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Is a natural resource available in areas with sufficient water and once used, is returned downstream. Its development requires building reservoirs, dams, diversion channels and installation of equipment for large turbines and generate electricity. This involves investing large sums of money, which is not competitive in regions where coal and oil are cheap. However, the weight and environmental considerations require low maintenance once the focus in operation. Hydropower is based on leveraging the water fall from a height. The potential energy during the fall, becomes kinetic. The water passes through the turbine at high speed, causing a rotational movement which finally transforms into electrical energy through the generators. |
The basic operation is to harness the kinetic energy of water stored, so as to actuate the hydraulic turbines.
In the use of hydropower influenced by two factors: the volume and height of the jump to get more water carried by rivers, dams are built to regulate the flow depending on the time of year. The dam also serves to increase the jump.
Another way to increase the height of the jump is deriving water channel slope for small (less than the riverbed), achieving a greater gap between the canal and the river.
The water dam or channel penetrates the pipe where the jump is performed. Its potential energy is converted into kinetic energy reaching the engine rooms, which house the turbines and generators. Water reaching the turbine rotates about its axis, which drags in its movement the electric generator.
