What is Hydropower Academic Computer Center什么是水电学术计算机中心.pptVIP

What is Hydropower? Hydropower ( from hydro meaning water) is energy that comes from the force moving water. The fall and movement of water is part of a continuous natural cycle called the water cycle. Energy from the sun evaporates water in the earth’s oceans and rivers and draws it upward as water vapor. When the water vapor reaches the cooler air in the atmosphere, it condenses and forms clouds. The moisture eventually falls to the earth as rain or snow, replenishing the water in the oceans and rivers. Hydropower is called a renewable energy source because the water on the earth is continuously replenished by precipitation. As long as the water cycle continues, we won’t run out of this energy source.  Hydro Dams It’s easier to build a hydro plant where there is a natural waterfall. That’s why the first hydro plant was built at Niagara Falls. Dams which are artificial waterfalls, are the next best way. Dams are built on rivers where the terrain will produce an artificial lake or reservoir above the dam. Today there are about 80,000 dams in the United States, but only three percent (2,000) have power generating hydro plants. Hydropower Plants As people discovered centuries ago, the flow of water represents a huge supply of kinetic energy that can be put to work. Water wheels are useful for generating mechanical energy to grind grains or saw wood, but they are not practical for generating electricity. Water wheels are too bulky and slow. Hydroelectric plants are different. They use modern turbine generators to produce electricity, just as thermal (coal, oil, nuclear power plants do, except that they do not produce heat to spin the turbines. ? How Hydro Plant Works? A typical hydro plant is a system with three parts: - is power plant where the electricity is produced. - a dam that can be opened or closed to control water flow. - a reservoir (artificial lake) where water can be stored.  Head and Flow EGP