Alternative energy sources:

Hydroelectric PowerBy: Zachary Wheeler

Introduction• In such a technologically-advanced society, the demands for fuel

and energy are steadily increasing. To fulfill these demands, we use many resources such as petroleum and coal. However, the use of non-renewable resources such as petroleum and coal creates a problem…

• These resources are NON renewable. We are quickly running out of resources, and stripping the Earth of its natural wonders in the process.

• Additionally, the burning of fossil fuels is horrible for the Ozone layer. Smog levels are increasing and the atmosphere is taking severe damage in the process.

• This is exactly why alternative energy sources are so crucial. Most of these sources do not create pollution and can be re-used.

Hydroelectric Energy

• One alternative to fossil fuels is hydroelectric energy

• Hydroelectric energy is created by harnessing the power of moving water, usually by restricting water flow to specific areas

• This energy source is very common in places such as Canada and is a great alternative to conventional methods such as burning fossil fuels

The History of Hydroelectric energy• “Hydro” is Greek, and means water• Hydroelectric energy is not a new concept, it has been around for

thousands of years• The ancient Romans developed turbines that would spin when water

pushed against them. The turbines were not used for electricity though, they were used to grind grains to make flour

• By the 1700’s, water mills were vastly used for pumping irrigation water and milling lumber and grain

• The Industrial Revolution and its demand for energy drove the development of hydroelectric energy production methods

• In 1878, William George Armstrong developed the first hydroelectric power scheme, used to power a single lamp

• This development could not have been possible without the invention of electricical generators and hydraulics

History Continued

• In 1882, the world’s first hydroelectric plant was created in Appleton, Wisconsin. (to the right is a photo of the plant)

• The plant could produce 12.5 kilowatts of power, enough to power 250 light bulbs

• By 1886, there were 45 hydroelectric plants in Canada and the U.S.

• Development continued to increase and by 1889, nearly 200 plants were operating in America alone

• Hydroelectric energy grew to be very popular and accounted for 40% of the power produced in the 1920’s

How Hydroelectric Dams Works• Large amounts of water are

stored in the reservoir behind the dam

• Gravity causes the water to rush through the intake grill near the bottom of the dam and flow through the penstock

• The water, which is flowing very quickly, rushes past a turbine and spins it.

• The turbine powers a generator, which produces electricity and sends power to many areas via power lines

How do generators work?• In general, the turbine converts the energy

of the water into mechanical energy, which then allows the generator to produce electricity

• The generator operation itself was based on the principles discovered by Daniel Faraday

• Faraday stated that when a magnet strikes a conductor, it causes electricity to flow

• Hydroelectric generators work off of the same principle. The turbine spins a rotor, which contains “field poles”, or loops of wire wound around magnetic laminations. These field poles are electromagnets

• The rotor rubs against a stator, which acts as a conductor

• This friction between the magnet and conductor produces electricity

Advantages and disadvantages of Hydroelectric Energy

Advantages:

• Minimal pollution. Fuel is not burned, so pollution is not a problem

• Rainfall renews the reservoir water, making hydroelectric energy renewable

• Reduces greenhouse gases• Low costs, easy to maintain

Disadvantages:

• Alters the natural landscape, which could lead to habitat destruction and disruption of normal wildlife patterns

• Depends on precipitation, so it is not always consistent

• Disrupts marine life habitats and migration patterns

What this project has taught me

• Before doing this project, I had no clue how efficient and widely-used hydroelectric energy really was. Now, I realize that hydroelectric energy is widely used in North America and is a great alternative to burning fossil fuels. I also learned how a generator works. It’s amazing to think that the concept of generators is only possible because of Faraday’s discoveries. I now know that when a magnet rubs on a conductor, it allows electricity to flow. After completing this project, I have become more aware of my surroundings, and the pollution that is found in my daily life. I believe that by using renewable resources, we can keep the atmosphere healthy and significantly reduce the amount of smog and pollution.

Works Cited:• Image sources:• http://www.americaslibrary.gov/assets/jb/gilded/jb_gilded_hydro_1_e.jpg• http://www.tva.gov/power/images/hydro.gif• http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/graphics/hydroturbine.jpg• http://pages.uoregon.edu/ecostudy/elp/energy/photos.html/dam09.jpg• http://

clasfaculty.ucdenver.edu/callen/1202/Intro/EarthPlaceSpace/ItaipuDam.jpg

• Websites used:• http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/encyclopedia/hydroelectri

c-energy/?ar_a=1

• http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/wuhy.html• http://ffden-2.phys.uaf.edu/104_spring2004.web.dir/Todd_Robyn/Page5.htm• http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/hyhowworks.html