Hydroelectric power how does it work for kids

A tidal power station makes use of the daily rise and fall of ocean water due to tides; such sources are highly predictable, and if conditions permit construction of reservoirs, can also be dispatchable to generate power during high demand periods. Less common types of hydro schemes use water's kinetic energy or undammed sources such as undershot water wheels. Tidal power is viable in a relatively small number of locations around the world.

Large-scale hydroelectric power stations are more commonly 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.

Although no official definition exists for the capacity range of large hydroelectric power stations, facilities from over a few hundred megawatts are generally considered large hydroelectric facilities. Currently, only four facilities over 10 GW 10, MW are in operation worldwide, see table below.

Small hydro is the development of hydroelectric power on a scale serving a small community or industrial plant. The definition of a small hydro project varies but a generating capacity of up to 10 megawatts MW is generally accepted as the upper limit of what can be termed small hydro. Small hydro stations may be connected to conventional electrical distribution networks as a source of low-cost renewable energy.

Alternatively, small hydro projects may be built in isolated areas that would be uneconomic to serve from a network, or in areas where there is no national electrical distribution network. Since small hydro projects usually have minimal reservoirs and civil construction work, they are seen as having a relatively low environmental impact compared to large hydro. This decreased environmental impact depends strongly on the balance between stream flow and power production. Micro hydro is a term used for hydroelectric power installations that typically produce up to kW of power.

These installations can provide power to an isolated home or small community, or are sometimes connected to electric power networks. There are many of these installations around the world, particularly in developing nations as they can provide an economical source of energy without purchase of fuel. Micro hydro systems complement photovoltaic solar energy systems because in many areas, water flow, and thus available hydro power, is highest in the winter when solar energy is at a minimum.

Pico hydro is a term used for hydroelectric power generation of under 5 kW. It is useful in small, remote communities that require only a small amount of electricity. For example, to power one or two fluorescent light bulbs and a TV or radio for a few homes. Even smaller turbines of W may power a single home in a developing country with a drop of only 1 m 3 ft. A Pico-hydro setup is typically run-of-the-river , meaning that dams are not used, but rather pipes divert some of the flow, drop this down a gradient, and through the turbine before returning it to the stream.

All the water used to make hydro-electricity is returned to the river after use. Hydro-electricity is clean power. It produces no waste, and doesn't produce any greenhouse gases. Read more about renewable energy on kidcyber. Easy to understand text for student research, including material for primary school students K-6 Easy to navigate format Units of work and lesson plans for teachers on a variety of topics in key learning areas kidcyberQuests: student webquest assignments with links to information sites for research, project ideas, evaluation 'Ask a kidcyber Researcher' feature where students can request specific information about a topic Advice to parents about helping with school homework assignments and projects.

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Except as permitted under the Act for example for the services of the Crown or in reliance on one of the fair dealing exceptions i. When the water vapor rises, it turns into clouds. The cold air above the earth mixes with the clouds and releases rain or snow, called precipitation. This water cycle goes on repeating forever, making this a renewable energy source. Hydropower is also a clean source of energy and the cheapest form of energy. There is no fuel to burn, so there are no harmful emissions released into the air.

These reservoirs can also offer recreational areas for swimming, boating, and fishing. Since ancient times people have found ways to harness the energy produced by moving water. Rain or melted snow from hills and mountain areas create moving streams and rivers of water. For example, the water wheel was first used around B. Over 2, years ago the Greeks used water as an energy source to turn water wheels for grinding wheat into flour.

The running water would flow over the wheel into buckets attached to the wheel and force the wheel to turn. In the early s, Americans and Europeans used water wheels in factories to power machines like saws in lumber mills. By harnessing that energy, hydropower is used to generate electricity. After the invention of the turbine in the early s and the generator in the late s, the first hydroelectric plant in the U.