{"id":9851,"date":"2014-02-13T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2014-02-13T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.processindustryforum.com\/2014\/02\/13\/hydroelectric-power-all-there-is-to-know-about-hydroelectric-energy\/"},"modified":"2014-02-13T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2014-02-13T00:00:00","slug":"hydroelectric-power-all-there-is-to-know-about-hydroelectric-energy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.processindustryforum.com\/energy\/hydroelectric-power-all-there-is-to-know-about-hydroelectric-energy","title":{"rendered":"Hydroelectric power: All there is to know about Hydroelectric energy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hydroelectric Power<\/h1>\n

As we\u2019ve mentioned before, renewable energy is a hot topic and is likely to rise in stock as manufacturers seek to lower carbon emissions and seek more sustainable, cleaner forms of energy production, such as solar energy<\/a>, wind power<\/a>, or hydroelectric power.<\/p>\n

As reports surface of Scottish Power\u2019s plans to expand \u201cpumped storage\u201d hydroelectric power<\/a> in Scotland, we\u2019ve produced this \u2018all there is to know\u2019 article, to look at hydroelectric power<\/strong> in more detail.<\/p>\n

What is hydroelectric power?<\/h2>\n

Hydroelectric power is the production of electrical power by harnessing the gravitational force of flowing or falling water. It accounts for approximately 16 percent of global electricity generation, making it the most prevalent form of renewable energy. This growing field is expected to produce incremental increases of output – amounting to more than three percent annually – for the next quarter of a century.<\/p>\n

How do you create hydroelectric energy?<\/h3>\n

\"Hydroelectric<\/a><\/p>\n

There are four recognised methods of generating hydropower or hydroelectric energy:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Conventional dams, which use the water\u2019s outflow to drive a turbine or generator<\/li>\n
  • Pumped storage, which pumps water into a higher reservoir for release during times of higher demand<\/li>\n
  • Run-of-the-river, where reservoirs are not a viable option<\/li>\n
  • Tidal, making use of the daily ebbs and flows of the sea.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    \u00a0\"Hydroelectric<\/a><\/p>\n

    How widespread is hydroelectric power?<\/h3>\n

    It is estimated that hydropower is now generated in 150 countries globally, with the Asia-Pacific region said to produce a staggering 32 percent of global hydropower in 2010. Perhaps surprisingly, China is the biggest exponent of hydroelectricity, with 721 terawatt-hours of production in 2010, amounting to 17 percent of domestic electricity use.<\/p>\n

    \"Is<\/a><\/p>\n

    How expensive is it to create hydroelectric energy?<\/h3>\n

    The cost of hydroelectricity is reportedly relatively low, ranking highly as a source of cost efficient sustainable energy. The average cost of electricity from a hydro plant larger than 10 megawatts is 3 to 5 U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour, according to the Worldwatch Institute.<\/p>\n

    What equipment do hydroelectric power plants use?<\/h3>\n

    According to ThomasNet.com<\/a>: \u201cA generator is the heart of a hydropower plant, and it is necessary to understand how it functions in order to grasp the other principles of hydroelectric energy. In a generator, electromagnetic charge is created by applying direct current to copper wiring attached to an assembly of magnetic steel. These steel field poles are positioned on the edge of a rotor, which is linked to a rotating turbine.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAs the rotor moves the field poles around the conductors embedded within an external wheel, electricity flows and generates voltage at the generator\u2019s output centers. The generator is usually housed within a protective structure, and its stored energy can be fed into power lines.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Where are hydroelectric power plants?<\/h3>\n

    There are now three hydroelectricity plants larger than 10 GW: the Three Gorges Dam in China (22.5 GW), Itaipu Dam across the Brazil\/Paraguay border (14 GW), and Guri Dam in Venezuela (10.2 GW).<\/p>\n

    The Three Gorges Dam – China<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

    \"Three<\/a><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    The Itaipu Dam – Brazil<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

    \"Itaipu<\/a><\/p>\n

    Large-scale hydroelectric power stations are seen as the largest power producing facilities in the world, with some hydroelectric facilities capable of generating more than double the installed capacities of the current largest nuclear power stations.<\/p>\n

    Video: Learn more by watching this video on the the Three Gorges Dam in China <h4><\/p>\n