What this calculator does
Hydroelectric power output works out power generated by a dam turbine from head, flow rate and efficiency. Enter your own figures above and the answer updates as you type: nothing is fixed in the code, so the result reflects exactly the numbers you supply.
The formula this calculator evaluates is printed under the tool and explained below, so you can check the working by hand or reuse it in a spreadsheet.
The formula
FormulaP = η × ρ × g × h × Q (ρ = 998 kg/m³, g = 9.81 m/s²)
The inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Turbine efficiency (%) | A number, measured in %. Starts at 85. |
| Head (fall height) (m) | A number, measured in m. Starts at 50. |
| Flow rate (m³/s) | A number, measured in m³/s. Starts at 2. |
Worked examples
Every figure in the tables below is produced by this page’s own calculator at build time, so the numbers and the tool always agree. Select any row to load that scenario.
How the answer changes with turbine efficiency
Every other input is held at the calculator’s starting values while turbine efficiency varies. Select any row to load that scenario into the calculator.