Introduction to Hydropower Energy
Manufacturing Engineering
Lesson Plan
Performance Objectives
After completing this lesson, students will be able to discuss the growth of hydropower energy production to
the teacher’s satisfaction.
Specific Objectives
 Research various forms of hydropower energy sources.
 Research unique hydropower energy applications used around the world.
 Identify global sources and applications of hydropower energy technology.
 Research how much the use of hydropower has increased globally in the past 10 years.
 Create a slide presentation with photos and specifications of the 10 largest hydroelectric dams in the
world and the total amount of energy created by each facility.
Terms
 Hydropower plant- a facility designed to harness the energy of moving water to power electrical
generators for energy production.
 Hydrologic cycle- a natural water transformation cycle that occurs throughout the earth. Water is
heated by the sun and evaporates into the air and the clouds. It eventually cools and returns to the
earth as rain.
 Impoundment hydropower plant- a power generation facility that uses a dam to restrain water that
can be released as needed to power internal generators or to control water levels.
 Run-of-river facility- power generated by using the natural flow of water within a river to power
electrical generators. Dams are not required.
 Micro-hydropower facility- a small-scale power generation facility that produces 100 kilowatts or less.
A small dam may be used to control water diversion through the penstock.
 Pumped storage facility- a virtually self-contained power generation facility that uses upper and lower
reservoirs. Water is allowed to flow from the upper to the lower reservoir to power the electrical
generators. The water is pumped from the lower back to the upper reservoir to meet future needs.
Time
This lesson should take approximately 180 minutes (introduction, 45 minutes; presentation, 90 minutes; and
quiz, 45 minutes).
Preparation
TEKS Correlations
This lesson, as published, correlates to the following TEKS. Any changes/alterations to the activities may result
in the elimination of any or all of the TEKS listed.
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved.
1
Manufacturing Engineering
 130.329 (c)
o (7) The student knows mechanical, fluid, electrical, and thermal systems. The student is
expected to:
(A) use pneumatics devices;
(B) use hydraulics devices; and
(C) analyze the effects of heat energy and temperature on products.
Interdisciplinary Correlations
English Language Arts and Reading, English I
 110.31 (b)
o Reading/Vocabulary Development. Students understand new vocabulary and use it
when reading and writing.
Occupational Correlation (O*Net) – www.onetonline.org/:
Job Title: Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
O*Net Number: 51-8099.04
Reported Job: This title represents an occupation for which data collection is currently underway.
Tasks






Identify or address malfunctions of hydroelectric plant operational equipment, such as generators,
transformers, or turbines.
Monitor hydroelectric power plant equipment operation and performance, adjusting to performance
specifications, as necessary.
Start, adjust, or stop generating units, operating valves, gates, or auxiliary equipment in hydroelectric
power generating plants.
Inspect water-powered electric generators or auxiliary equipment in hydroelectric plants to verify
proper operation or to determine maintenance or repair needs.
Install or calibrate electrical or mechanical equipment, such as motors, engines, switchboards, relays,
switch gears, meters, pumps, hydraulics, or flood channels.
Maintain or repair hydroelectric plant electrical, mechanical, or electronic equipment, such as motors,
transformers, voltage regulators, generators, relays, battery systems, air compressors, sump pumps,
gates, or valves.
Soft Skills
 Active listening
 Critical thinking
 Operation monitoring
 Equipment maintenance
 Repairing
 Troubleshooting
Accommodations for Learning Differences
These lessons accommodate the needs of every learner. Modify the lessons to accommodate your students
with learning differences by referring to the files found on the Special Populations page of this website.
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved.
2
Preparation
 Review and become familiar with the terminology, website links, and the slide presentation.
 Have materials, slide presentation, and websites ready prior to the start of the lesson.
References
 Webster’s new compact office dictionary (2003). New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing
Co.
Instructional Aids
 Introduction to Hydropower Energy slide presentation and notes
 Warm-up Activity (Slide 3)
 Introduction to Hydropower Energy Terms and Definitions handout for each student
 Introduction to Hydropower Energy Terms and Definitions Answer Key
 Introduction to Hydropower Energy Quiz for each student
 Introduction to Hydropower Energy Quiz Answer Key
Introduction
The main purpose of this lesson is to give students an introduction to hydropower energy and the positive
effect this technology has on our environment as a renewable form of energy.
Ask

Have you ever seen a water wheel in a photo or movie? Can you think of how it is used?

Our planet is 70% water, and it is in great abundance in many places around our planet. Water energy
is a tremendous natural resource. We are using technology to find ways to tap into this vast renewable
energy source.

Does anyone know what hydroelectric energy is?

We will discuss the methods of production of hydroelectric energy and how it is becoming a viable
alternative as a renewable energy source.
Say
Ask
Say
Show
 Videos or photos of hydroelectric power plants currently in use today.
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved.
3
Outline
MI
OUTLINE
I.
II.
III.
Introduction of lesson
A. Bell Work Activity
B. Warm-up Activity
Hydropower energy production
A. Overview
B. Show videos or photos of
hydroelectric power plants
C. Various methods of hydropower
energy generation
Discussion
A. Industrial hydropower applications
B. Hydropower as a renewable
resource
C. Sustaining our planet’s natural
resources
IV. Research
A. Global sources and applications of
hydropower
B. How much the use of hydropower has
increased globally in the past 10 years
V. Students create a slide presentation
A. Compile a list of the 10 largest
hydroelectric dams in the world
B. Include the total amount of energy
created by each facility (applications)
C. Show examples of unique hydropower
systems (applications)
VI. Hydropower Energy Quiz
NOTES TO TEACHER
Begin the Introduction to
Hydropower Energy slide
presentation.
Have students work on the
Bell Work Activity.
(Slide 2)
Warm-up Activity
Introduction to Hydropower
Energy Terms and Definitions
handout
Students (in pairs)
will teach each other the
terms and definitions. They
may do computer-based
research to look up the
meaning.
(Slide 3)
Review, discuss, and
overview Introduction to
Hydropower Energy
(Slides 4-8)
Each slide is meant to be
discussed. Have some
background knowledge, and
challenge the students to
make some contributions to
the discussion.
Administer quiz and grade
using answer key.
VII. Students identify 10 unique jobs created
by the use of hydropower energy
technology
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved.
4
Multiple Intelligences Guide
Existentialist
Interpersonal
Intrapersonal
Kinesthetic/
Bodily
Logical/
Mathematical
Musical/Rhythmic
Naturalist
Verbal/Linguistic
Visual/Spatial
Application
Guided Practice
The teacher and students search the Internet to find different sources to gain more insight into the following
concepts:
 unique, global applications of hydroelectric power; and
 identification of a list of 10 unique jobs that have been created by the increased use of hydropower
energy technology.
Independent Practice
 Have students research how much the use of hydropower has increased globally in the past 10 years.
 Have students create a slide presentation with photos and details of the 10 largest hydroelectric dams
in the world; include the total amount of energy created by each facility.
Summary
Review
Students review the terms from the Warm-up Activity and key points from the Introduction to Hydropower
Energy slide presentation.
Evaluation
Informal Assessment
Teacher will assess students with questions and answers. Students will discuss definitions of terms and key
points from the Introduction to Hydropower Energy slide presentation.
Formal Assessment
Teacher will administer the Introduction to Hydropower Energy Quiz.
Enrichment
Extension
Have students use the Internet to research the location of schools with degree programs that focus on
preparing students for employment in hydropower technology (for the available jobs from now until 2025).
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved.
5
Name_____________________________________Date_______________________Class______________
Introduction to Hydropower Energy
Terms and Definitions
Use the Internet to research the definitions to the hydropower terms below.
1. Hydropower plant
2. Hydrologic cycle
3. Impoundment hydropower plant
4. Run-of-river facility
5. Micro-hydropower facility
6. Pumped storage facility
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved.
6
Introduction to Hydropower Energy
Terms and Definitions
Answer Key
1. Hydropower plant- a facility designed to harness the energy of moving water to power electrical
generators for energy production.
2. Hydrologic cycle- a natural water transformation cycle that occurs throughout the earth. Water is
heated by the sun and evaporates into the air and the clouds. It eventually cools and returns to the
earth as rain.
3. Impoundment hydropower plant- a power generation facility that uses a dam to restrain water that
can be released as needed to power internal generators, or to control water levels.
4. Run-of-river facility- power generated by using the natural flow of water within a river to power
electrical generators. Dams are not required.
5. Micro-hydropower facility- a small-scale power generation facility that produces 100 kilowatts or less.
A small dam may be used to control water diversion through the penstock.
6. Pumped storage facility- a virtually self-contained power generation facility that uses upper and lower
reservoirs. Water is allowed to flow from the upper to the lower reservoir to power the electrical
generators. The water is pumped from the lower back to the upper reservoir to meet future needs.
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved.
7
Name_____________________________________Date_______________________Class______________
Introduction to Hydropower Energy
Quiz
Directions
Read each statement and fill in the blanks with the correct answers.
1. Hydropower is created by using ____________, ____________________________that have been in use
for thousands of years.
2. Our planet maintains a consistent ____________________ in order to sustain life.
3. The _____________________ is a ___________________________ that occurs throughout the earth.
4. A ___________________________is an energy production facility designed to take advantage of the
_______________________in water.
5. ______________________ is a powerful force that can be used to turn ___________________________.
6. ________________________ use large upper and lower reservoirs to store water until it is needed to
________________________ on electrical generators.
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved.
8
Introduction to Hydropower Energy
Quiz Answer Key
Directions
Read each statement and fill in the blanks with the correct answers.
1. Hydropower is created by using ____________, ____________________________that have been in use
for thousands of years.
Answer
 simple
 proven mechanical principles
2. Our planet maintains a consistent ____________________ in order to sustain life.
Answer
 water level
3. The _____________________ is a ___________________________ that occurs throughout the earth.
Answer
 hydrologic cycle
 natural water transformation cycle
4. A ___________________________is an energy production facility designed to take advantage of the
_______________________in water.
Answer
 hydropower plant
 stored energy
5. ______________________ is a powerful force that can be used to turn ___________________________.
Answer
 flowing water
 electrical generators
6. ________________________ use large upper and lower reservoirs to store water until it is needed to
________________________ on electrical generators.
Answer
 pumped storage facilities
 drive the turbines
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved.
9