Hydropower Calculator

Hydropower Formulas

Power output for a dam:

$$P = \eta \times \rho \times g \times h \times Q$$

Where:

• $P$ = Power output (watts)
• $\eta$ = Efficiency of the turbine
• $\rho$ = Density of water (998 kg/m³)
• $g$ = Acceleration of gravity (9.81 m/s²)
• $h$ = Head (meters)
• $Q$ = Discharge (m³/s)

Power output for run-of-river installations:

$$P = 0.5 \times \eta \times \rho \times Q \times v^2$$

Where:

• $v$ = Flow velocity (m/s)