Here’s the need-to-know stuff about the energy source, hydroelectric power!
Description
Hydroelectric power harnesses the energy in running water!
Where can you find hydroelectric power?
Hydroelectric dams can be found all over the world, where large amounts of water can be trapped behind a reservoir.
How is it made into electricity?
Most hydro schemes create a reservoir, usually by building a large dam to flood a valley. This trapped water is allowed to escape through pipes in the dam. When the water flows through the pipes, it turns a turbine that is linked to a generator that produces electricity.
‘Run of the River’ hydro systems don’t use a dam and reservoir, but harness the energy in fast-flowing rivers!
What are the advantages of using hydroelectric power?
- Water is renewable — rain keeps filling the reservoir up again.
- Hydro-electric power does not produce any carbon dioxide emissions when using water to produce electricity.
- Electricity can be generated 24 hours a day as long as there is enough water. But this can’t happen every day as the reservoir needs time to fill up again from time to time.
- The dam gates can be opened and closed to control when the electricity is made.
- The amount of electricity produced can also be controlled by changing how much water can flow.
- It is much more reliable than wind and solar power, although it does depend on enough rain, especially for ‘run of the river’ systems.
What are the disadvantages of using hydroelectric power?
- It is very expensive to build a dam, and construction can produce a lot of emissions.
- When a dam is built, a huge area is flooded to make a lake. The water displaces the people and animals living there.
- It can be difficult to find a suitable site for a reservoir or a dam. There are very few available sites for new plant in the UK.
- There can be negative environmental impacts. Water quality and quantity downstream can be affected.
📖 Words to know
- Hydro-electric
- Electricity made using moving water.
- Renewable
- An energy source that can be used again and will not run out.
- Turbine
- A device that uses moving water or air to spin a rotator and make electric power.
- Reservoir
- A big store of water, usually held back by a dam.
⚠️ Watch out!
🎧 Listen and watch
- Facts about water power! — Curious Kate on what moving water can do.
- Why Go Local? — what happens when a community makes its own electricity.
How much do you know about hydroelectric power?
What spins the turbine in a hydroelectric power station?
- Water rushing through pipes
- Hot steam from burning coal
- Wind
- Sunlight
What is a reservoir?
- A big store of water held back by a dam
- A kind of turbine
- A power line
- A type of rock
Is hydroelectric power free?
- The water is, but the dam costs a fortune
- Yes, completely free
- No, you pay for the water
- Only for the first year
We’ve got a whole series about energy, electricity, and power generation! It’s called Curious Kate, and you can listen to it below!
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