Turbulent flow conditions can really affect how well turbines work. Here are some important points to consider:

1. Energy Loss: Turbulent flows cause more energy loss because of increased friction and messy swirling movements in the water. Studies show that turbulence can lead to energy losses of about 10-15% in hydraulic turbines.

2. Flow Distribution: When flow is turbulent, it doesn’t spread evenly across the turbine blades. This can cause some blades to work harder than others, which can mess with performance. Research shows that pressure can drop by up to 20% when conditions are turbulent.

3. Efficiency Metrics: We measure turbine efficiency ($\eta$) with the formula $\eta = \frac{P_{out}}{P_{in}}$. Here, $P_{out}$ is the power we get out of the turbine, and $P_{in}$ is the power we put in. In turbulent conditions, turbines can lose efficiency, dropping from normal values (85-90%) down to as low as 70%.

4. Operational Stability: Turbulent flows can cause vibrations and cavitation, which can damage the turbines and shorten their lifespan. This can lead to maintenance costs that could go up by over 30% for important projects.

It’s really important to understand and manage the effects of turbulent flow to make turbines work better and last longer.