Hydroelectric Power | | Flowing Water Into Hydroelectricity

Hydroelectric Power | | Flowing Water Into Hydroelectricity


Hydroelectric Power

Hydroelectric power is the electricity produced from generators driven by turbines that convert the potential energy of falling or fast-flowing water especially of river dams into mechanical energy. In the generation of hydroelectric power, water is collected or stored at a higher elevation and led downward through large pipes or tunnels to a lower elevation. The difference in these two elevations is known as the head. At the end of its passage down the pipes, the falling water causes turbines to rotate. The turbines in turn drive generators, which convert the turbines’ mechanical energy into electricity. Transformers are then used to convert the alternating voltage suitable for the generators to a higher voltage suitable for long-distance transmission. The structure that houses the turbines and generators, and into which the pipes  is called the powerhouse.

Water Dams To Store Large Volume Of Water

Although the generation of hydro power does not emit air pollution or greenhouse gas emissions, it can have negative environmental and social consequences. Blocking rivers with dams can degrade water quality, damage aquatic and riparian habitat, block migratory fish passage, and displace local communities. The benefits and drawbacks of any proposed hydro power development must be weighed before moving forward with any project. Still, if it's done right, hydro power can be a sustainable and nonpolluting source of electricity that can help decrease our dependence on fossil fuels and reduce the threat of global warming.

                                    Process Of Generating Electricity From Water

In order to generate electricity from the kinetic energy in moving water, the water has to move with sufficient speed and volume to spin a propeller-like device called a turbine, which in turn rotates a generator to generate electricity. Roughly speaking, one gallon of water per second falling one hundred feet can generate one kilowatt of electricity.

Hydro power can also be generated without a dam, through a process known as run-of-the-river.  In this case, the volume and speed of water is not augmented by a dam. Instead, a run-of-river project spins the turbine blades by capturing the kinetic energy of the moving water in the river.  

Hydro power projects that have dams can control when electricity is generated because the dams can control the timing and flow of the water reaching the turbines. Therefore these projects can choose to generate power when it is most needed and most valuable to the grid. Because run-of-river projects do not store water behind dams, they have much less ability to control the amount and timing of when electricity is generated.

Process Of Generating Electricity From Water Dams

Hydro electricity is the best source for pollution free energy. As the energy sources are depleting day by day hydroelectricity can be used as an alternative source of energy.

                    
                           This is all about Hydroelectricity generation.