductor system (channel/tunnel/penstock), power house building, generating and
control equipment. Penstock is a conduit or tunnel connecting a reservoir/forebay to hydro
turbine housed in powerhouse building for power generation. It withstands the hydraulic pressure