The main concept hydroelectric plants are based on is to transform the potential energy of resting mass of water and/or the kinetic energy of a water current into mechanic energy. Subsequently this energy will be converted into electric energy. Hydroelectric plants are subdivided into: big hydroelectric plants (or simply hydroelectric plants) and minor hydroelectric plants (or mini-hydroelectric plants). This subdivision depends on the power installed inside the plant and can take 10 MW as a reference value (actually in Italy minor hydroelectric refers to a maximum power of 3 MW). This subdivision is usually reflected on different types of plants: while large hydroelectric plants usually require wide surfaces to be submerged, with a significant environmental and social impact, small hydroelectric plants perfectly integrate with the local ecosystem (it directly exploits the river current).
Arch dam
Gravity dam
Hydroelectric basin
Penstocks
Hydroelectric turbines
Generator
Small hydroelectric plant
Francis turbine
Pelton turbine
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