Glossary
Electricty Production by Small Hydroelectric Power Plants

Hydraulic circuit structures

Dam

Structure that retains water in a reservoir to feed a hydraulic circuit.

Reach or Canal

Water-carrying structure.

Loading chamber

Receptacle that receives water from the inlet canal and directs it to the penstock.

Pavement

Low dyke used to hold back river water.

Balance chimney

Chimney designed to moderate pressure variations during turbine start-up and shutdown. It is located at the end of the gallery before the penstock.

Valve

Valve rotating around one of its generators.

Penstock

The pipe...