By : Jaden Johnson and Kamari Jones

What is hydro-electric power?  Hydropower  The use of hydropower involves using the kinetic motion in water as it flows downstream, part of the normal Water cycle of earth, to generate other forms of energy, most notably electricity. Dams use this property as a means of generating electricity. This form of hydropower is called hydroelectricity. Water wheels were an ancient technology which also made use of this concept to generate kinetic energy to run equipment, such as the grain mill.

How is it made?  When you build a dam the water from the dam goes into the intake. Then the water flows down pipes called penstocks. The water then spins a water wheel called a turbine. The turbine spins and it creates electricity. The electricity then goes into the powerhouse (generator). Then the electricity from the generator goes into power lines. Any water that is not used in this process goes in to the outflow river. The water stays clean so it doesn’t effect the environment.

Advantages  Once a dam is built, the energy is virtually free  No waste or pollution produced  Much more reliable than wind, solar or wave power  Water can be stored above the dam ready to cope with peaks in demand  Hydro-electric power stations can increase to full power very quickly, unlike other power stations  Electricity can be generated constantly

Disadvantages  Dams are very expensive to build  Building a large dam will flood a very large area upstream, causing problems for the animals who used to live there  Finding a suitable site can be difficult- the impact on the residents and the environment may be unacceptable  Water quality and quantity downstream can be affected, which can have an impact on plant life

Is it renewable?  Hydro-electric power is renewable. The Sun provides the water by evaporation from the sea, and will keep on doing so.

Ways to save energy  Turn off light when not in the room  Turn off the T.V. when you are not watching it  Use cold water when washing laundry  Shut the fridge after you get something out because it still tries to keep the food cold so it uses more energy  Hang your clothes outside and let it dry from the sun and wind

Bibliography  x.htm x.htm   works.html works.html

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