Power Generation ＼ Hydroelectric Plant

History
In 1905, the construction of the Guishan Power Plant in Xindian District of New Taipei City was completed and it was the first hydropower plant in Taiwan. There are four main hydro power plants which are Guishan power plant in Xindian, Guishan power plant in Wulai, Houli power plant in Taichung, and the Zhumen power plant in Kaohsiung. In particular to two power plants in Xindian and Wulai, they leaded to the prosperous commercial development of Taipei. Another Houli power plant in Taichung brought the economic benefit around the middle district of Taiwan because the power transmission to Daijiaxi area so that people lived there could work at night. Moreover, Zhumen power plant in Kaohsiung offered power to agriculture there. After Taiwan’s economic situation stabilized, the Japanese began planning to develop the hydropower resources of Zhuoshui River and opened up the hydropower project in Sun Moon Lake.

Hydropower is a renewable energy source and the most important natural energy source in Taiwan. After the end of the Second World War, hydropower was the most important mode of power generation at that time, accounting for 93.3% of the total power generation, and the rest was coal-fired power generation, accounting for 6.7%. At present, Taipower has ten hydropower plants with an annual generating capacity of 4.5 billion kWh, though the hydropower generation accounted for only 1.4% of power generation in 2017. In order to increase green power, hydropower, which is a renewable energy source, has received renewed attention in the future.

Theory
The principle of hydropower generation is to use the conversion of potential energy and kinetic energy, for example, from the high water source of a river or reservoir to the lower position, the water flow pushes the turbine to rotate, and drives the generator to work.

Hand drawing

Hydropower generation can be divided into conventional power generation and pumping power generation according to the operation mode, while conventional power generation is divided into Run-of-the-river hydroelectricity, retention basin, and ervoir type. The conventional hydropower plants will build a river dam at a high point, and the water after passing the generator is still very clean, so it can also become industrial water and downstream tap water. In addition to water storage and power generation, the design of the reservoir dam can also prevent floods. However, compared with pumped storage power and conventional hydropower, it has a design of upper and lower pool that conventional hydropower doesn’t.

Hand drawing

Current Situation
◎Pros :
1.Environmentally friendly renewable energy can be reused.
2.Low operating costs. The process does not emit carbon dioxide and other air pollutants.
3.Fast start. It is suitable as a peak load power supply.

◎Cons:
1.The construction cost is high and the construction period is long (about 10 years).
2.It is difficult to find a suitable location for the construction of the dam now.
3.Due to limited water resource utilization, it is unable to generate electricity for a long time.

Taiwan is trying hard to develop green energy currently. Although it is impossible to build a large hydropower plant, we have found that we can use large channels or streams to develop “small hydro” and generate electricity from turbines. It is still potential to provide electricity for small communities or farms.