This document discusses hydroelectric power and how it works. Hydroelectric power harnesses the kinetic energy of flowing water through dams and turbines to generate electricity. It is considered a renewable source of energy. Dams are constructed to collect and store water, increasing its potential energy. The flowing water spins turbines that are connected to generators, converting the kinetic energy to mechanical then electrical energy. While hydroelectricity provides a clean source of energy, large dams can negatively impact local ecosystems by altering water flows and habitats. The document also outlines some advantages and disadvantages of hydroelectric power systems.

1. Hydro electricity –TheHydro electricity –The
Future SourceFuture Source

4. Hydroelectric powerHydroelectric power (often called hydro power) is(often called hydro power) is
considered aconsidered a renewable energy source.renewable energy source. A renewable energyA renewable energy
source is one that is not depleted (used up) in the productionsource is one that is not depleted (used up) in the production
of energy. Through hydro power, the energy in falling waterof energy. Through hydro power, the energy in falling water
is converted into electricity without “using up” the water.is converted into electricity without “using up” the water.

5. Hydro power energy is ultimately derived from the sun, which drivesHydro power energy is ultimately derived from the sun, which drives
thethe water cyclewater cycle. In the water cycle, rivers are recharged in a. In the water cycle, rivers are recharged in a
continuous cycle. Because of the force of gravity, water flows fromcontinuous cycle. Because of the force of gravity, water flows from
high points to low points. There ishigh points to low points. There is kinetic energykinetic energy embodied in theembodied in the
flow of water.flow of water.

6. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. Any moving
object has kinetic energy.

7. Humans first learned to harnessHumans first learned to harness
the kinetic energy in water bythe kinetic energy in water by
usingusing waterwheelswaterwheels..
A waterwheel is a revolvingA waterwheel is a revolving
wheel fitted with blades,wheel fitted with blades,
buckets, or vanes.buckets, or vanes.
Waterwheels convert theWaterwheels convert the
kinetic energy of flowing waterkinetic energy of flowing water
toto mechanical energymechanical energy..

8. Not long after the discovery of electricity, it was realized that a
turbine’s mechanical energy could be used to activate a generator
and produce electricity. The first hydroelectric power plant was
constructed in 1882 in Appleton, Wisconsin. It produced 12.5
kilowatts of electricity which was used to light two paper mills and
one home.

9. Hydroelectric power (hydro power) systems convert theHydroelectric power (hydro power) systems convert the
kinetic energy in flowing water into electric energy.kinetic energy in flowing water into electric energy.
However the prior use of dams came to use as it collectsHowever the prior use of dams came to use as it collects
enough water and first preserves its energy as potentialenough water and first preserves its energy as potential
energy.energy.

10. How a Hydroelectric Power System Works - Part 1How a Hydroelectric Power System Works - Part 1
Flowing water is directed at a
turbine (remember turbines
are just advanced
waterwheels). The flowing
water causes the turbine to
rotate, converting the water’s
kinetic energy into
mechanical energy.

11. The mechanical energy produced by the turbine is converted intoThe mechanical energy produced by the turbine is converted into
electric energyelectric energy using a turbine generator. Inside the generator, theusing a turbine generator. Inside the generator, the
shaft of the turbine spins a magnet inside coils of copper wire. It isshaft of the turbine spins a magnet inside coils of copper wire. It is
a fact of nature that moving a magnet near a conductor causes ana fact of nature that moving a magnet near a conductor causes an
electric current.electric current.
How a Hydroelectric Power System Works – Part 2

12.  Hydro powerHydro power is available by creating dams in streamis available by creating dams in stream
and river flows. Hydro power generation is anand river flows. Hydro power generation is an
established technology and produces much as one fifthestablished technology and produces much as one fifth
of the world's electricity, which is slightly more than byof the world's electricity, which is slightly more than by
nuclear power.nuclear power.

14. Hydroelectric dam in cross sectionHydroelectric dam in cross section

15. Large Dams such as Hoover DamLarge Dams such as Hoover Dam
are able to provide large amounts ofare able to provide large amounts of
hydroelectric power; it has a 2.07hydroelectric power; it has a 2.07
gigawatt capability.gigawatt capability.
Hoover Dam is among the mostHoover Dam is among the most
recognized and renowned structuresrecognized and renowned structures
built by the Bureau of Reclamation.built by the Bureau of Reclamation.
The dam was authorized under theThe dam was authorized under the
Boulder Canyon Project.Boulder Canyon Project.

16. AdvantagesAdvantages
 The major advantage ofThe major advantage of
hydroelectricity is eliminationhydroelectricity is elimination
of the cost of fuel. The cost ofof the cost of fuel. The cost of
operating a hydroelectric plantoperating a hydroelectric plant
is nearly neglegible to the costis nearly neglegible to the cost
of fossil fuels.of fossil fuels.
 Where a dam serves multipleWhere a dam serves multiple
purposes, a hydroelectric plantpurposes, a hydroelectric plant
may be low construction cost,may be low construction cost,
providing a useful revenueproviding a useful revenue
stream for years after thestream for years after the
construction.construction.
Economics

17. 1. Once a dam is constructed, electricity can be produced at a constant
rate.

18. Environmental Considerations
High-head hydro Powers systems can produce a tremendous
amount of power. However, large hydro power facilities, while
essentially pollution-free to operate, still have undesirable effects
on the environment.

19. DisadvantagesDisadvantages
 Hydroelectric projects can be disruptive to surroundingHydroelectric projects can be disruptive to surrounding
aquatic ecosystems. The dams constructed consume aaquatic ecosystems. The dams constructed consume a
lot of space as well as it disrupts water flow. Thislot of space as well as it disrupts water flow. This
changes the environment in which the fishes live.changes the environment in which the fishes live.
Environmental damage

20. Population relocationPopulation relocation
 Another disadvantage ofAnother disadvantage of
hydroelectric dams is thehydroelectric dams is the
need to relocate theneed to relocate the
people living where thepeople living where the
reservoirs are planned.reservoirs are planned.
People living close to aPeople living close to a
power plant arepower plant are
vonurable to the threatsvonurable to the threats
arisen by the plant. Also itarisen by the plant. Also it
causes destruction of wildcauses destruction of wild
life.life.

21. Installation of new large hydro power projects today is very
controversial because of their negative environmental
impacts. These include:
flooding
declining fish populations
decreased water quality and flow
reduced quality of upstream and downstream environments
Glen Canyon June 1962 Glen Canyon June 1964

22. Scientists today are seeking ways to develop hydro power plants that
have less impact on the environment. One way is through low-head
hydro power Low-head hydro Powers projects are usually low
impact as well and have fewer negative effects on the environment.
Low-head and Low Impact Hydro power

23. Failures of DamsFailures of Dams
 Failures of large dams,Failures of large dams,
while rare, are potentiallywhile rare, are potentially
serious. Dams if carefullyserious. Dams if carefully
not constructed, duringnot constructed, during
collapse may causecollapse may cause
major destruction of livesmajor destruction of lives
and property. Itsand property. Its
generally larger than anygenerally larger than any
naturally occuring floodsnaturally occuring floods
and many times, higherand many times, higher
than tsunami.than tsunami.

24. Made by :Made by :
Anupam GoelAnupam Goel
Kendriya VidyalayaKendriya Vidyalaya
The pictures were not self taken, but downloaded from the internet