Concept 1 / 3
Hydro Power Formulas
Main power equation:
P_turbine = η_s · ṁ_water · g · h_useful
= η_s · q̇_water · ρ_water · g · h_useful
- η_s = hydraulic efficiency (85–92%)
- q̇_water = volumetric flow rate [m³/s]
- ρ_water = 1000 kg/m³
- g = 9.81 m/s²
Flow rate: q̇ = v · A
Mass flow: ṁ = ρ · q̇
Useful head:
h_useful = (h_u − h_l) + (p_u − p_l)/(ρ·g) + (v_u² − v_l²)/(2·g)
Example: q̇ = 100 m³/s, h = 50 m, η = 0.88:
P = 0.88 · 100 · 1000 · 9.81 · 50 = 43.2 MW