Water Power
By Lauren
Bridgeport Falls
Bridgeport falls is located in southern Ontario and is home to the largest waterfall system in north america. It has a population of over one million people and another 3 million people live in the surrounding area. The area of the city is 209 square kilometers. Bridgeport falls is also a border town with another 5 million people living on the U.S side of the Falls.
Rivers, dams and reserviors
Rivers have been used as a source of electrical power ever since the 19th century. The power is harnessed (or secured) by building a dam across the river, creating a reservoir behind it. The water is allowed to rush through a specifically built channel, where it turns the blades of a turbine-a bit like an earlier waterwheel. The turbine drives a generator, which produces eletricity.
Turbines and generators
The generator works by changing mechanical energy into electrical energy. In a hydroelectric dam, the power of moving water provides mechanical energy by hitting the blades of a turbine and then turning them. The blades are connect to the shaft that is attached to a generator.Inside the generator, the shaft makes magnets spin inside wire coils to produce electricity. In dams, both turbines and generators are huge pieces of equiptment.
Micro-hydro systems
Some turbines used are much smaller then earlier waterwheels, and the modern versions are designed to work with low water speed. They can power generators that provide electricity for lights, heating, tools, pumps, and many other machines.
Advantages/ Benifits
My company will benefit by giving your homes clean water to go through your sinks, bath tubs and toilets. Water Power plants will not produce pollution. Reservoirs have many many uses. Reservoirs often provide the farmers with water for your crops. Reservoirs also provide boating and many other fun activities for the visitors.
Disadvantages/ Drawbacks
There are some disadvantages, a disadvantage is that some of the Water Power plants, they rely on rain fall can be undependable. Another disadvantage is Droughts, they reduce river water, they leave less water to make electricity.One more disadvantage is dams, they can harm the environment. When dams get built, areas that are upstream get flooded.