Hydroelectric power is generated by the force of falling
water. It’s one of the cleanest, reliable and least expensive
source of energy.
A dam is built, then the water is held behind the dam. The
force of the water being released from the reservoir through
the dam causes the blades of the turbine to spin. The
turbine is connected to the generator which makes the
electricity as it spins. After
passing through the turbine,
the water flows back into the
river on the other side of the
dam.
No fuel required. This means that the cost is cheaper because that cost is not
depending on the price of fuels and there is no need to import fuel.
There is no air-pollution created and does not emit any harmful gases.
These plants last a long time, once one is built it can function from 50 to 100
years and longer.
The operating costs are cheaper because the plants require less employees due
to the fact that most of the operations are automated.
The plants work easily throughout the peak periods. The plants can be easily
started and stopped with little time.
The dams built prevent floods in nearby areas.
Water from these dams can also be used to irrigate farmlands even in areas
where there is little or none rainfall.
Disrupts the water life. The dams may interfere with the mating season and
also some fish may get caught in the turbines and die.
Disrupts the surroundings. In some cases many trees have to be cut down and
areas cleared which disrupts the animal life that depends on the trees.
Requires large areas. Requiring larger areas means more disruption to the
surrounding animals and forests.
Some people are forced to leave their homes and their land in order for these
plants to be built. These people are also not given any proper remuneration or
resettlement.
Expensive in cost to build these plants and takes a lot of time to construct one
as well. Also, if the dams aren’t constructed proper it could break causing many
deaths.(human and animal lives)
Some alternatives for Hydroelectric power are:
Solar energy
Geothermal energy
Wind energy
Tidal energy
Ocean wave energy
Storage Reservoir–Stores the dammed water
Dam Structure–Dams the water
Sluice Gates–Controls the water flow
Penstock–Tunnel leading the water to the
turbines
Turbines–Turns the generators when water
flows through
Generators–Produces the electricity when
turned by the turbines
Transformers–Transfers the produced
electricity to the electricity grid
http://www.darvill.clara.net/altenerg/hydro.htm
http://hubpages.com/hub/advantages-hydroelectric-power
http://www.brighthub.com/environment/renewableenergy/articles/7728.aspx
http://www.brighthub.com/environment/renewableenergy/articles/7729.aspx
http://www.darvill.clara.net/altenerg/hydro.htm
http://www.technologystudent.com/energy1/hydr2.htm
http://www.brighthub.com/environment/renewableenergy/articles/7730.aspx
http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&biw=1020&bih=567&defl=en&q=def
ine:Hydroelectric+Power&sa=X&ei=3jwJTanfBorU4gaTx9SIAQ&ved=0CBg
QkAE
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-hydroelectric-power.htm
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/eng4431
http://www.top-alternative-energy-sources.com/hydroelectricpower.html