3 Ways Hydro-power Is Produced
Using the water's power is an age-old phenomenon. Over the years it has been employed for irrigation and working a variety of machines, including water-wheels. But today, it is used more importantly as a alternative energy source.
There are three methods to producing hydro-power: hydro-electric energy, tidal energy. and through ocean waves.
Hydroelectricity:
This is the most common form of hydro-power, making up the majority of all renewable energy produced. Electricity is produced in hydroelectric dams where the force of falling water drives massive turbines.
The advantage of this type of power is that not only does it produce electricity, but the dam helps collect water for our use, so it's a power and water source in one. Furthermore, the force of the water is so strong that megawatts of electricity can be produced to help power entire cities.
The disadvantage is the devastating effect dams can have on plants, animals and even humans. When dams are built they flood large tracts of land that were once occupied by various species and communities of people. Furthermore, the water-borne animals, such as fish can also be affected. An example would be salmon that are blocked from swimming upstream to spawn by the newly erected dam.
Tidal Power:
Using the tides is the second most common form of hydro-power. Here, electricity is generated by using the low and high tides.
This has been achieved by France and Russia since 1966 in areas with a large tidal range, such as bays and estuaries. One of the systems of tidal power works by trapping water at high tide with a tidal barrage, then releasing that water in one quick burst at low tide. This gushing water drives turbines to produce power.
The only drawback with using such a system is that it only operates as the tide turns, which is every 6 hours.
The latest tidal power system operates where large windmill-type turbines are placed in shallow water, and spin slowly as the tide comes in and goes out.
The nice thing about this tidal system is that the technology is advanced and derived from our land-based wind turbines. And water is much denser than air, meaning it takes only a small current to get the turbine spinning.
The disadvantage with this tidal power system is that it can only operate in shallow area. This is usually where other economic activities, such as oyster farming, take place, and also where marine life thrives.
Power from the oceans waves:
This is the latest in hydro-power technology. Here oceans surface waves displace and compress air that is then fed through turbines, that generate power. These systems are either attached on floating platforms in the open ocean, or built along the shore where waves break.
What makes this technology so appealing is it potential to harness over two thousand megawatts of power that the ocean's waves contain.
But, like any renewable energy system, there are environmental implications. These systems can damage the various corals and other ocean species along our coastlines. And the hydraulic fluid used could cause major water pollution if it ever leaked out into the sea.
Last words:
Man has come up with ingenious ways to harness the power of nature to produce electricity, hydro power being one of them. Although it is an important renewable energy for the future, there is still much controversy over its long-term environmental impact.
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