Hydropower Calculator — Formule
## How to Calculate Hydropower Output
Hydropower converts the potential energy of falling water into electricity.
### Formula
**Power (kW) = Flow Rate (m3/s) * Head (m) * 9.81 * Efficiency**
**Annual Energy = Power * 8,760 hours * Availability Factor**
- **Flow rate**: Volume of water passing through the turbine per second
- **Head**: Vertical drop from intake to turbine
- **Efficiency**: Modern turbines achieve 85-93%
Hydropower converts the potential energy of falling water into electricity.
### Formula
**Power (kW) = Flow Rate (m3/s) * Head (m) * 9.81 * Efficiency**
**Annual Energy = Power * 8,760 hours * Availability Factor**
- **Flow rate**: Volume of water passing through the turbine per second
- **Head**: Vertical drop from intake to turbine
- **Efficiency**: Modern turbines achieve 85-93%
Exemple Résolu
A hydropower site with 5 m3/s flow, 30m head, 85% turbine efficiency, 90% availability.
- Power: 5 * 30 * 9.81 * 0.85 = 1,250.8 kW
- Annual energy: 1,250.8 * 8,760 * 0.90 / 1,000 = 9,857 MWh
- Homes powered: 9,857 / 10.5 = 939 homes