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Hydro-electric Power Plant (Hydro-electric Energy)
The energy of flowing water is utilised to produce electricity on a large scale at hydroelectric power plants. This is another conventional source of energy derived from flowing water. Dams are constructed across the waterfalls to derive electrical energy from it.
The water flowing in a river is collected by constructing a high rise dam. This stored water is then allowed to fall from the top of the reservoir on to a water turbine located at the bottom of the dam. The fast moving water rotates the blades of the water turbine, which in turn rotates the armature of the generator and produces electricity.
Water flowing in high altitude rivers is stored in a man-made reservoir as shown in the figure. The kinetic energy of the flowing water is transformed into potential energy as the water level rises. This water is carried through pipes to the turbine situated at the bottom of the dam. The water turbine has cup-shaped discs around its circumference. A jet of moving water rotates the water turbine rapidly which in turn rotates the shaft which is attached to its centre. The other end of the shaft is connected to the coil of an electric generator. The generator coil rotates and produces electricity.
It has been estimated that the total hydroelectric power potential in India is about 4 x 1011 kilowatt-hours but only 11% of this total potential has been utilized so far.
The generation of electricity from water does not produce any environmental pollution
Principle
Back to TopThe water flowing in a river is collected by constructing a high rise dam. This stored water is then allowed to fall from the top of the reservoir on to a water turbine located at the bottom of the dam. The fast moving water rotates the blades of the water turbine, which in turn rotates the armature of the generator and produces electricity.
Construction and Working
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It has been estimated that the total hydroelectric power potential in India is about 4 x 1011 kilowatt-hours but only 11% of this total potential has been utilized so far.
Advantages of Hydroelectricity
Back to Top- Water is a renewable source of energy
- The construction of dams on rivers helps in controlling floods and also helps in irrigation
Disadvantages of Hydroelectricity
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