Ram

​ HYDROELECTRICITY ** BY RAM RASALINGAM **



**Hydroelectricity** **and how it works.....** The use of water that is in a current to create electricity, is called hydroelectric energy. A common method of a hydroelectric plant is to create a dam on a river to store water in a reservoir. Water is then released from the reservoir, and flows through a pipe and into a turbine, which spins to power a generator, creating electricity.The two-reservoir system is used by most Hydroelectricity plants. Their method is pumping water from a river or a reservoir to a higher reservoir seeing as electricity prices are low during the night. seeing as the price of electricity is higher during the day, water is released from the upper reservoir, powering the turbines to produce electricity.

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**//__ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES__//**


 * Advantages**
 * There is a infinite amount of fuel source
 * The environment isn't impacted negatively
 * No pollution is caused by using this source of power
 * a very convenient source of energy, seeing as the island is surrounded by water
 * Once a dam is constructed, electricity can be produced at a constant rate.
 * They are designed to last a long times.
 * The lake's water can be used for irrigation purposes.
 * This form of energy can be stored until needed.
 * The dam systems do not produce green house gases.


 * Disadvantages**
 * The fish population might be negatively impacted, if the hydro-plant isnt set up properly
 * It floods a large amount of land in the process

**// THE POSITIVE SIDE OF HYDRO-POWER //**

Hydroelectricity is one of the few types of energies that we have, that do not harm the environment. Hydroelectric energy is an efficient type of power: it can run for a long period of time, without requiring constant maintenance. It is also said to have produce more electricity than other types of renewable energy. 20% of the world's energy is created by hydroelectricity, some of the countries that Hydroelectric energy is used are Brazil, Canada, Russia, Tanzania, Iceland, North Korea, and New Zealand.

//**THE NEGATIVE SIDE OF HYDROELECTRICITY**//

Hydroelectricity dams disrrupt the natural current of the rivers. This changes the river and habitat beside the river. Hydroelectricity also impacts the natural flow of sediments. Rivers are constantly in teh process of eroding or, carrying or, depositing sediments. These processes are what shape the river, and form Small Bodies of water. Another Reason why Hydroelectricity has a negative impact is because from building a dam/reservoir on a river can cause major implications for the animals that are found in the river system. Seeing as fish and other animals cannot move past a dam, the dam actually, splits the river into separate zones: the river above the dam and the river below the dam. A Dam that is the reservoir for a hydro plant can be deadly if there is a catastrophic failure because if dam breaks, it would lead to a disaster and would kill many people in the process too.

DIAGRAMS AND ILLUSTRATIONS:


 * //An Example Of a Hydro Generator// : **







**Comparison To Other Energy Forms **

The Efficiency level between this type pf power, compared to other forms of power, though out the ages: //**(Facts and Figures**// //**Are Included too)**//
 * In 2004, renewable energy supplied around 7% of the world's energy consumption
 * n 2005, hydroelectric power supplied 16.4% of world electricity
 * Canada is the largest producer of hydroelectricity in the world
 * Hydroelectricity accounted for 6% of total U.S. electricity generation and 67% of generation from renewable energy in 2008.
 * An average cost of building a small-scale hydro-power system can range in cost from $1,000 – $20,000, depending on the site electricity requirements and location.

**Definations And Terms** ( //sited from// //http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861676675/hydropower.html)//


 * //Hydropower//** - " Electric power generated using water power"


 * //Turbines//** - " A machine in which a moving fluid such as steam acts on the blades of a rotor to produce rotational motion that can be transformed to electrical or mechanical power"


 * //Dam//** - "A barrier of concrete or earth that is built across a river or stream to obstruct or control the flow of water, especially in order to create a reservoir"


 * //Renewable Energy//** - " Any form of energy obtained from the Sun, wind, waves, or another natural renewable source, in contrast to energy generated from fossil fuels

//**Note: The Author of this web page gives full credit, and borrows the definitions from the following sitehttp:**//**encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861676675/hydropower.html**

//BIBLIOGRAPHY //


 * //"Energy Resources: Hydroelectric Power."// C L a R a . N E T - Customer Index//. Web. 29 April 2010. . //


 * //"Hydroelectricity."// The Canadian Encyclopedia//. Web. 29 April 2010.  //


 * //"Hydroelectricity | Clean Energy | US EPA."// US Environmental Protection Agency//. Web. 30 April 2010.  //


 * //"Hydro-electricity."// KIDCYBER//. Web. 31 Apr. 2010. [].