Hydropower harnesses the energy of water moving from higher to lower elevations. It can be generated from reservoirs and rivers. Reservoir hydropower plants rely on stored water in a reservoir, while run-of-river hydropower plants harness energy from the available flow of the river.
Hydropower reservoirs often have multiple uses - providing drinking water, water for irrigation, flood and drought control, navigation services, as well as energy supply.
Hydropower currently is the largest source of renewable energy in the electricity sector. It relies on generally stable rainfall patterns, and can be negatively impacted by climate-induced droughts or changes to ecosystems which impact rainfall patterns.
The infrastructure needed to create hydropower can also impact on ecosystems in adverse ways. For this reason, many consider small-scale hydro a more environmentally-friendly option, and especially suitable for communities in remote locations.
How Hydropower Energy Work?
Hydropower works by harnessing the energy that comes from the flow of water through a turbine connected to a generator, thus turning it into electricity. Most hydropower plants store water in a dam, which is controlled by a gate or valve to measure the amount of water that flows out. The greater the elevation of the dam, the more energy can be generated.
Just before the water flows over the dam, it gains potential energy, which is converted into kinetic energy as it flows downhill. The water is used to turn a turbine, which is connected to an electric generator that distributes the power to the end users.
Experiment
Advantage and Disadvantage of using Hydropower Energy
Advantages of Hydropower Energy
1) It is Inexpensive
2) It is Locally Produced
3) It Can Be Used For Irrigation
4) It is Renewable and Clean
5) It Pairs Very Well With Other Renewable Sources Of Energy
Disadvantages of Hydropower Energy
1) Hydroelectric Power Plants Can be Affected Adversely By The Environment
2) The Construction Of Hydropower Facilities Is Expensive
3) Hydropower Facilities Rely Largely On Local Hydrology
The largest users of Hydropower
The largest global consumers of hydropower include China, Brazil, and Canada. Hydropower consumption in these countries totaled 11.5 exajoules, four exajoules, and 3.4 exajoules, respectively.
