The Itaipu hydroelectric power plant has a rated generation capacity of 14000 MWe. There are 20 turbine-generators to produce the rated electricity. The water falls through 120 ft to the turbines. Assume water density = 1000 kg/m3 and gravitational acceleration g = 9.81 m/s^2.
(c) Based on the specific speed, what type of turbine should be chosen: Pelton wheel, Francis or Kaplan turbine?
(d) Calculate the load/capacity factor of the power plant if the annual power generation of the total power plant is 92 TWh in 2009.
(e) If the cost of the dam and the power plant cost 20 billion dollars, what is the cost per rated kWe?