4. Renewable Energy

Hydropower — Quiz

Test your understanding of hydropower with 5 practice questions.

Practice Questions

Question 1

For a hydropower site with a gross head of 80 m and moderate flow, how is it classified by head category?

Question 2

Given a flow rate $Q=30\,\mathrm{m^3/s}$, gross head $H=50\,\mathrm m$, water density $\rho=1000\,\mathrm{kg/m^3}$, gravitational acceleration $g=9.81\,\mathrm{m/s^2}$, and overall efficiency $\eta=0.92$, what is the approximate electrical power output in megawatts?

Question 3

A penstock $300\,\mathrm m$ long and $0.8\,\mathrm m$ in diameter conveys $Q=5\,\mathrm{m^3/s}$ of water. With Darcy–Weisbach friction factor $f=0.015$, what is the head loss $h_f$ (m)?

Question 4

A turbine runs at $N=300\,$rpm delivering $P=5000\,\mathrm{kW}$ under head $H=200\,\mathrm m$. Its specific speed $N_s=\frac{N\sqrt{P}}{H^{5/4}}$. Which turbine type is most appropriate if $N_s\approx28$?

Question 5

Which greenhouse gas is most commonly emitted from large hydropower reservoirs due to anaerobic decomposition of flooded biomass?