HydroEnergy Jan Pinon

Hydropower plants produce about 24 percent of the world's electricity and supply more than 1 billion people with power. The world's hydropower plants output a combined total of 675,000 megawatts, the energy equivalent of 3.6 billion barrels of oil. Canada is the largest producer of hydropower in the world while the United States is second.

What is hydro energy? Hydro energy is simply energy that is taken from water and converted to electricity. The most common method of using energy from water is a hydroelectric dam. It can be generated from the energy flowing water, tidal forces or wave power.

Ideas from the Past. The waterwheel is a device that uses flowing or falling water to create power with a set of paddles mounted around a wheel. The force of the water moved the paddles, and the rotation of the wheel is transmitted to machinery via the shaft of the wheel. The first reference to its use dates back to about 4000 B.C. They were used for crop irrigation, supply drinking water to villages, drive sawmills, etc.

Hydroelectric dams This is based on a simple idea- water flowing through a dam turns a turbine, which turns a generator, creating energy. Step 1: a dam is built to hold back water, creating a reservoir Step 2: gates open and water flows towards turbines Step 3: the water turns the turbines, which is attached to a generator. Step 4: a series of magnets turn inside the generator, producing alternating current Step 5: the water re-enters the river

Pumped-storage dams A different type of hydroelectric dam Instead of having water flow down through the dam then exiting, a pumped-storage dam has two reservoirs oUpper reservoir - The water in this reservoir flows through the hydropower plant to create electricity. oLower reservoir - Water from the upper reservoir is pumped back up and to generate more electricity. Basically, its recycling the water again. This is done during periods of peak consumption

Pros: Hydropower is clean. It is renewable. It doesn't produce any greenhouse gases or other air pollution. It also doesn't generate any waste products, or burn fossil fuels. It is cheaper than other methods It can be used quickly to meet demand

Cons: The dams are very expensive to build. It can sometimes change the natural flow of the water which can make it possible to harm plants and animals in the water. It can also damage areas and wildlife when areas are flooded upstream Finding a suitable site can be difficult.

Hydro Electric Plants in B.C. There are 19 hydro electric plants in BC Aberfeldie, Arrow Lakes, Akolkolex, Bonnington, Brandywine Creek, Brilliant Dam, Elko Dam, Falls River, Furry Creek, Gordon M Shrum, Mica, Peace Canyon, Pingston Creek, Revelstoke, Rutherford Creek, Seven Mile, Upper Mamquam, Waneta Dam, Woodfibre. Most are operated by B.C. Hydro.

Citations: –"Hydroelectric Plants in Canada - British Columbia." The Power Plants Around the World Platts, Web. 17 Jan –Bonsor, Kevin. "How Hydropower Plants Work." HowStuffWorks. Discovery, Web. 17 Jan –"Hydro Energy." KidzWorld. Web. 17 Jan –Bellis, Mary. "Waterwheel." About. Web. 17 Jan