hydroelectric power Alternative Energy Hydroelectric power is generated

hydroelectric power Alternative Energy

Hydroelectric power is generated by capturing energy from moving water. The gravitational potential energy stored in water transforms into kinetic energy as it moves downhill (flows). 24% of the world’s electricity Worldwide 70% of all renewable electricity in United States

Energy Flow Diagram

hydroelectric schemes Water stored in lakes Water stored in large reservoirs high up as feasible Tidal water storage Traps water at high tides and releases it during low tides Pump storage Water is pumped from a low reservoir to high reservoir

History B. C. : Used by the Greeks to turn water wheels for grinding wheat into flour Mid-1770 s: French hydraulic and military engineer Bernard Forest de Bélidor wrote Architecture Hydraulique Watermill of Braine-le-Château, Belgium (12 th century) 1880: A brush arc light dynamo driven by a water turbine 1881: A brush dynamo connected to a turbine 1882: World’s first hydropower plant High-Current Copper-Brush Commutated Dynamo

Water stored in lakes

Water Cycle

Turbine

Generator

Transmitting Power

Grand Coulee Dam

Tidal Water Storage

Rance Tidal Power Station

Pump Storage

Ffestiniog Pumped Storage

Physics Behind Conservation of Energy mgh=1/2 mv^2 Power=energy transferred/time (Watt= Js^-1) Power (in watt) = mgh/1 s Amount of available power

Efficiency 1848 James B. Francis, created turbine with 90% efficiency Tidal power plants have around 85% efficiency Pump power plants have negative efficiency

Current Status 24% of world’s electricity 675, 000 MW produced 3. 6 billion barrels of oil

Advantages Low Power Cost Reduces CO 2 Emission Other uses of the reservoir Renewable

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disadvantages Ecosystem damage and loss of land Siltation and flow shortage Methane emission (from reservoirs) Failure risk

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Advancements Fish Friendly Turbine EPRI, Alden Laboratories Pathway in the middle of the turbine

Advancements Hydroelectric Footwear Robert Komarechka moving liquid turns a turbine blade micro turbines will generate enough electricity to power almost any gadgets

Conclusion The hydroelectric power generates electricity by changing potential energy into kinetic energy Had advantages and disadvantages Continuous researches are done both in micro and macro scale due to it’s high efficiency It can be applied in micro scale, such as creating energy at household using hydropower

Citation "History of Hydropower. " Water Power Program: . N. p. , n. d. Web. 21 May 2013. "Hydroelectic Power - How It Works. " You. Tube, 18 Sept. 2007. Web. 21 May 2013. "Swcphysics 30. " Swcphysics 30. N. p. , n. d. Web. 21 May 2013. "All About Hydropower Energy. " What Is Hydropower Energy? N. p. , n. d. Web. 21 May 2013. "Do the Math. " Do the Math. N. p. , n. d. Web. 21 May 2013. "Energy Resources: Tidal Power. " Energy Resources: Tidal Power. N. p. , n. d. Web. 21 May 2013. "How Efficient Are Hydroelectric Dams? " Renewable Energy Index. N. p. , n. d. Web. 21 May 2013. "How Efficient Is Tidal Power? " Renewable Energy Index. N. p. , n. d. Web. 21 May 2013. "Energy. gov. " Energy. gov. N. p. , n. d. Web. 21 May 2013.