How exactly does Hydro Powered energy work?
Hydro power is a very good way to get energy. This is how hydro plants turn falling water into energy. A turbine converts the kinetic energy of falling water into mechanical energy. Then a generator turns the energy that the turbine made into electrical energy. Hydro plants range in size from little plants that produce a little electricity, to a big one like the Hoover Dam that can produce enrgy for millions of people. Here are the main parts of the hydro plant:
Dam - Raises the water level of the river to create falling water. Also controls the flow of water. The reservoir that is formed is, in effect, stored energy.
Turbine - The force of falling water pushing against the turbine's blades causes the turbine to spin. A water turbine is much like a windmill, except the energy is provided by falling water instead of wind. The turbine converts the kinetic energy of falling water into mechanical energy.
Generator - Connected to the turbine by shafts and possibly gears so when the turbine spins it causes the generator to spin also. Converts the mechanical energy from the turbine into electric energy. Generators in hydropower plants work just like the generators in other types of power plants.
Transmission lines - Conduct electricity from the hydropower plant to homes and business.
A resevoir holding the water lets the water go and it falls down the penstock.. The water has to be moving fast enough to turn a generator. To increase the force of the moving water, the dam raises the water level. When the water behind the dam is released., it is delivered to the turbine through a pipe called the penstock. There are many different types of turbines and which one you use dependson the height differential of the water to the turbine, this differential is called a hydraulic head. The water then turns the turbine which is attached to the generator. The turbine is connected to the genertator with gears so it turns the generator aswell. When the generator spins it converts the spinning mechanical energy into electrical energy. In the generator, there is basically a big magnet attached to the spinning part of the generator. This magnet when it spins, rubs against a piece of metal near the magnet which produces an electrical current. Then the energy goes to the transmission lines and is sent to houses. The water that has gone through the turbine then goes out through the tailrace. There are other ways to produce hydro energy. Fast flowing rivers can be diverted into a turbine which then goes to a generator. A more traditional way is to put a water wheel on a floating platform.
