Hydro Power As An Energy Alternative
By Yudha Urawa
The world faces an energy crisis. A variety of solutions have been proposed for this: an expansion of nuclear power, drilling for oil in previously protected areas such as Alaska and Antarctica, increased research into energy-saving technology and a large-scale switch to renewable energy. The latter can be split into a variety of areas, the main ones being solar power, wind power and hydro power. The most common large scale hydro power systems are incorporated into dams and reservoirs. The potential energy of the stored water is transformed into usable power. Tidal barrage systems operate across the mouths of river estuaries, where the ebb and flow of the tide can be exploited to provide energy.
Simple Hydro Power model: (Head(ft) x Flow in Cubic Feet per Second) / 11.8 = KW output. or (Head(ft) x Flow in Cubic Feet per Second) / 8.8 = HP output. There is also an instream flow requirement that sets a minimum flow for continued health of the stream critters between the intake and power house. The variable jet control combined with the extra nozzle and pelton turbine gives a better range of efficiencies for our variable flow regime. Just add water!
The benefits of such hydro power systems are clear, once constructed, the energy produced is cheap and clean when compared to other power sources, the amount of pollution produced is minimal. Hydro power other benefits, among other as long as the water is there in sufficient quantity, hydro stations can generate power 24/7, microhydro systems produce no pollutants, large dams can be useful for flood control. Hydro power, but also has some shortages, among other , the reservoirs created by large dams and mega-dams destroy local habitats, large hydroelectric dams are expensive to build, large hydroelectric dams can only be used in a limited number of places those with large water supplies, damming rivers and streams changes the natural waterways, diverting water from areas that depend on it.
Check out my other article on Solar Lighting
By Yudha Urawa
The world faces an energy crisis. A variety of solutions have been proposed for this: an expansion of nuclear power, drilling for oil in previously protected areas such as Alaska and Antarctica, increased research into energy-saving technology and a large-scale switch to renewable energy. The latter can be split into a variety of areas, the main ones being solar power, wind power and hydro power. The most common large scale hydro power systems are incorporated into dams and reservoirs. The potential energy of the stored water is transformed into usable power. Tidal barrage systems operate across the mouths of river estuaries, where the ebb and flow of the tide can be exploited to provide energy.
Simple Hydro Power model: (Head(ft) x Flow in Cubic Feet per Second) / 11.8 = KW output. or (Head(ft) x Flow in Cubic Feet per Second) / 8.8 = HP output. There is also an instream flow requirement that sets a minimum flow for continued health of the stream critters between the intake and power house. The variable jet control combined with the extra nozzle and pelton turbine gives a better range of efficiencies for our variable flow regime. Just add water!
The benefits of such hydro power systems are clear, once constructed, the energy produced is cheap and clean when compared to other power sources, the amount of pollution produced is minimal. Hydro power other benefits, among other as long as the water is there in sufficient quantity, hydro stations can generate power 24/7, microhydro systems produce no pollutants, large dams can be useful for flood control. Hydro power, but also has some shortages, among other , the reservoirs created by large dams and mega-dams destroy local habitats, large hydroelectric dams are expensive to build, large hydroelectric dams can only be used in a limited number of places those with large water supplies, damming rivers and streams changes the natural waterways, diverting water from areas that depend on it.
Check out my other article on Solar Lighting
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