All Flashcards
How does hydropower generate electricity?
Moving water turns a turbine, which powers a generator to produce electricity.
Explain the role of a dam in hydropower generation.
Dams create reservoirs to store water and control its release for power generation.
What are the benefits of hydropower compared to fossil fuels?
Hydropower is renewable, produces no air pollution, and can provide flood control.
What are the environmental impacts of building a hydroelectric dam?
Habitat disruption, altered water flow, and potential methane emissions from reservoirs.
How does the height of a dam affect power generation?
Greater height increases the water's kinetic energy, leading to more electricity generation.
What is the significance of reservoirs in hydropower?
Reservoirs store water, allowing for controlled release and consistent power generation.
How does hydropower contribute to a country's energy mix?
It provides a renewable and reliable source of electricity, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
What are the economic considerations of hydropower?
High initial construction costs but low operating costs and long lifespan.
Explain the concept of 'run-of-river' hydropower.
A type of hydropower that uses the natural flow of the river without a large reservoir.
What are the limitations of tidal wave hydropower?
Limited locations, high construction costs, and potential impacts on marine ecosystems.
What are the steps in hydroelectric power generation?
Reservoir creation, water release, kinetic energy generation, turbine rotation, electricity generation, distribution.
Describe water flow in a hydroelectric dam.
Water flows from the reservoir, through a penstock, turns the turbine, and exits downstream.
Why is hydropower considered renewable?
Water is continuously replenished through the water cycle.
Explain energy conversion in hydropower.
Potential energy of stored water converts to kinetic energy, then mechanical energy (turbine), then electrical energy (generator).
How do dams create potential energy?
By increasing the water's height, increasing gravitational potential energy.
Describe the relationship between water height and energy.
Higher water levels behind a dam result in greater potential energy and more electricity generation.
What role does gravity play in hydropower?
Gravity pulls water downwards, converting potential energy into kinetic energy to spin turbines.
What are the two main types of hydroelectric power generation?
Dams and tidal waves.