hydroelectric powerAlternative Energy

Hydroelectric power

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-1770s: French hydraulic and military engineer Bernard Forest de Bélidor wrote Architecture Hydraulique

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

Watermill of Braine-le-Château, Belgium (12th century)

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

Conservation of Energy

mgh=1/2mv^2

Power=energy transferred/time (Watt= Js^-1)

Power (in watt) = mgh/1s

Amount of available power

Physics Behind

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

675,000MW produced

3.6 billion barrels of oil

Advantages

Low Power Cost

Reduces CO2 Emission

Other uses of the reservoir

Renewable

News

disadvantages

Ecosystem damage and loss of land

Siltation and flow shortage

Methane emission (from reservoirs)

Failure risk

News

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." YouTube. YouTube, 18 Sept. 2007. Web. 21 May 2013.

"Swcphysics30." Swcphysics30. 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.