Hydroelectric Power
Using water as a resource
What Is Hydroelectric Power?
Hydroelectric power is a dam that produces electricity. Water goes through the intake and flows through the penstock which then takes the water to a turbine. Then the turbine pushes the water into the river (outflow).
And this is all powered by a generator, which the generator is powered by long distance power lines.
Materials etc.
It's takes about 4-7 years to build a hydroelectric dam.
Materials Needed:
- Turbine
- Generator
- Powerhouse
- Transformer
- Control Gate
- Power lines
Effect on Humans
- The lake that forms behind the dam can used for water activities
- People living near the dam would have to move incase of a flood
Long Term Effects
- If affects migration patterns for fish
- It increases the evaporation to the atmospherest
Technology of Water Being Used
- The dam is renewable
- Can shut the gates to conserve water when needed
Highest dam in the world is Nurek Dam on the Vakhsh River in Tadzikistan.
Most are build for flood control and many other reasons.
Only a small amount of dams were built for power generation.
Surrounding environment
Positive effect on environment:
- They do not pollute the environment
- It's a clean source of energy
Negative effect on environment:
- Fish and other organisms can be killed going through the turbine
- Flooding that could destroy natural environments
- It is also very expensive to build ()