Question

Pondage in a hydropower station is _________________________________

(a) pond level

(b) temporary storage to meet peak demands

(c) excess runoff to last for years

(d) excess runoff for a few hours only

The question was asked in quiz.

Enquiry is from Thermal and Hydropower topic in section Hydro Electric Power of Irrigation Engineering

Answer 1

Correct choice is (b) temporary storage to meet peak demands

Explanation: The pondage takes care of the hour to hour fluctuations over a day or occasionally day to day fluctuations over a weekly cycle. It ensures that the desired instantaneous rate of flow into the turbines under day to day changing conditions of power load as well as of inflow. It may also be provided for weekly demands.