Water stored in a reservoir situated 75 m above the turbine of a proposed…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · Work and Energy · Work and Energy
Problem
Water stored in a reservoir situated 75 m above the turbine of a proposed hydro-electric plant is to be used for power generation. The density of water may be taken as 1000 kg m⁻³.
(i) Define the term "energy conversion efficiency" for such a plant.
(ii) Derive an expression for the maximum electrical energy that could, in principle, be obtained from a mass m of water released from the reservoir if all losses are neglected.
(iii) State any two practical factors that can reduce the efficiency of a real hydro-electric station and briefly explain how each factor leads to energy loss.