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A method is provided for operating a hydroelectric power generating facility configured for operating in first and second operating modes. The facility includes a turbine driven power generating unit receiving a flow of water through an upstream conduit to generate electrical power. The method compr

A method is provided for operating a hydroelectric power generating facility configured for operating in first and second operating modes. The facility includes a turbine driven power generating unit receiving a flow of water through an upstream conduit to generate electrical power. The method comprises computing a first economic value for the generated electrical power when operating in the first operating mode, and computing a second economic value for the generated electrical power when operating in the second operating mode. The method further comprises comparing the first economic value with the second economic value to identify the operating mode that provides the higher economic value, and operating the turbine facility in the identified operating mode.

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1. A method for operating a hydroelectric power generating facility configured for operating in first and second operating modes, the facility including a turbine driven power generating unit receiving a flow of water through an upstream conduit to generate electrical power, the method comprising:co

1. A method for operating a hydroelectric power generating facility configured for operating in first and second operating modes, the facility including a turbine driven power generating unit receiving a flow of water through an upstream conduit to generate electrical power, the method comprising:computing a first economic value for the generated electrical power when operating in the first operating mode; computing a second economic value for the generated electrical power when operating in the second operating mode; comparing the first economic value with the second economic value to identify the operating mode that provides the higher economic value; and operating the turbine facility in the identified operating mode. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the facility includes hydrogen producing equipment and the first operating mode involves producing hydrogen from the generated electrical power.3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first operating mode further includes transporting the hydrogen away from the facility using a hydrogen distribution system.4. The method of claim 3, wherein the hydrogen distribution system is a gas or liquid pipeline.5. The method of claim 2, wherein the facility is connected to a utility grid and the second operating mode involves supplying the generated electrical power to the utility grid.6. The method of claim 2, wherein the generated electrical power is DC power and the hydrogen producing equipment includes an electrolyzer.7. The method of claim 2, wherein the generated electrical power is AC power and the method further includes converting the AC power to DC power when operating in the first operating mode.8. The method of claim 2, further including storing the hydrogen in a hydrogen storage vessel.9. The method of claim 2, further including capturing at least one byproduct of the hydrogen production process during the first operating mode.10. The method of claim 2, further including filtering the hydrogen produced during the first operating mode to remove impurities.11. The method of claim 1, wherein the first operating mode utilizes hydrogen to transport the generated electrical energy away from the facility and the second operating mode utilizes a utility grid.12. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second economic values is based on a unitized energy value derived from past performance.13. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second economic values is based on a unitized energy value obtained from a remote source via a communications link.14. A hydroelectric turbine installation configured for operating in first and second operating modes, the installation including a turbine driven power generating unit receiving a flow of water through an upstream conduit to generate electrical power, the turbine installation comprising:means for computing a first economic value for the generated electrical power when operating in the first operating mode; means for computing a second economic value for the generated electrical power when operating in the second operating mode; means for comparing the first economic value with the second economic value to identify the operating mode that provides the higher economic value; and means for operating the turbine facility in the identified operating mode. 15. The turbine installation of claim 14, wherein the turbine installation includes means for producing hydrogen and the first operating mode involves producing hydrogen from the generated electrical power.16. The turbine installation of claim 15, further including means for transporting the hydrogen away from the facility.17. The turbine installation of claim 16, wherein the means for transporting the hydrogen includes a gas or liquid pipeline.18. The turbine installation of claim 15, wherein the facility is connected to a utility grid and the second operating mode involves supplying the generated electrical power to the utility grid.19. The turbine installation of claim 15, wherein the generated electrical power is DC power and the means for producing hydrogen includes an electrolyzer.20. The turbine installation of claim 15, wherein the generated electrical power is AC power and the turbine installation further includes means for converting the AC power to DC power when operating in the first operating mode.21. The turbine installation of claim 15, further including means for storing the hydrogen.22. The turbine installation of claim 15, further including means for capturing at least one byproduct of the hydrogen production process during the first operating mode.23. The turbine installation of claim 15, further including means for filtering the hydrogen produced during the first operating mode to remove impurities.24. The turbine installation of claim 14, wherein at least one of the first and second economic values is based on a unitized energy value derived from past performance.25. The turbine installation of claim 14, wherein at least one of the first and second economic values is based on a unitized energy value obtained from a remote source via a communications link.26. A method for performing an economic comparison analysis in a hydroelectric power generating facility, the facility including a turbine driven power generating unit receiving a flow of water through an upstream conduit to generate electrical power, the facility capable of operating in a first operating mode wherein the generated electrical power is transported away from the facility using a first energy carrier and a second operating mode wherein the generated electrical power is transported away from the facility using a second energy carrier, the method comprising:computing a first economic value for the generated electrical power when the first energy carrier is used; computing a second economic value for the generated electrical power when the second energy carrier is used; comparing the first economic value with the second economic value to identify the operating mode that provides the higher economic value; and operating the turbine facility in the identified operating mode. 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the facility includes hydrogen producing equipment and the first operating mode involves producing hydrogen from the generated electrical power.28. The method of claim 27, wherein the first operating mode further includes transporting the hydrogen away from the facility using a hydrogen distribution system.29. The method of claim 28, wherein the hydrogen distribution system is a gas or liquid pipeline.30. The method of claim 27, wherein the facility is connected to a utility grid and the second operating mode involves supplying the generated electrical power to the utility grid.31. The method of claim 27, wherein the generated electrical power is DC power and the hydrogen producing equipment includes an electrolyzer.32. The method of claim 27, wherein the generated electrical power is AC power and the method further includes converting the AC power to DC power when operating in the first operating mode.33. The method of claim 27, further including storing the hydrogen in a hydrogen storage vessel.34. The method of claim 27, further including capturing at least one byproduct of the hydrogen production process during the first operating mode.35. The method of claim 27, further including filtering the hydrogen produced during the first operating mode to remove impurities.36. The method of claim 26, wherein the first energy carrier is hydrogen and the second energy carrier is a utility grid.37. The method of claim 26, wherein at least one of the first and second economic values is based on a unitized energy value derived from past performance.38. The method of claim 26, wherein at least one of the first and second economic values is based on a unitized energy value obtained from a remote source via a communications link.