Hydropower!

Hayley Satterlund and Meredith Wolfe

1st Hour

Uses/Functions

• Generates electricity• River transportation• Irrigation• Recreation• Flood Control• Most often used out of all renewable

energy sources• Powerplants must be located on a water

source

Components

Dam: Raises the water level of the river to create falling water

Turbine: The force of falling water pushing against the turbine's blades causes the turbine to spin

Generator: Connected to the turbine by shafts and possibly gears so when the turbine spins it causes the generator to spin also.

Transmission lines: Conduct electricity from the hydropower plant to homes and business.

How does hydropower produce energy?•Powerplants must be located on a water source•Power plants capture the energy of falling water to generate electricity•A turbine converts the kinetic energy of falling water into mechanical energy•Then a generator converts the mechanical energy from the turbine into electrical energy

The Lower Granite Dam on the Snake River in Washington state is a hydroelectric dam operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

What would hydropower replace?

•Fossil Fuels like:–Coal–Natural Gas

Advantages over non-renewable

•Fueled by water, so it's a clean fuel source•Doesn't pollute the air like power plants that burn fossil fuels•Relies on the water cycle, which is driven by the sun (therefore is renewable)•Generally available as needed

•Creates reservoirs that offer a variety of recreational opportunities

•fishing, swimming, and boating

• Most are required to provide some public access to the reservoir to allow the public to take advantage

•Water supply and flood control

More Benefits

Can Hydro Become Mainstream?

• The pros outweigh the cons but there are challenges

• Expensive to switch from our current energy producing plants to hydroelectricity systems

• Technology for systems may not be available everywhere

• Lack of fast flowing water in certain areas

Where is this alternative energy being used?

• Hydroelectricity makes up for 60% of the energy in the Northwest

• Pros: Most inexpensive form of energy (residents have lower energy bills), up to 240 tons of CO2 from burning coal and gas won’t be put into the air because hydroelectricity is clean for air and water

• Cons: Many fish passages are blocked by the dams and system equipment, and the water quality and flow may be affected

The Future of Hydroelectricity

• It’s likely that hydroelectricity will become more commonly used, however it’s unlikely that it will become a main source of energy

• Fast moving water may not be available in certain geographic areas

• Availability of new technology is also a contributing factor

Hydroelectricity in Michigan?

• Michigan is a good candidate for hydroelectricity

• Many available bodies of water that are good candidates for producing energy Hydroelectric plant in Ludington, Michigan. This

plant has 6 turbines that can produce about 1,872 megawatts.

Bibliography• http://www.fwee.org/abhydro.html• http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/renewable

/water.html• http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/hydro_basics.h

tml• http://www.need.org/needpdf/infobook_activities/SecInfo/Hy

droS.pdf• http://www.hydro.org/• http://www.ferc.gov/industries/hydropower/enviro.asp• http://www.waterencyclopedia.com/Ge-Hy/Hydroelectric-

Power.html• http://www.crpud.net/about-us/hydropower• http://new.wvic.com/index.php?

option=com_content&task=view&id=8&Itemid=45• http://www.nrel.gov/• http://new.wvic.com/index.php?

option=com_content&task=view&id=7&Itemid=44 -pictures