Grade 12 PHYSICAL SCIENCE SY 2018-19 | Performance Task

Content
Hydroelectric Power
Organization
Name: Bethany Talbot Group: 3 . References

Empowered like Mary Grade 12 – Orosa Date: February 6, 2019 . TOTAL /10
to lead in Service

Hydroelectricity is the electricity transformed from the potential energy of a mass of water
flowing down from a high level. This is the cheapest source of energy which is also renewable
and environmentally benign while it runs. There are three types of hydropower plants:
impoundment, diversion, and pumped storage.

The first and most common type is an impoundment facility, which is

also known as reservoir. It is typically a large hydropower system that
stores river water in a reservoir using a dam. A generator to produce
electricity is activated by the spinning of a turbine through the water
released from the reservoir.

The next type is the diversion hydropower plant, sometimes known as

run-of-river. It utilizes a portion of the stream flow from a river as it comes
through a canal or penstock without the need of a storage (dam).

The last type is called the pumped storage which stores electricity by
pumping water upwards from a reservoir at a lower elevation to another
reservoir at a higher elevation. When the demand for electricity is high,
water is released back to the lower reservoir through turbines to
produce electricity.

The development of hydroelectricity in the Philippines started in 1913 with the first
hydropower plant called the Camp John Hay Hydroelectric Power Plant with an installed capacity
of 560 kilowatts, which was established by missionaries in Baguio City. With the abundance of
water sources in the Philippines, the use of hydroelectricity can be implemented almost
everywhere. In fact, as of 2018, there are more than 30 hydropower plants across the country.
Although electricity production in the country is still dominated by thermal sources such as natural
gas and coal, hydropower is by far the largest renewable energy source with a share of 11.4%.
Currently, the biggest in the country is the Kalayaan Pumped-Storage Hydroelectric Power Plant
located in Kalayaan, Laguna with a generating capacity of 685 megawatts.

Even if the country is already using hydroelectricity as an energy source, the primary
source of energy is still fossil fuels, which is said to be more abundant and cheaper. This can
actually be debunked by the fact that hydropower plants may be expensive to build, but in the
long run, they are much cheaper to maintain and are very reliable for a long life. It is also a much
cleaner source as it will not contribute to the greenhouse gases by polluting the air unlike the
burning of fossil fuels. Lastly, it very flexible in terms of consumption since the energy produced
can be stored when not in need and the flow can be easily redirected from one place to another
as needed.

Having enumerated some the benefits of using hydroelectricity, it also comes with its
disadvantages. One of which is environmental damages like the habitats of fish since the natural
flow of water is being interrupted. This can cause further interruptions in the overall ecosystem.
Another drawback is the risk of flooding in low lying locations due to the possible strong water
currents that might be released from the dam. This can affect the livelihood of people living in
areas like this and could even force them to move out to different places.
 Grade 12 PHYSICAL SCIENCE SY 2018-19 | Performance Task
Content
Hydroelectric Power
Organization
Name: Bethany Talbot Group: 3 . References

Empowered like Mary Grade 12 – Orosa Date: February 6, 2019 . TOTAL /10
to lead in Service

References

https://www.energy.gov/eere/water/types-hydropower-plants

https://www.hydroworld.com/index/faq/hydropower-101/hydropower-technology-and-types-of-
hydroelectric-power-plants.html

https://powerphilippines.com/2016/07/05/277/

https://www.scribd.com/doc/73794461/Hydroelectric-Power-Plants-in-the-Philippine-1

https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2017/03/02/1675939/hydropower

https://www.energy.gov/eere/water/benefits-hydropower

http://energyinformative.org/hydroelectric-energy-pros-and-cons/

https://connectusfund.org/10-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-hydroelectricity

https://www.toppr.com/bytes/hydroelectric-energy/

https://tunza.eco-generation.org/ambassadorReportView.jsp?viewID=43942

http://www.hrcshp.org/en/world/db/philippines.pdf
 Grade 12 PHYSICAL SCIENCE SY 2018-19 | Performance Task
Content
Hydroelectric Power
Organization
Name: Bethany Talbot Group: 3 . References

Empowered like Mary Grade 12 – Orosa Date: February 6, 2019 . TOTAL /10
to lead in Service

References

Ayres, C. (2018, July 8). 10 Advantages and Disadvantages of Hydroelectricity. Retrieved from
https://connectusfund.org/10-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-hydroelectricity

Degamo, C. (2018, March 1). HYDRO POWER PLANT / HYDROELECTRIC ENERGY in the
PHILIPPINES - Ambassador report - Our Actions - Tunza Eco Generation. Retrieved
from https://tunza.eco-generation.org/ambassadorReportView.jsp?viewID=43942

Estoperez, N. (n.d.). Country Report on Small Hydro Power. Retrieved from

http://www.hrcshp.org/en/world/db/philippines.pdf

Hydro World. (n.d.). Hydropower Technology and Types of Hydroelectric Power Plants.
Retrieved from https://www.hydroworld.com/index/faq/hydropower-101/hydropower-
technology-and-types-of-hydroelectric-power-plants.html

Maehlum, M. A. (2014, February 21). Hydroelectric Energy Pros and Cons - Energy
Informative. Retrieved from http://energyinformative.org/hydroelectric-energy-pros-and-
cons/

Magno, A. (2017, March 2). Hydropower | Philstar.com. Retrieved from

https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2017/03/02/1675939/hydropower

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. (n.d.). Types of Hydropower Plants |
Department of Energy. Retrieved from https://www.energy.gov/eere/water/types-
hydropower-plants

Quiambao, J. (n.d.). Hydroelectric Power Plants in the Philippine 1. Retrieved from

https://www.scribd.com/doc/73794461/Hydroelectric-Power-Plants-in-the-Philippine-1

Roque, V. (2016, July 5). The Power of Hydropower in the Philippines. Retrieved from
https://powerphilippines.com/2016/07/05/277/
 Grade 12 PHYSICAL SCIENCE SY 2018-19 | Performance Task
Content
Hydroelectric Power
Organization
Name: Bethany Talbot Group: 3 . References

Empowered like Mary Grade 12 – Orosa Date: February 6, 2019 . TOTAL /10
to lead in Service