Hydroelectricity: The Wave Hydroelectricity: The Wave of the Futureof the Future

By: Dan Broderick By: Dan Broderick

& Bobby Barnhisel& Bobby Barnhisel

What is Hydroelectricity?What is Hydroelectricity?

Hydroelectricity or Hydropower is the Hydroelectricity or Hydropower is the electricity obtained by harnessing the electricity obtained by harnessing the power of water flowing down from a power of water flowing down from a high levelhigh level

Hydroelectricity is a renewable resourceHydroelectricity is a renewable resource It is one of the only forms of energy that It is one of the only forms of energy that

does not emit harmful toxins into the does not emit harmful toxins into the atmosphere (greenhouse gases)atmosphere (greenhouse gases)

It is in some ways inexpensive It is in some ways inexpensive

How does How does Hydroelectricity work? IHydroelectricity work? I

Dams are key components to the Dams are key components to the harnessing of hydroelectric power harnessing of hydroelectric power

Water is held behind the dam causing Water is held behind the dam causing a large pressure build upa large pressure build up

When the water is released through When the water is released through the dam, it spins the blades of a the dam, it spins the blades of a turbineturbine

The turbine is connected to a The turbine is connected to a generatorgenerator

A rotor is located within the generatorA rotor is located within the generator

How does Hydroelectricity How does Hydroelectricity work? IIwork? II

Large electro-magnets are attached to the rotorLarge electro-magnets are attached to the rotor Large copper wires encompass the magnetsLarge copper wires encompass the magnets An electron flow is created in the copper coils An electron flow is created in the copper coils

How does Hydroelectricity How does Hydroelectricity work? IIIwork? III

A: Reservoir B: Turbine

C: Generator D: Transformer

How Much is How Much is Hydroelectricity actually Hydroelectricity actually

used?used? Chart of Canada’s Chart of Canada’s

energy sourcesenergy sources Nearly 2/3 of all Nearly 2/3 of all

power is power is hydroelectric hydroelectric

Top 3 Hydropower Top 3 Hydropower users:users: 1 = Norway (99.9%)1 = Norway (99.9%) 2 = New Zealand 2 = New Zealand

(75%)(75%) 3 = Canada (66.6%) 3 = Canada (66.6%)

Benefits of HydropowerBenefits of Hydropower

Renewable energy Renewable energy source*source* One of Earth’s most One of Earth’s most

abundant resources abundant resources Inexpensive repairs & Inexpensive repairs &

maintenancemaintenance Very few breakdowns Very few breakdowns

among the mechanical among the mechanical worksworks

Dams Dams shut down shut down immediatelyimmediately

More Benefits of More Benefits of HydroelectricityHydroelectricity

Most efficient way to generate Most efficient way to generate electricityelectricity

0.85 per kilowatt-hour0.85 per kilowatt-hour Much cheaper than Nuclear, Much cheaper than Nuclear,

Fossil Fuels & Natural GasFossil Fuels & Natural Gas Ability to store energy and used Ability to store energy and used

when neededwhen needed Reservoir of waterReservoir of water

Downsides of Downsides of HydroelectricityHydroelectricity

Requires extensive floodingRequires extensive flooding Possible destruction of Possible destruction of

ecosystemsecosystems Very expensive to buildVery expensive to build

Three Gorges Dam = $24.65 Three Gorges Dam = $24.65 Billion USDBillion USD

Possibility of droughtPossibility of drought

Two Most Famous Two Most Famous Hydroelectric sources in Hydroelectric sources in

North AmericaNorth America Niagara Falls: Niagara Falls:

Border of New Border of New York, USA & York, USA & Ontario, Canada. Ontario, Canada. (35 Million gallons (35 Million gallons fresh water/minute)fresh water/minute)

Hoover Dam: Hoover Dam: Colorado River, Colorado River, Border of AZ & NV, Border of AZ & NV, USAUSA

In Conclusion…In Conclusion…

Hydroelectricity is very capableHydroelectricity is very capable Countries in the future may rely on Countries in the future may rely on

waterwater Great renewable source of energyGreat renewable source of energy Non-pollutingNon-polluting The world is in need of alternative The world is in need of alternative

fuelsfuels Hydropower has already taken a Hydropower has already taken a

substantial rolesubstantial role