How Is Power Generated With Hydroelectricity?

How Is supply Generated With Hydro electricity?Hydroelectric advocator nil from f entirelying peeing. Hydro electric cater means getting might from flow rate piddle. This system of energy generation is viewed as actually environment each(prenominal)y amiable by many people, since no waste happens during energy generation. However, hydroelectric world power crapper wealthy person a deep impact on the surrounding environment, leading some people to question the help of hydroelectric power as a regularity of clean energy generation.Hydroelectric power is role to run peeing system as an energy source and mostly in grind corn. Hydroelectricity device enough power light for devil paper mills and a house. Nearly ally of the hydroelectric power stations, provide almost 20% of the worlds electricity. The Origin of Hydro Power was lift outing time used in Ancient Egypt. They used flowing weewee supply to make a machine work and grind their crops. The Size of the Hydro power plants to sidereal day function in size from some hundred kilowatts to several hundred megawatts. Some of the larger plants admit capacities up to 10,000 megawatts and supply electricity to cardinals of people.Over 80 percent of all electricity produced by renewable sources is produced by large hydroelectric dams. With low carbon dioxide emissions and working costs, hydropower is an important part of a climate friendly energy mix. More sustainable sources, such as wave and tidal power, could save the standing of water based energy mathematical product.Hydropower accounts for around 20% of the worlds electricity generation, and a little over 2 percent of the worlds resume energy supply. Although dams often restrain big environmental and social impacts, the World Wide bloodline for Nature estimates that another(prenominal) 370 Giga watts of large, medium, or gnomish hydroelectric capacity could be developed without unacceptable impacts by 2050.The energy outputBecause m ost dams use gravity, a hydroelectric dams energy output depends largely on the height difference between the tank water source and the outflow. water supply flow along the rivers is another important factor, as is the age and efficiency of a dam. Many of the worlds older dams exit need to be upgraded or repowered in the coming decades to improve efficiency, which allow for be expensive further could eventually add another 30 GW to the global energy mix.Environmental impactLarge hydroelectric dams fix a number of negative impacts on the local environment and human society. Dams disrupt river ecosystems and passages, killing aquatic animateness that gets caught in turbine blades. Dams also create artificial reservoirs, which floods tilth and forests, and displaces wildlife and people. Hydroelectric projects ar also susceptible to fluctuations in river flows and rainfall. Which depends on energy from the Volta River Dam, has suffered severe energy shortages in juvenile years because of lack of rainfall.The key environmental hassle with hydroelectric power is that blocking changes the natural environment. The flow of a river is basically changed when a dam is introduceed, posing puzzles for fish and aquatic plants on two sides of the dam. However, there atomic number 18 some arguments in support of hydroelectric power. Once installed, a hydroelectric power plant does not generate any emissions or waste, qualification it very much preferable to some leang same a coal fired power plant. The technology of hydroelectric power is also always beingness improved, and some quantify simple measures like fish ladders stick out moderate the impact of a dam.How it works.1. Hydroelectric power, or hydroelectricity, is generated by the magnate of falling water. Its single of the cleanest sources of energy and its also the most reliable and costs the least.2. Water is needed to run a hydroelectric power-generating unit. The water is held behind a dam, hamm ering an artificial lake. The force of the water being released from the reservoir through the dam spins the blades of a giant turbine. The turbine is connected to the generator that makes electricity as it spins. After passing through the turbine, the water flows back into the river on the other side of the dam. Basically the exciter powers the rotator.3. Electricity is produced by spinning electromagnets within a generators wire coil that creates a flow of electrons. To nurture the electromagnets spinning, hydroelectric stations use falling water. Hydroelectric power plants convert the kinetic energy contained in falling water into electricity. The energy in flowing water is ultimately derived from the sun, and is therefore constantly being renewed. As the rotator and its magnetic field turn, an electric charge is created in the stator.4. Energy contained in sunlight evaporates water from the oceans and deposits it on land in the form of rain. Differences in land elevation resul t in rainfall runoff, allowing some of the original solar energy to be captured as hydroelectric power. nearly hydroelectric stations use either the natural drop of the river or build a dam across the river to march on the water level and provide the drop needed to create a driving force. Water at the nobleer level goes through the intake into a pipe, called a penstock, which carries it down to the turbine. A transformer increases the voltage of the current coming from the starter.The turbine is a type of water wheel that converts the waters energy into mechanical power. The turbine is connected to a generator, when the turbine is set in motion it causes the generator to rotate, producing electricity. The falling water, having served its role, exits the generating station through the draft tube and the tailrace where it rejoins the river.Building a dam means inundate a lot of land. The sun evaporates water from the sea to the lakes. This forms clouds and falls as rain in the mo untains which consequently keeps the dam supplied with water. For throw in the towel. Gravitational potential energy is stored in the water above the dam. Because the height of the water it volition get to the turbines at a higher pressure. This means that people buttocks extract a great dish out of energy from it. The water then flows down to the river as normal.There is another way of using the hydroelectric power is to build the station next to a fast flowing river. However using this way may cause a problem which when you do the arrangement the flow of the water cannot be coverled and water cannot be stored.AdvantagesOnce the dam is built, energy is almost free.No waste or pollution producedIt is to a greater extent reliable than wind, solar and wave powerWater can be stored above the damHydroelectric power stations can increase to full power quickly.Electricity can be generated all the time.DisadvantagesIt is very expensive to buildBuilding a large dam will flood a very l arge argona upstream which can cause problems for animalsHard to play a suitable direct.Water quality can be effected which have an impact on plants.Hydroelectric power is renewable. It is renewable in the sense that people cannot take away the source of the energy by using them. The sun provides water by evaporation from the sea. No fuel is needed in this generation. Also energy of the billows will not go away if the power is used.EfficiencyThe equation for hydro electric power is P = Q X H X 0.18 X EThe p is for power in watts.The Q is the flow rate in gallons per minuteThe H is vertical embossment measured in feet0.18 is a unit conversion constantThe E is the efficiency of the turbineThe micro hydroelectric turbines be an efficiency of 50%. However for the mini hydroelectric applications the efficiency is a bit higher usually around 65%.The CostThe costs of the hydro electric power is eachthing c at a timerning hydro, the costs ar site specific, they will depend on the hea d available such as the higher the head the smaller the turbine needed to generate the same level of power. The high head machines can be also be connected at one time to the generator without the need for the belts. Hydroelectric power is attractive because its cheap for the consumer average scathe in the PNW is around 4 cents per KWH this is 3 times less than the national average.Low costs to the consumer reflect relatively low operating costs of the Hydro Facility. Most of the cost is in building the damOperating costs about 0.6 cents per KWHCoal Plant averages around 2.2 cents per KWH which reflects costs of mining, transport and distri simplyion.Energy density in stored important water is high, so one liter of water per second on a turbine generates 720 watts of power. If this power can be continuously generated for 24 hours per day for one month then the total number of KWH per month is then720 watts x 24 hours/day x 30 days/month = 518 Kwh/month.Power generating capacity is directly relative to the height the water falls. For a fall of say only 3m, 30 times less electricity would be generated but this is just for a miniscule flow rate of 1 kg/sec.solar Power- Energy from the SunSolar power is energy which comes from the sun. People have used sun for drying clothes and foods for thousands of years but only now people have been able to use it for generating power. The sun is about 150 million kilometres away and very powerful.Just a tiny fraction of the suns energy that hits the globe is enough to meet all the power need many times over. Every minute enough energy gets to the earth to meet the haves for a whole year.Solar power is energy which comes from the sun. This energy is very powerful and hits the earth regardless of whether or not we take advantage of it. Even the tiny percentage of sunlight that touches the earth is plenty to meet the energy and power needs of the entire human population more than 8,500 times over.Energy from the sun is conv erted into solar power using solar collectors. Solar panels consist of solar cells intentional to capture energy from the sun. The solar panels used in heating air and liquid ar unlike from those used to provide electricity. To absorb the highest achievable amount of solar energy, solar panels must be pointed at the sun.Energy from the sun can be converted into solar power in two ways. The first way involves the use of solar thermal applications. Solar thermal applications use the suns energy to provide direct heat to air or liquid. Solar thermal panels can be used for both housing and larger scale applications.The second way of obtaining solar power involves the use of photoelectric applications. photoelectric applications use photovoltaic cells in converting energy from the sun into electricity. Photovoltaic cells are considered low maintenance and well suited to remote applications. They use semiconductors like ti to convert energy from the sun into electricity.How solar po wer worksSolar cells- the Photovoltaic (Photo means light and voltaic means electricity) which convert light directly into electricity, for example in sunny weather you can get enough power to run a 100w light bulb from just one uncoiled metre of solar panel. Solar cells provide the energy to run satellites that orbit the earth.Solar water heating- this is where heat from the sun is used to heat water in glass panels. This means people do not use so much gas and electricity to heat water at home. Water is wield through pipes in the panel, the pipes are painted black, and so they get hotter when the sun shines on them.Solar furnaces- it uses a huge collection of mirrors to c erstntrate the suns energy into a small space and produce very high temperatures. Solar furnaces are very huge solar cookers. A solar cooker can be used in hot countries to cook food.Solar energy isnt all about generating electricityFor example, photo luminescent products store light energy. Theyre also called self-luminous and are a useful source of emergency lighting in the event of a sudden power outage.The advantages of solar power areSolar energy is free it needs no fuel and produces no waste or pollution.In sunny countries, solar power can be used where there is no easy way to get electricity.Handy for low-power uses such as solar powered garden lights and battery chargers, or for helping your home energy bills.The disadvantages of solar power areDoesnt work at night.Very expensive to build solar power stations, although the cost is coming down as technology improves. bum be unreliable unless youre in a very sunny climate.Solar cells are expensiveSolar power is renewable. The Sun will keep on shining anyway, so it makes sense to use it.3 main ways to use it-Sun heats water in panels on your roofSolar cells photovoltaic cells make electricity from sunlightSolar furnaceSolar power isnt much use unless you live somewhere sunnyDoesnt cause pollution, doesnt need fuel.Basics of solar po werThe amount of power generated by solar cells is determined by the amount of light falling on them, which is depending on the weather and time of day. sometimes there will be too much power, other times these wont be enough. In this case the system battery can be damaged if it was overcharged or over discharged. The smallest system may have only 12 volts of light, but in bigger systems 23o or 110 volts will in all probability be needed. An invert is used to transform the low voltage Direct Current generated by the solar panel into mains voltage Alternate current.The costs of solar powerSolar power is currently selling for between 3 and 35 per watt of rated power output. A typical panel that you might install on your roof would be rated for between 100 and 300 watts and therefore will cost between about 400 and around 1500 or so.A complete solar power system also needs some other components and will have some installation costs and so the total installed cost of a solar system is usually in the range of 8 10 per watt of rated power. Most home sized systems are rated in the 1000 to 10,000 watt range and therefore cost between about 8000 and 100,000 to install. Many states offer refunds and tax savings that can reduce this cost by as much as 50%.These systems will unremarkably generate between about 300 and 2500 worth or electricity per year.Solar panels are expected to last between 30 and 50 years and so these systems will likely generate between 9000 and 120,000 worth of electricity over their life time. This will be different widely though based on local electricity costs and may well increase greatly in the future if electricity rates rise.Energy efficiencyEnergy efficiency saves money, where solar energy saves even more money. The efficiency rating of solar panels is jolly low for instance the amount of the suns energy converted into electricity. Depending on the situation it can range from 5% to 15%, although there have been some recent breakthroughs i n technology which has increased this to 40%. However it will be some years before this technology becomes money making available in the solar panels we fit to our homes.When calculating how many solar panels you need for your home, you dont need to be too concerned about the efficiency rating of your panel because photovoltaic solar panels are specified by their energy generating capacity. For example, 100 watt panels will output 100 watts of energy under ideal positions. So if you are looking to produce 1kw per hr of energy you will need 10 x 100 watt panels.Solar panels range in their energy output. normally they range from 30 to 205 watts. If you are DIY then pay special interest in calculating your energy requirements. If you are getting a company to embroil up plans for you then they will take care of this calculation.There are three main types of solar photovoltaic cells and these are polycrystalline, glandular fever crystalline and thin film. Each has different efficiency ratings when converting the suns energy into electricity and they all have their advantages and disadvantages.The main difference between them is size and price. The more efficient technologies like mono crystalline panels are more efficient than the other two and so the panels are smaller and take up less space when comparing like for like in energy output but they are more expensive.So before you decide which panels to go for, you need to calculate your energy requirements, embed how much you want to invest and then go and compare the different panels.There are many other aspects that can tinge the efficiency of your panels. We find the following to be the most common how often you clean them, are they infrared, how much sun do they get and how hot do they get. It is a strike to many people that for most panels their efficiency drops when the temperature starts to go above 25 Deg Celsius. If you want a hot water heater conversion then solar thermal panels are a lot more effici ent.In summary, on face value solar energy does not seem very efficient, although it is astir(p) year on year. However, dont get too tied up about the efficiency of the panels, focus more on the output, size and level of investment.SustainabilitySolar energy will burn for billions of years it wont run out any time soon. This is sustainable because it will not reduce in the near future. They use primarily silicon, which is one of the richest materials on earth. But they can also use other things, like metals (copper, silver, gold), and some toxic chemicals (arsenic, cadmium) etc. The sustainability of these materials are recyclable, and it is thought 99% of a solar cell can be recycled. But the production of them does has some toxic site affects, which means we have to balance the clean energy production of the cells with the bad by products of their manufacturing process.Appropriate energyThe biggest gains are usually found in lighting. Solar power doesnt have to be used for heatin g, but it would help. However, electricity is a bad way of heating things, but you can use solar power to heat water. Most houses are not designed for energy efficiency especially old houses. Normally light bulbs waste a lot of energy, thats because they work by getting hot. Its like getting a little light and a lot of heat. Always use low energy lamps. However in low voltage lamps if your solar power is small and you dont have a big inverter, then you will be better off with low voltage lamps.tidal powerComing and going of the flows gives this form of renewable energy a different advantage over other sources that are not as inevitable and reliable, such as wind or solar. The Department of Trade and Industry has stated that almost 10% of the United Kingdoms electricity needs could be met by tidal power.Tides come and go is because it is all to do with the gravitational force of the Moon and Sun, and also the rotation of the Earth.This plat shows how the gravitational attachment o f the moon and sun affect the tides on Earth. The size of this attraction depends on the mass of the object and its distance away. The moon has the greater effect on earth even with having less mass than the sun because it is so much closer. The gravitational force of the moon causes the oceans to swell along an axis pointing directly at the moon. The rotation of the earth causes the rise and fall of the tides. When the sun and moon are in line their gravitational attraction on the earth combine and cause a spring tide. When they are as positioned in the first diagram above, 90 from each other, their gravitational attraction each pulls water in different directions, causing a neap tide.The rotational period of the moon is around 4 weeks, while one rotation of the earth takes 24 hours this results in a tidal cycle of around 12.5 hours. This tidal behaviour is easily predictable and this means that if harnessed, tidal energy could generate power for defined periods of time. These peri ods of generation could be used to offset generation from other forms such as fossil or nuclear which have environmental consequences. Although this means that supply will never match demand, offsetting harmful forms of generation is an important starting point for renewable energy.tidal energy is a type of energy that produces electricity and other form of power through the use of water. Tidal energy is the energy that could be obtained from changing sea levels. It is a direct result of tide changing from low to high. The two basic theories on how to convert tides into power areIs involves in converting the power of the horizontal movement of the water into electricity.Involves producing energy from the rise and drop of water levels.LIKE THISMost are at the concept proving stage and have links to universities such as Plymouth, Manchester and Imperial College. Technologies in development includeUse of a shore based oscillating water column,Trapping and compression air in successiv e waves to build enough compression to set out a turbineUsing pressure differences under wave crests to drive water flows through turbine chambersFloating buoys that use the kinetic energy of the buoys rise and fall to drive a turbineUsing the motion of joints in an articulated structure to drive hydraulic rams that power motors.There are different types of turbines that are available for use in a tidal round. A bulb turbine is one in which water flows around the turbine. If a repair is required then the water must be stopped which causes a problem and is time consuming with workable loss of generation. When rim turbines are used, the generator is mounted at right angles to the to the turbine blades, making access easier. But this type of turbine is not suitable for pumping and it is troublesome to control its performance. The blades of this turbine are connected to a long tube and are leaning at an angle so that the generator is sitting on top of the natural spring.The turbine s in the barrage can be used to pump extra water into the basin at periods of low demand. This usually works with cheap electricity prices, mainly at night when demand is low. The company therefore buys the electricity to pump the extra water in, and then generates power at times of high demand when prices are high so as to make a profit.HOW IT WORKSStep 1 First a place must be chosen for the plant to be builtStep 2 Then it must be tested to make sure the waves are big enough to produce enough electricity to make up for the price.Step 3 After this they must build the power plantStep 4 Then they have to test it to make sure it worksStep 5 The tidal power plant should do the following The waves should go into the plant. The pressure of the waves should turn the turbines making electricity.It would cost at least 15 billion to build a tidal power. However there would be a number of benefits, including protecting a large stretch of coastline against damage from high storm tides and pro viding an already made road bridge. Although the drastic changes to the currents in the estuary could have a huge affects on the stinting and huge number of birds that feed on the mud, so when the tides goes out the birds would have no where to feed.Efficiency of tidal powerThe benefit of tidal range power is its remarkable efficiency once constructed, up to 80% of the potential energy of the water captured which can be converted to electricity with no greenhouse emissions. Tidal energy is also attractive from the point of view of energy security which makes uses of resources naturally available on and around the stores.EconomicsThe capital required to start construction of a barrage has been the main awkward block to its deployment. It is not an attractive plan to a saver due to long payback periods. This problem could be solved by government funding or large organisations getting involved with tidal power. In terms of long term costs, once the construction of the barrage is compl ete, there are very small maintenance and running costs and the turbines only need replacing once around all(prenominal) 30 years. The life of the plant is unclear and for its entire life it will receive free fuel from the tide. The economics of a tidal barrage are very complicated. The optimum design would be the one that produced the most power but also had the smallest barrage possible.Social ImpactThe building of a tidal barrage can have much social cost on the surrounding field of view. During the building of the barrage, the amount of traffic and people in the area will increase and will last for a some years. The barrage can be used as a road or rail link, providing a time saving method of crossing the bay or estuary. There is also the possibility of include wind turbines into the barrage to generate extra power. The barrage would affect shipping would have to be made to allow ships to pass through.The biggest disadvantages of tidal barrages are the environmental and ecolo gical affects on the local area. This is very difficult to expect, each site is different and there are not many projects that are available for comparison. The change in water level and possible flooding would affect the plants around the coast, having an impact on the aquatic and shore ecosystems. The quality of the water in the basin or estuary would also be affected, the remains levels would change, modify the turbidity of the water and therefore affecting the animals that live in it and depend upon it such as fish and birds. look for would certainly be affected unless condition was made for them to pass through the barrage without being killed by turbines. All these changes would affect the types of birds that are in the area, as they will travel to other areas with more favourable conditions for them.These effects are not all bad, and may allow different species of plant and creature to grow in an area where they are not normally found. But these issues are very fine and nee d to be independently assessed for the area.AdvantageOnce tidal power is built it is free.It doesnt produced no green house gases or other wasteIt needs no fuelIt produces electricityIts not expensive to maintainTides are totally predictable offshore turbines are not ruinously expensive to build and do not have large environmental impact.Unlike wind and solar power production using the tidal forces is constant and predictable.No Waste producedSustainability of energy production.Easy and not expensive to maintenance.Has little impact on the environment.Tidal energy turbines are dropped into deep water, so they are not a danger to ships.Tidal power cannot be used upDisadvantagesA barrage across an estuary is very expensive to build and effects wide areasMany birds rely on the tide uncovering the mud flat so that they can feed and Fish cant travelOnly provides power for around 10 hours a day- when the tide is actually moving in and outThere are few suitable sites for tidal barrage.Heav ier that wind turbinesMore expensive than wind turbines.Usually producing power for around 10 hours each day. This is the time frame in which the tide is actually moving in or out.Tidal energy has potential to become a possible option for large scale, base load generation. Tidal Streams are the most attractive method, having reduced environmental and ecological impacts and being cheaper and quicker to be installed.Tidal barrage is where a dam or barrage is built across an estuary or bay that experiences an enough tidal range. This tidal range has to be in overload of 5 metres for the barrage to be possible. The purpose of this dam or barrage is to let water flow through it into the basin as the tide comes in. The barrage has gates in it that allow the water to pass through. The gates are closed when the tide has stopped coming in, trapping the water within the basin creating a hydrostatic head. As the tide moves away out with the barrage, gates in the barrage that contain turbines a re opened, the hydrostatic head causes the water to come through these gates, driving the turbines and generating power. Power can be generated in both directions through the barrage but this can affect efficiency and the economics of the project.The structure of a barrage requires a very long national engineering project. The barrage will have environmental and ecological impacts not only during building but will change the area affected forever. Just what these impacts will be is very hard to measure as they are site specific, and each barrage is different. There are different types of turbines that are available for use in a tidal barrage. A bulb turbine is one in which water flows around the turbine. If protection is required then the water must be stopped which causes a problem and is time consuming with possible loss of generation. When rim turbines are used, the generator is mounted at right angles to the to the turbine blades, making access easier. But this type of turbine i s not suitable for pumping and it is difficult to control its performance.Bulb TurbineRim TurbineTubular TurbineThe turbines in the barrage can be used to pump extra water into the basin at stages of low holy order. This usually matches with cheap electricity prices, generally at night when the order is low. The company therefore buys the electricity to pump the extra water in, and then generates power at times of high claim when prices are high so as to make a profit. This has been used in Hydro Power, and in that context is known as pumped storage.The economical effects of tidal power are when they start building of a barrage has been the main uncertain block to its use. It is not an attractive to a saver due to long payback periods. This problem could be solved by government funding or large organisations getting involved with tidal power. In terms of long term costs, once the building of the barrage is complete, there are very small maintenance and running costs and the turbine s only need replacing once around every 30 years. The life of the plant is unclear and for its entire life it will receive free fuel from the tide. The economics of a tidal barrage are very complicated. The best design would be the one that produced the most power but also had the smallest barrage possible.Social impactThe building of a tidal barrage can have many social costs on the surrounding area. During building of the barrage, the amount of traffic and people in the area will increase a lot and will last for a number of years. The barrage can be used as a road or rail link, providing a time saving method of crossing the area. There is also the possibility of including wind turbines into the barrage to generate extra power. The barrage would affect shipping and navigation and but would have to be made to allow ships to pass through.Wind powerA wind power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form of energy. Such as people use wind turbine to make electricity, wind mill s for mechanical power, wind pumps for pumping water or dra