The Earth offers us renewable and non-renewable resources with which we can generate energy. For example, did you know that water can generate electrical energy? In addition, it is a renewable resource that occupies 70% of the planet's surface and is of special importance for the functioning of the planet and the living beings that inhabit it.
If you want to know more about hydroelectric energy, or also called hydroelectric energy, know how the power plants that produce it work and also know in detail some examples of hydroelectric power plants. Continue reading this Green Ecologist article in which we talk about what is hydropower and examples.
The hydraulic energy It is part of one of the oldest energies, which with the advancement of technology has been advancing to be more and more efficient. Be part of The renewable energies and it is the one that generates the most electricity in the world. Here we explain much more about whether hydraulic energy is really renewable or not?
To generate this energy is used the movement of water flowing through rivers and other bodies of water. In general, this movement, which is what is known as the kinetic energy of the water, occurs when the water falls, which is why the areas to locate the power plants have to present unevenness. The falling water makes a turbine move that generates the electric power which will be injected directly into the electrical network.
The operation will depend on the model of hydroelectric plant and these vary according to the place where they are located. Taking this into account, we find that there are three types of hydroelectric power plants and this is the hydraulic power operation in these:
They are located on land that is not very uneven, and does not have a reservoir. The river flow must be stable to ensure the power required for the entire year. In times of abundant rainfall the maximum power is generated and in drier times, the power is lower, sometimes null due to a complete drought of some rivers.
These plants have more than one dam to store the water. They are power plants that need greater economic investment, but have the advantage that, by being able to accumulate water, in times of drought despite the river being completely dry, it can use stored water and continue to generate energy.
In these found two reservoirs that are located at different levels and rationalizes the water resources since, depending on the time of day, the demand for energy of greater or lesser. When the demand is high, the water falls from the reservoir that is in the upper level causing the rotation of the turbines, and this water is stored in the lower reservoir. However, when the demand is lower there is a pumping towards the upper reservoir so that the cycle of power generation takes place again.
After knowing all this, we think it is interesting to also discover what mini-hydraulic energy is and how it works with this other post.
We will mention some of the hydroelectric plants that are located throughout the world as examples of hydropower:
Although it is true that hydroelectric plants have great advantages, there are still some disadvantages such as the impact on the biodiversity that belongs to the territory where they are built, or that can cause the flooding of nearby towns. It makes producing this energy not entirely sustainable, even though it comes from a renewable resource. In this other Green Ecologist article you can learn about the Advantages and Disadvantages of hydropower.
If you want to read more articles similar to What is hydropower and examples, we recommend that you enter our category of Renewable Energies.