Hydropower: Harnessing the Power of Water for a Sustainable Future

As the gates leading from Sam Rayburn Lake open, the water rushes towards the Kaplan turbines some 100’ below. The river begins to rise and swell below the dam as the ground below your feet vibrates with the power of the water’s flow. Fifty megawatts of electricity enter the grid to power homes near and far.hydro generator, low head hydro generator, 3 5 10 15 20 30kw hydro generator

“Hydroelectric generators are unique in the expedient way they can start and be producing power to the grid,” said Thomas Webb, Piney Woods regional hydropower manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District. “A hydroelectric generator can start and be producing electric power in a matter of 5-10 minutes, unlike fossil fuel or nuclear power plants.”hydro generator, low head hydro generator, 3 5 10 15 20 30kw hydro generator

According to the Corps of Engineers Hydropower Center of Excellence, hydropower is the largest single renewable source of electricity, generating more than all other renewable technologies combined: 27% of all renewable electricity; 6% of all electricity and 1% of all primary energy.

Hydropower is the process of converting the energy of flowing or falling water into electricity. It is a versatile and flexible energy source that can be harnessed in various ways, including dams, run-of-river systems, and tidal power. The most common method involves building dams across rivers, creating reservoirs that store water. When the water is released, it flows through turbines, which spin generators to produce electricity.hydro generator, low head hydro generator, 3 5 10 15 20 30kw hydro generator

The Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District manages three hydroelectric power plants that can provide up to 90 megawatts of power per hour to support the Texas power grid. This is enough electricity to power more than 100,000 homes.

The amount of electricity the Fort Worth District produces is based on an agreement with the Southwestern Power Administration and the amount of water in each reservoir.hydro generator, low head hydro generator, 3 5 10 15 20 30kw hydro generator

While the dams were built and are maintained by the Corps of Engineers, only the flood pool behind the dam is controlled by the Corps. Everything below that level is controlled by organizations like the Brazos River Authority who develop and distribute water supplies, provide water and wastewater treatment, monitor water quality, and pursue water conservation though public education programs.

“While in flood pool we tell them to generate full time,” said Timothy Helms, a hydraulic engineer in training for the district. “There are different zones that define how much we can release from each. So, in zone one they can generate a good amount and as you move lower into the pool, we start to limit how much they can generate for water supply purposes and concerns of droughts.”hydro generator, low head hydro generator, 3 5 10 15 20 30kw hydro generator