Hydroelectric power plants

Hydroelectricenergy

Index●1-What is hydraulic energy?●2-How is this energy produced?●3-Hydraulic power plants●4-Advantages and disadvantages●5-Definition of renewable and non-renewable energy●6-Hydraulic power plants in Galicia, Spain and Europe●7-Environmental impact●8-Conclusions●9-Video●10-Credits

1-What is hydraulic energy?

The water that produces hydraulic energy is stored in reservoirs and lakes at a high altitude, so it has a potential gravitational energy. At a given time, it falls down to a lower level. The energy released is transformed into kinetic energy and then into electrical energy at a hydroelectric power plant.

Diagram

2-How is this energy produced?

●Hydroelectric power plants produce energy provided by the stored water in a dam, converting it into kinetic energy. This energy moves the blades of the turbine.

●Depending on the destination of the water, hydraulic power plants are divided into two main types: gravity or pump.

3-Hydraulic power plants

●Gravity-driven hydraulic power plants:The water used follows the course of a river and will not be reused.

●Pump-driven hydraulic power plants:The water descends into a reservoir located at a lower height and then it is pumped to a higher reservoir to be reused.

Category PowerLarge power plant More than 5MWSmall power plant 1MW-5MWMini-power plant 100KW-1MWMicro-power plant 1KW-100KW

4-Advantages and disadvantages

-Advantages: It is a clean energy source, without any waste products and it is easy to store. Also, the water stored in reservoirs situated at a certain altitude permits the regulation of the flow of the river.

-Disadvantages:The construction of hydroelectric plants is expensive and needs large networks of power cables. Reservoirs also mean the loss of productive soil and fauna due to the flooding of their habitat.

5-Definition of renewable and non-renewable energy

Renewable:This energy is abundant and inexhaustible.

Non-renewable:-This energy is not abundant.-It runs out when we use it all up.-It cannot be renewed in a short period of time.

6-Hydraulic power plants in Galicia, Spain and Europe

7-Environmental impact

● Impact on the water:There is a disruption of the river’s natural flow and in the generation of microclimates. Hydropower plants cause a decrease in the flow of the rivers and streams below the dam, and also in the quality of the water.

● Impact on the atmosphere:This energy is clean, so there is no negative impact on the atmosphere.

● Impact on the land:The flooding of fertile land and residential areas is a possibility.

8-Conclusions

●Hydroelectric power is a clean and renewable energy, but it has some disadvantages.

●There should be more people using this energy instead of fossil fuels.

9-Video

10-Credits

Done by: CAROU LAÍÑO, MIRANDA REGADES TUBÍO, EVA SAAVEDRA FUNGUEIRIÑO, JORGE

Bilingual section of Technology Group 3º ESO-B IES Praia Barraña - Boiro (Spain) March, 2016