The picture illustrates the steps involved in generating hydroelectric power stations in two types.
Overall, electricity produced by a plant is traditionally produced in three stages, as opposed to in five stages at a run-of-river hydroelectric plant.
At the first stage of a traditional hydroelectric power plant, river water rises behind a dam until it is sufficiently high enough to enter an intake pipe near the top. After, the water flows down into a much lower turbine chamber whereupon it causes the machine’s blades to rotate, thus generating electricity. Finally, this power is then sent via transmission lines to customer’s homes.
On the other hand, in a run-of-river hydroelectric plant, the water running downhill is diverted from the river into a new channal. Then, water flow turns tubine blades and water is channeled away from the water’s primary path down a pipe into a turbine building further down the hill. On entering the building, the water causes turbine blades to rotate which in turn spins a generator that produces electricity. This power is then conducted by transmission lines above the plant to where it’s needed. Surplus water then exits the plant and rejoins the river to resume its original course.