Joules Magazine

Mrs. LopezPeriod 8By: Gabor Zichy Thyssen&Bradley Riemer

JOULES MAGAZINEMay 25, 2016

InsideHydroelectric Energy: What is Hydroelectric Energy? And how was it discovered?

Hydroelectric Energy

Table Of Contents

Page 1-2: How was Hydroelectricity Discovered

Page 3-4: Hydroelectric Dam

Page 5: Renewable

Page 6: Conservation

Page 7: Fun Facts

Page 8: References

How was Hydroelectricity DiscoveredDuring the time of the gold rush there was a high demand

for new power sources to run the machinery and mills that were required for the expansion of gold mines. Then came Lester Allan Pelton. He was an American Inventor and one of the founding fathers of the Hydroelectric power, and a significant figure due to his development in the old west and the entire world.

During an accidental observation, he made in 1870, Lester set out to develop the Pelton Wheel which was capable of harnessing the kinetic energy from fast flowing water in a much more efficient manner. Because of this invention, he had discovered hydroelectricity. Hydroelectricity is the production of electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water. Although the pelton wheel has been developed a long time ago, they are still a successful tool, and are still being used now.

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Pictures Of The Pelton Wheel

A few 300 years later, from the invention of the Pelton Wheel. New forms of inventions were made using new designs using hydroelectric energy. New inventions such as Hydro Hydraulic Energy or the Hydraulic Turbines were made after the invention of the Pelton Wheel. Hydraulic Turbines were widely used for industrial power prior to electrical grids, and its main purpose was to convert kinetic and potential energy of water into mechanical work. Following the Hydraulic Turbine, the Hydro Hydraulic Energies purpose is to transmit the mechanical power gained from run-of river hydro set up by converting it into hydraulic pressure.

Picture of Hydro Hydraulic Energy

Picture of a Hydro Hydraulic Energy

Hydroelectric Dam

A hydroelectric dam regulates the water flow. It creates an energy well, regulating the flow of water. The water spins turbines and creates electricity. The turbines also regulate how much water can pass through. The water collects in a basin.

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Hydroelectric dam

Example of how it works

The water flow from the full basin into the river. The river is at a lower level so it uses gravity. This means that no energy is used to get the energy down. This also means that the flow is regulated. So if there is lots of water in the river already not a lot will come out of the basin.

Hydroelectric Dam

The energy form a hydro electric

dam is used how power lots of

stuff. China is the world's

leading producer of

Hydroelectricity. 16% of the

world's energy is hydroelectric

energy. Hydro electricity is

produced in 150 countries.

Hydroelectricity has been used

since ancient times.

Hydroelectric energy is good

because it is renewable. This

means that it will not run out.

This is a good thing because

unlike the other ways of

creating electricity nothing is

lost. Hydroelectric is a good

alternative. Especially for

nonrenewable electricity.

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It’s Renewable Hydroelectric energy is good because it is

renewable. This means that it will not run out due to its preservation, meaning it is used, and then is capable of being used again. This is a good thing because unlike the other ways of creating electricity nothing is lost. It is a renewable source most likely because it uses the Earth's water cycle to generate electricity. In conclusion, hydroelectricity is renewable for many reasons.

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Conservation

There are many ways humanity can conserve hydroelectricity. One reason is by turning off the lights when you leave the room. Also it can be saved by having outside lights that run on a timer or a sensor. There are also other ways like opening the shades instead of turning on the lights. There are also ways if you are going to leave your home you can turn the air conditioning off.

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Fun Facts

China is the world's leading producer of Hydroelectricity.

16% of the world's energy is hydroelectric energy.

Hydro electricity is produced in 150 countries.

Niagara Falls was the site of the country’s first hydroelectric generating facility.

Devices at dams can help fish and other wildlife move freely around dams and between sections of rivers.

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References

Le Studio Production / film & photo production / Geneva Switzerland. (n.d.). Retrieved May 25, 2016, from http://www.le-studio.ch/styles/details.php?id=146

Tesla Advertisements. (n.d.). Retrieved May 25, 2016, from https://www.pinterest.com/evannex/tesla-advertisements/

A. (2014). BMW i8 - Powerful Idea Commercial. Retrieved May 25, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD47O_Rob3A

Top 10 Things You Didn't Know about Hydropower. (n.d.). Retrieved May 22, 2016, from http://energy.gov/articles/top-10-things-you-didnt-know-about-hydropower

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