hydroelectric power Flashcards
(15 cards)
What is Hydroelectric Power considered?
A renewable energy source
It is ultimately derived from the sun which drives the water cycle.
What is kinetic energy?
The energy of motion
Any moving object has kinetic energy.
What is an example of a device that converts kinetic energy into electric energy?
Water wheel
How does flowing water generate electricity in a hydroelectric power plant?
It causes the turbine to rotate, turning kinetic energy to electrical energy using a turbine generator.
What factors determine the energy generated in a hydroelectric power plant?
Head and flow rate
The greater the head and flow rate, the more energy produced.
What is flow rate?
Quantity of water flowing
How is power production related to river flow?
Directly proportional
Twice as much water flowing will produce twice as much electricity.
How is power production related to head?
Directly proportional
The further the water falls, the more power it has.
What must be considered when determining the head in a hydroelectric power system?
The pressure behind the water
What is the formula for calculating power in hydroelectric systems?
Power = head x flow x efficiency / 11.8
What are high head hydropower systems?
Dams where the height from which water falls is relatively high.
What are some negative environmental drawbacks of high head hydropower?
- Upstream flooding
- Decreasing fish population
- Reduced quality of upstream and downstream environment
What factors are considered for a hydropower project to be low impact?
- River flow
- Water quality
- Fish passage and protection
- Watershed protection
- Recreation
- Facilities recommended for removal
- Cultural resource protection
- Threatened or endangered species protection
What is a run of river system?
Uses the river’s natural flow and requires little to no impoundment, may involve a diversion.
What is the significance of hydropower globally?
An important renewable energy source worldwide
