HydroelectricityHydroelectricity

Joseph Franco and Chris Joseph Franco and Chris BarretoBarreto

Yeah, Boy!!!

…Yea.. I’m not going to say anything during this slideshow.

What is this you speak What is this you speak of…of…

• Hydroelectricity is a renewable Hydroelectricity is a renewable energy source involving energy source involving hydropower, or the product of hydropower, or the product of the power of flowing water the power of flowing water caused by gravity.caused by gravity.

• Ex. DamsEx. Dams

WOOOAH! That’s A LOT of water!!!!

A more primitive A more primitive example is…example is…

• The Water MillThe Water Mill• Ancient Ancient

Mesopotamians used Mesopotamians used this as a tool for this as a tool for irrigation. irrigation.

• In Greco-Roman In Greco-Roman culture, this was used culture, this was used to process certain to process certain ingredients such as ingredients such as flour, as well as a tool flour, as well as a tool in textiles. in textiles.

More in depth… More in depth…

• Energy is gathered by fast moving Energy is gathered by fast moving water. This can be done if a river moves water. This can be done if a river moves quickly, like the Columbian River, or at quickly, like the Columbian River, or at the edge of Niagra Falls. But if the river the edge of Niagra Falls. But if the river currents aren’t fast enough to push the currents aren’t fast enough to push the turbines, dams are created. Dams turbines, dams are created. Dams gather water until the demand for water gather water until the demand for water grows. In the meantime, these dams are grows. In the meantime, these dams are used in other ways, like for boating and used in other ways, like for boating and fishing. Hydroelectric energy and coal fishing. Hydroelectric energy and coal fueled energy work in a similar fashion…fueled energy work in a similar fashion…

AdvantagesAdvantages

• The process of fueling The process of fueling hydroelectric plants is hydroelectric plants is cheaper than the cheaper than the average plant. The average plant. The operators do not have operators do not have to concern themselves to concern themselves to fuels such as oil, to fuels such as oil, natural gas, or coal. natural gas, or coal. These types of plants These types of plants last for a long time due last for a long time due to their lack of gases to their lack of gases and other harmful and other harmful material which, in time, material which, in time, could damage the could damage the turbine or engine. turbine or engine.

Advantages 2Advantages 2

• This type of This type of energy source energy source leaves little to leaves little to no emissions no emissions to the to the environment, environment, so it’s clean!so it’s clean!

DisadvantagesDisadvantages

• Dam failures- if a dam fails, Dam failures- if a dam fails, it could be potentially it could be potentially dangerous. The resulting dangerous. The resulting flood would leave flood would leave thousands, if not millions, thousands, if not millions, homeless. Large dams are homeless. Large dams are often targets of often targets of terrorismterrorism, , sabotage and are often sabotage and are often exploited during wartime.exploited during wartime.

• Flow shortages- If a river of Flow shortages- If a river of stream holds less water, or stream holds less water, or if a river dries up, the area if a river dries up, the area relying on that power may relying on that power may suffer shortages.suffer shortages.

Disadvantages 2Disadvantages 2

• Relocation- Relocation- Sometimes, Sometimes, populations must populations must be relocated to be relocated to make room for a make room for a hydroelectric hydroelectric plant. Owners are plant. Owners are often given little or often given little or no compensation no compensation for the cultural or for the cultural or ancestral value.ancestral value.

How does it work?How does it work?

• The reservoir water The reservoir water body goes into a body goes into a stream. The running stream. The running water activates the water activates the turbine and turns on turbine and turns on the generator. The the generator. The generator is hooked generator is hooked up to the transmission up to the transmission lines, where electric lines, where electric currents distribute currents distribute and go to society.and go to society.

Extra InfoExtra Info

• -Some countries, like Canada, China -Some countries, like Canada, China and Brazil, produce a large amount and Brazil, produce a large amount of energy from Hydroelectric plants.of energy from Hydroelectric plants.

• -Places in Africa and South East Asia -Places in Africa and South East Asia produce less energy because of their produce less energy because of their low funds.low funds.

Remember, kids…

Promote hydroelectrici

ty in your

county today!

SourcesSources

• WikipediaWikipedia• Eia.doe.govEia.doe.gov• Ga.water.usgs.govGa.water.usgs.gov