Hydro-Electric Power
| Hydroelectric power is the most used form of renewable energy in the world today. It accounts for 19% of the world’s total energy production and over 60% of the worlds total energy produced by renewable resources. It is more predictable than wind or solar power,and it produces no greenhouse gas emissions which makes it a favourable choice of energy. Just as a coal-fired power plant uses steam to turn the turbine blades; a hydroelectric plant uses falling water to turn the turbine. The results are the same. A electric current is fed through power lines, ready to be used. Dams are built in order to guide and control water. Dams store a lot of water behind them, in a space called a reservoir. Water can only flow through a tunnel at the bottom of the dam called a penstock. This penstock guides the water towards turbines that are hooked up to a generator. When the turbine spins due to the movement of the falling water, it causes the generator to spin. Electromagnets are attached to the generator so when the rotor turns, it causes the electromagnets to move past the conductors mounted in the stator. This in turn, causes electricity to flow and a voltage to develop at the generator output terminals. The largest advantage of using hydroelectric power is the elimination of the cost of fuels. Since the cost of fossil fuels have increased dramatically over the years, it has become more and more expensive to use energy. Using hydroelectric power ensures that your energy is not subject to change according to fuel prices. Although there is cost in the building of the dam, there is no cost for the water afterwards and there is no waste or pollution present. |
Sources "Hydroelectric Power: How It Works." USGS Science for a Changing World. 26 Feb. 2008. 03 July 2008 <http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/hyhowworks.html>. "Energy Resources: Hydroelectric." Energy Resources. 12 Feb. 2008. 03 July 2008 <http://home.clara.net/darvill/altenerg/hydro.htm>. |