Introduction to Hydro Electric Power
Introduction To Hydro Electric Power
A brief introduction to Hydroelectic power generation
hydroHydro-electric power is electricity produced by the flow of fresh water from lakes, rivers, and streams. As water flows downwards thanks to gravity the
kinetic energy it carries increases. This kinetic energy can be converted into mechanical energy - e.g. by turning a turbine - and from there into electrical energy. In the right location hydro-electric generation is far more cost effective than
PV solar cells or
wind turbines in terms of Watts generated per £ spent.
How much electrical energy can be generated by a hydroelectric turbine depends on the flow/quantity of water, and the height from which it has fallen (the head). The higher the head, and the larger the flow, the more electricity can be generated.
Click here to view our article
Calculation of Hydro Power to find out more.
The image above shows the Rainbow Power 300 Watt Hydro Generator which costs around £1,300.
Hydropower Around the World
By 2004, 6% of the world's
electricity was hydro, some of that generated in enormous GigaWatt rated hydro power stations in Asia and Australia amongst other places including the World's largest hydropower plant at the
Three Gorges Dam in China.
However
micro-hydro (a small localised hydro electic turbine) is also very useful for farmers and other people in remote locations. A part of a nearby river is diverted through a turbine to generate electricity and then the water is returned to the river at a lower point reducing the environmental impact. This is known as a
run of river hydro power system.
Where the flow of water is regular it is possible to set up a 240 AC hydro system which can be turned on whenever power is needed. Alternatively lower voltage
DC electricity can be generated and stored in batteries for later use (via a
240V power inverter).
Waterwheels
Waterwheels are another form of hydropower which has been uses for 1000's of years - click here to read our
introduction to waterwheels, and here to read more about
generating electricity with waterwheels.
Hydropower in the UK
For details on the largest
hydro power stations in the UK click here. If you are interested in building your own micro-hydro power system (for example, on a water course which runs through your property) click here to find out more about the legal requirements of
hydropower abstraction licensing.
More information about the
British Hydro Association is available here. The BHA are the trade association which represent those in the hydropower industry in the UK.
Article Last Modified: 16:37, 18th Jul 2007
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