Energy generation by small hydro power plant under different operating condition

Energy is the basic input for the economic development of a country. The growing demand for energy generation has resulted in dependency on fossil fuels. The price of fossil fuels and security of energy supply has been a concern in India and other countries which can be overcome by the exploitation of the large potential of hydro power and renewable energy sources. India has vast potential in the range of small and medium size hydro power projects. Hydro power stations have an inherent ability of instantaneous starting, stopping, load variation and helpful in improving reliability of the power system. Operation of small hydropower system is the systematic procedure to obtain the maximum energy generation under different operating conditions with proper operating strategy. In the present paper, the operating strategy have been developed by analysing energy generation based on water availability. Different combinations of discharge for different units have been considered.