Energy Resources: Hydroelectric Energy

A source of energy from flowing water

Hydroelectric

Generated in power plants when energy sources are tapped

Electricity

Bodies of water that flows downward. Also called cascade

Waterfalls

From the greek word “therme”

heat

Almost ____ is generated by hydroelectricenergy.

40%

Energy Sources

Fossil Fuels, Nuclear Fuels, Biofuel, Wind, Hydroelectricity, Geothermal, Tides, Sun, Water Tides

Types of Energy Sources

Renewable and Non-renewable

Renewable

energy resources are natural source of energy that can be replenished over time; thus it does not deplete. It is often called clean energy. Wind, Hydropower, Solar, geothermal, Biomass

Non-renewable

energy resources are those energy resources that deplete and will not be replenished. Oil, Coal, Nuclear, Natural Gas,

Hydroelectric Energy

The use of water to produce electricity. Hydropower plants are the world’s leading renewable energy source, producing 83% of renewable power.

Components of Hydropower Plant

Dam, Penstock, Powerhouse,

A dam

that creates a large waterfall and stores enough water to supply the plant at all

times.

A penstock

channels water from the reservoir to the turbines.

A powerhouse

that houses the turbines driven by the waterfall and the generator driven by the turbines.

Types of Hydropower Plants

Impoundment facility, Diversion or Run-of-river plants, Pumped storage facility

Impoundment facility

Uses a dam to store water. Then releases water to generate electricity.

Diversion or Run-of- River Facility

Works by redirecting water facility through a little dam into pipes towards a penstock and

feeding it downhill to the power station.

Pumped Storage Powerplant

Combines a small storage reservoir with a system for a cycling water back into the reservoir after it has been released through the turbine.