Hydro electricity –The Hydro electricity –The Future SourceFuture Source

Hydroelectric powerHydroelectric power (often called hydro power) is (often called hydro power) is considered a considered a renewable energy source. renewable energy source. A renewable energy A renewable energy source is one that is not depleted (used up) in the production source is one that is not depleted (used up) in the production of energy. Through hydro power, the energy in falling water of energy. Through hydro power, the energy in falling water is converted into electricity without “using up” the water.is converted into electricity without “using up” the water.

Hydro power energy is ultimately derived from the sun, which drives Hydro power energy is ultimately derived from the sun, which drives the the water cyclewater cycle. In the water cycle, rivers are recharged in a . In the water cycle, rivers are recharged in a continuous cycle. Because of the force of gravity, water flows from continuous cycle. Because of the force of gravity, water flows from high points to low points. There is high points to low points. There is kinetic energy kinetic energy embodied in the embodied in the flow of water.flow of water.

Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. Any moving object has kinetic energy.

Humans first learned to harness Humans first learned to harness the kinetic energy in water by the kinetic energy in water by using using waterwheelswaterwheels..A waterwheel is a revolving A waterwheel is a revolving wheel fitted with blades, wheel fitted with blades, buckets, or vanes.buckets, or vanes.Waterwheels convert the Waterwheels convert the kinetic energy of flowing water kinetic energy of flowing water to to mechanical energymechanical energy..

Not long after the discovery of electricity, it was realized that a turbine’s mechanical energy could be used to activate a generator and produce electricity. The first hydroelectric power plant was constructed in 1882 in Appleton, Wisconsin. It produced 12.5 kilowatts of electricity which was used to light two paper mills and one home.

Hydroelectric power (hydro power) systems convert the Hydroelectric power (hydro power) systems convert the kinetic energy in flowing water into electric energy. kinetic energy in flowing water into electric energy. However the prior use of dams came to use as it collects However the prior use of dams came to use as it collects enough water and first preserves its energy as potential enough water and first preserves its energy as potential energy. energy.

How a Hydroelectric Power System Works - Part 1How a Hydroelectric Power System Works - Part 1

Flowing water is directed at a turbine (remember turbines are just advanced waterwheels). The flowing water causes the turbine to rotate, converting the water’s kinetic energy into mechanical energy.

The mechanical energy produced by the turbine is converted into The mechanical energy produced by the turbine is converted into electric energyelectric energy using a turbine generator. Inside the generator, the using a turbine generator. Inside the generator, the shaft of the turbine spins a magnet inside coils of copper wire. It is shaft of the turbine spins a magnet inside coils of copper wire. It is a fact of nature that moving a magnet near a conductor causes an a fact of nature that moving a magnet near a conductor causes an electric current.electric current.

How a Hydroelectric Power System Works – Part 2

Hydro powerHydro power is available by creating dams in stream is available by creating dams in stream and river flows. Hydro power generation is an and river flows. Hydro power generation is an established technology and produces much as one fifth established technology and produces much as one fifth of the world's electricity, which is slightly more than by of the world's electricity, which is slightly more than by nuclear power.nuclear power.

Hydroelectric dam in cross section Hydroelectric dam in cross section

Large Dams such as Hoover Dam Large Dams such as Hoover Dam are able to provide large amounts of are able to provide large amounts of hydroelectric power; it has a 2.07 hydroelectric power; it has a 2.07 gigawatt capability.gigawatt capability.

Hoover Dam is among the most Hoover Dam is among the most recognized and renowned structures recognized and renowned structures built by the Bureau of Reclamation.  built by the Bureau of Reclamation.  

The dam was authorized under the The dam was authorized under the Boulder Canyon Project.Boulder Canyon Project.

AdvantagesAdvantages

The major advantage of The major advantage of hydroelectricity is elimination hydroelectricity is elimination of the cost of fuel. The cost of of the cost of fuel. The cost of operating a hydroelectric plant operating a hydroelectric plant is nearly neglegible to the cost is nearly neglegible to the cost of fossil fuels.of fossil fuels.

Where a dam serves multiple Where a dam serves multiple purposes, a hydroelectric plant purposes, a hydroelectric plant may be low construction cost, may be low construction cost, providing a useful revenue providing a useful revenue stream for years after the stream for years after the construction.construction.

Economics

1. Once a dam is constructed, electricity can be produced at a constant rate.

Environmental Considerations

High-head hydro Powers systems can produce a tremendous amount of power. However, large hydro power facilities, while essentially pollution-free to operate, still have undesirable effects on the environment.

DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Hydroelectric projects can be disruptive to surrounding Hydroelectric projects can be disruptive to surrounding aquatic ecosystems. The dams constructed consume a aquatic ecosystems. The dams constructed consume a lot of space as well as it disrupts water flow. This lot of space as well as it disrupts water flow. This changes the environment in which the fishes live.changes the environment in which the fishes live.

Environmental damage

Population relocationPopulation relocation

Another disadvantage of Another disadvantage of hydroelectric dams is the hydroelectric dams is the need to relocate the need to relocate the people living where the people living where the reservoirs are planned. reservoirs are planned. People living close to a People living close to a power plant are power plant are vonurable to the threats vonurable to the threats arisen by the plant. Also it arisen by the plant. Also it causes destruction of wild causes destruction of wild life.life.

Installation of new large hydro power projects today is very controversial because of their negative environmental impacts. These include:

floodingdeclining fish populationsdecreased water quality and flowreduced quality of upstream and downstream environments

Glen Canyon June 1962 Glen Canyon June 1964

Scientists today are seeking ways to develop hydro power plants that have less impact on the environment. One way is through low-head hydro power Low-head hydro Powers projects are usually low impact as well and have fewer negative effects on the environment.

Low-head and Low Impact Hydro power

Failures of DamsFailures of Dams

Failures of large dams, Failures of large dams, while rare, are potentially while rare, are potentially serious. Dams if carefully serious. Dams if carefully not constructed, during not constructed, during collapse may cause collapse may cause major destruction of lives major destruction of lives and property. Its and property. Its generally larger than any generally larger than any naturally occuring floods naturally occuring floods and many times, higher and many times, higher than tsunami.than tsunami.

Made by :Made by :

Anupam GoelAnupam Goel

Kendriya VidyalayaKendriya Vidyalaya

The pictures were not self taken, but downloaded from the internet