HYDROELECTRIC POWER

Hydroelectric energy is produced by the force of falling water.

HOW IT WORKS:
1. The gravitational potential energy of the water is transformed into mechanical
energy when the water rushes down the sluice and strikes the rotary blades of the
turbine.
2. The turbine’s rotation spins electromagnets which generate current in stationary
coils of wire.
3. Finally, the current is put through a transformer where the voltage is increased
for long distance transmission over power lines.

Summarised energy transformation:

G.P.E of water  K.E of water  K.E of turbine  Electrical energy

SCHEMES:
1) Storing water in lakes
- Either natural or artificial, behind a dam
2) Tidal water storage
- Takes advantage of big differences between high and low tide levels in water
bodies such as rivers
- The water is released at low tide and, as always, the gravitational potential
energy is used to drive turbines to produce electrical energy.
3) Pumped storage
- Water is pumped to a high reservoir during the night when the demand, and
price, for electricity is low.
- The excess power produced from coal-fired power stations can be used to pump
water up into a reservoir which can be used to drive the turbines in the
daytime.
- In the long run, this reduces the amount of fossil fuel that needs to be burnt.

Advantages: No waste or pollution produced, Electricity can be generated constantly

Disadvantages: The dams are very costly to build, Water quality and quantity
downstream can be affected
TIDAL POWER
Tidal energy is produced when the tide moves a huge amount of water, and it is then
harnessed into producing energy.

HOW IT WORKS:
1. A huge dam (called a "barrage") is built across a river estuary. When the tide
goes in and out, the water flows through tunnels in the dam.
2. The ebb and flow of the tides can be used to turn a turbine, or it can be used to
push air through a pipe, which then turns a turbine.

Advantages: does not require any fuel, not expensive to maintain

Disadvantages: only provides power for about 10 hours a day due to the tides, only
few suitable sites for tidal barrages