1. Facts Hydropower
The production of electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water.
Accounting for 16 percent of global electricity generation.
Hydropower is produced in 150 countries.
The Asia-Pacific region generating 32 percent of global hydropower in 2010.
China is the largest hydroelectricity producer.

3. A typical hydro plant is a system with three parts:
An electric plant where the electricity is produced.
A dam that can be opened or closed to control water flow.
A reservoir where water can be stored.

4. Working principle of Hydropower plant:
Most hydroelectric power comes from the potential energy of dammed water driving a water turbine and generator. The power extracted from the water depends on the volume and on the difference in height between the source and the water's outflow. This height difference is called the head. The amount of potential energy in water is proportional to the head. A large pipe delivers water to the turbine.

5. Types of hydropower plants:
Hydropower schemes with reservoirs for storage(Impoundment):
Hydropower schemes with large reservoirs behind dams can store significant quantities of water and effectively act as an electricity storage system. The amount of electricity that is generated is determined by the volume of water flow and the amount of hydraulic head available.

6. Pumped Storage:
pumped storage is a method of keeping water in reserve for peak period power demands. Pumped storage is water pumped to a storage pool above the power plant at a time when customer demand for energy is low, such as during the middle of the night. The water is then allowed to flow back through the turbine-generators at times when demand is high and a heavy load is place on the system.

7. Classification of Hydropower plants:
Head of water
Turbine used
High head power plants
more than 500 meters
Pelton turbine
Medium head power plants
from 80 to 500 meters
Francis turbine
Low head power plants
from 1.5 to 80 meters
Kaplan turbine and