REHABILITATION OF AN OLD HYDRO POWER STATION - A CASE STUDY ON BALIMELA HYDRO ELECTRIC PROJECT

Abstract

The demand of electricity is increasing day by day as it is one of the most important factors which greatly influences the overall growth of the economy of any modem country. To meet this increasing peak demand hydro power stations are best choice as they have inherent ability for instantaneous starting, stopping, load variations etc and help in improving reliability in power system. But it has been seen that in recent years many old hydro power stations are running below their rated installed capacity because of several reasons. With their age the reliability and availability of these stations are also being adversely affected. Hence to tide over the shortage of electricity in the country and to overcome the problems associated with low production levels, rehabilitation of the existing old hydro electric power plants is considered as a cost effective option to ensure better efficiency, better availability and also to augment capacity addition. Rehabilitation is nothing but it is the act of restoring something to its original state.