Hydropower
Table of Contents
- 1 What is Hydropower?
- 2 What are the Advantages?
- 3 What are the Disadvantages?
- 4 Types of Hydroelectric Plants
- 4.1 Impoundment
- 4.2 Diversion
- 4.3 Pumped Storage
- 5 Parts of a Hydroelectric Plant
- 5.1 Dam
- 5.2 Turbine
- 5.3 Generator
- 5.4 Transmission Lines
- 6 What do you Need to Consider Before Building a Hydro Plant?
- 7 Technologies to Help Solve Hydropower Plant Problems
- 8 Ways to Increase Hydropower Amount
- 9 Additional Reading
- 10 References
- 10.1 Contributors:
Hydropower Plant [1] |
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What is Hydropower?
Hydropower uses water to power machinery or make electricity [4]. You can harness this energy through Dams, tidal and wave energy and turbines [5].
How is Hydroelectricity Generated?
Hydroelectric dams convert potential energy stored in water reservoirs behind a dam to mechanical energy (also known as kinetic energy). As the kinetic energy of the water flows downstream through the dam, it turns the turbine which generates electricity [6].
Major Hydro Facilities in Canada [2] |
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Major Hydro Facilities in Canada [2] |
What are the Advantages?
Creates reservoirs that offer recreational opportunities/activities (e.g. fishing, swimming, boating, etc.) [7]
Flood control
Irrigation
Increase in water supply
Provides back-up power during major blackouts or electricity outages by generating power to the grid immediately
Benefits of Hydropower [3] |
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Benefits of Hydropower [3] |
What are the Disadvantages?
Disrupt ecosystems through altering gas composition of the water flow which traps organisms in the reservoir water [8]
Damages surrounding vegetation, rivers, communities, wildlife
Displaces residents in that area
Vulnerable to silt build up (silt is a granular material with the size between sand and clay with a mineral origin of quartz and feldspar) which can cause issues with the capacity and equipment involved with the plant
Reliant on rain and snow
Expensive up front
Types of Hydroelectric Plants
Impoundment
Diversion
Pumped Storage
Parts of a Hydroelectric Plant
Dam
Turbine
Generator
Transmission Lines
Parts of a Hydroelectric Plant [4] |
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Parts of a Hydroelectric Plant [4] |