Hydroelectric Power Calculator

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Dam turbines exploit the pressure created by a water height difference (head). Run-of-river and tidal turbines capture the kinetic energy of moving water without a significant head.
Volume of water passing through the turbine per second. Larger rivers have higher flow rates.
m³/s
Effective vertical drop from the water surface to the turbine. Higher head means more pressure and more power per cubic metre of water.
m
Fraction of hydraulic power converted to electrical power. Modern Francis and Pelton turbines reach 85-95%. Kinetic turbines are limited to about 59% by the Betz limit.
%
Days per year the turbine runs at full capacity. Typical hydro plants operate 300-350 days allowing for maintenance and low-flow periods.
days/yr
Price received per kilowatt-hour sold. Enter 0 to skip revenue calculation.
USD/kWh
Power outputSmall hydro (1-10 MW)
1,663.8kW

Electrical power produced at rated flow and head

Power output (W)1,663,796W
Theoretical maximum power1,957.41kW
Annual energy output13,177.3MWh/yr
Annual energy output (kWh)13,177,266kWh/yr
Projected annual revenue1,317,726.62USD
Efficiency applied85%
85 %
Low efficiency<40Moderate40-60Good60-80Excellent80-95Near-perfect95+

This site can produce 1.66 MW of electrical power.

  • 1.7 MW is small-to-large hydro territory, enough for thousands of households.
  • At your operating schedule, this installation produces about 13177.3 MWh per year (13177266 kWh/yr).
  • Turbine losses account for 293.6 kW (15.0% of theoretical maximum). Upgrading efficiency by even a few percent compounds significantly over a year.
  • At USD 0.100/kWh, projected annual revenue is about USD 1,317,727.

Next stepConfirm the net head figure with a site survey: pipe friction, trash racks, and draft tube losses can reduce effective head by 5-15% compared to the gross head shown on maps.

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