Hydroelectric Power Flashcards

Flashcards about Hydroelectric Power.

What is a body of water stored behind a dam called?

A reservoir.

What is the structure that controls the flow of water into a hydroelectric power plant?

An intake.

What is the pipe or channel that carries water from the reservoir to the turbine?

A penstock.

What does hydroelectric mean?

Generates electricity from the power of moving water.

What structure houses the turbine and generator in a hydroelectric plant?

A powerhouse.

What is the function of power lines?

Carry electricity over long distances.

What does a generator do?

Converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.

What does a turbine do?

Spins to convert the kinetic energy of water flow into rotational energy.

Which countries lead the world in hydroelectric production?

China, Brazil, Canada, the U.S., and the Russian Federation

What percentage of renewables worldwide does hydropower account for?

Nearly 50%.

What type of assessment is usually required before building new dams?

Environmental assessment.

What is a current global movement related to dams?

Remove old dams to return rivers to a natural state.

What is the typical power output of a small hydroelectric plant?

10 to 25 Megawatts

What is the power output of a micro hydropower plant?

Up to 100 Megawatts.

What is a micro hydropower plant's typical purpose?

Power a single home or small community, often found in developing countries.

What is the power output of a pico hydropower system?

Up to 5 MW

From where is water diverted in a pico hydropower system?

The river.

Where does an underground power station take its water from?

Water from the reservoir into an underground cavern for power generation

What system reuses water during peak electricity demand?

Pumped storage.

When is water typically pumped back to the reservoir in pumped storage systems?

At night, when energy use is low.

What is the purpose of pumped storage reservoirs?

They act as a battery.

What is the process of controlling the volume of water that goes through a dam called?

The intake system.

When are most of the tunnels to the turbine open?

During peak hours.

What is the function of a spillway?

Assists the intake system during floods, preventing damage to the dam and communities

What form can a spillway take?

Ramp or a hole.

Which states in the USA get most of their energy from Hydropower?

Idaho, Washington, and Oregon

What costs are often not accounted for when considering hydropower as a cheap energy source?

Environmental impacts.

What are some costs associated with the environmental impact of hydroelectric dams?

Loss of salmon and fish runs, methane from decomposing vegetation, loss to fisheries, and loss of habitat.

How many dam failures were reported in the USA between 2005 and 2013?

173

What are the main consequences of dam failures?

Property and environmental damage, loss of life, and infrastructure damage.

What are five common reasons for dam failures?

Overtopping, foundation defects, cracking, inadequate maintenance, and piping.

What is 'overtopping' in the context of dam failures?

Water flows over the dam.

What causes foundation defects?

Settling or unstable slopes.

What causes cracking in dams?

The dam settling over time.

On what river is the Three Gorges Dam located?

Yangtze River.

What is the Three Gorges Dam's distinction?

The largest power station.

Approximately how many people were displaced due to the construction of the Three Gorges Dam?

~1.2 million people.

What is the intended purpose of the Three Gorges Dam?

Protect people from flooding.

How many turbine generators does the Three Gorges Dam have?

32 turbine generators.

On what river is the Hoover Dam located?

Colorado River.

In what year was the Hoover Dam completed?

1936

Why was a large refrigerator built during the construction of the Hoover Dam?

Cool the cement.

Which states does the Hoover Dam supply power to?

California, Nevada, and Arizona.

How many people does the Hoover Dam supply power to?

Supplies power to 1.3 million people.

On what river is the Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant located?

Niagara River.

Where is the Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant located?

Lewiston, NY.

Where does the Niagara power plant return water?

Lake Ontario

On what river is the Grand Coulee Dam located?

Columbia River

What is the Grand Coulee Dam's distinction?

Largest hydropower dam in the USA.

What are the main purposes of the Grand Coulee Dam?

Flood control, power generation, irrigation, and recreation.