Hydroelectricity Hydroelectricity

A learning experience by B-P A learning experience by B-P Frank Bilotto and Damon LeeFrank Bilotto and Damon Lee

How does it work?How does it work?

How does it work? How does it work? Cont…Cont…

• Water is stored in the reservoir on Water is stored in the reservoir on the other side of the dam.the other side of the dam.

• Water comes through a penstock and Water comes through a penstock and spins a turbinespins a turbine

• The turbine turns the generator The turbine turns the generator rotor, which creates energy in the rotor, which creates energy in the same matter of other electrical same matter of other electrical generators. generators.

Where are these plants Where are these plants found?found?

• Hydroelectric dams are primarily Hydroelectric dams are primarily found in areas with significant found in areas with significant elevation difference and good water elevation difference and good water flow. flow.

ProsPros Cons Cons

Produce inexpensive and clean energy

Dam stores water in case of drought

Plants can shut down instantly

Dams are a simple design (inexpensive repairs and maintenance)

Dams can break down in flash flood

Requires the flooding of entire area

Dams and flooding disrupts seasonal changes

Dams effect on environmentDams effect on environment

• Decaying of the surrounding areas Decaying of the surrounding areas vegetationvegetation

• Disrupts the rivers natural flowDisrupts the rivers natural flow

How much of this energy do we How much of this energy do we have?have?

• Since the dams only require flowing Since the dams only require flowing water currents the abundance of water currents the abundance of materials for this energy is unlimited.materials for this energy is unlimited.

What pollutants are What pollutants are created?created?

• In construction of the dam, only In construction of the dam, only some minor pollution is cause by some minor pollution is cause by machinery and disposal of materials. machinery and disposal of materials.

• Other than that the pollution of Other than that the pollution of hydroelectricity dams are slim to hydroelectricity dams are slim to none. none.

What is the cost to maintain What is the cost to maintain these dams?these dams?

• The cost of constructing one of these The cost of constructing one of these dams is anywhere from $850,000 to dams is anywhere from $850,000 to $1,200,000$1,200,000

• The cost to maintain one of these The cost to maintain one of these dams is only about 3 to 5 cents an dams is only about 3 to 5 cents an hour. Depending on how much hour. Depending on how much energy it creates.energy it creates.

Research Point: 1Research Point: 1

• The effects of near by towns by tax The effects of near by towns by tax money that help schools and the money that help schools and the overall communties.overall communties.

Research Point: 2Research Point: 2

• These dams supply 9% of the U.S These dams supply 9% of the U.S electricity source. electricity source.

• It accounts for 49% of renewable It accounts for 49% of renewable energy in the U.S energy in the U.S

Work CitedWork Cited

• http://zperry.hbupages.com/hbu/http://zperry.hbupages.com/hbu/advantages-hydroelectric-power advantages-hydroelectric-power

• http://www.visitingdc.com/las-vegas/http://www.visitingdc.com/las-vegas/hoover-dam-directions.asphoover-dam-directions.asp

• http://www.visitingdc.com/las-vegas/http://www.visitingdc.com/las-vegas/hoover-dam-directions.asphoover-dam-directions.asp

The EndThe End