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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.
What is hydraulic energy
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.
How hydropower works and types of hydroelectric power plants
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:
Flowing water plants
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.
Reservoir plants
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.
Pumping stations or reversible
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.
Examples of hydropower and its power plants
We will mention some of the hydroelectric plants that are located throughout the world as examples of hydropower:
- Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant Hydroelectric Plant: It is located in the Niagara Falls taking advantage of the great waterfall that there is in these, this power station was the first to be built in the whole world.
- Salime reservoir: This reservoir is located in Spain, exactly in the city and Asturias. It is supplied by the Navia River and it is true that the river bed had to be changed. It produces 350 GWh per year for the population.
- Three Gorges Dam: Surely you have heard the name of this dam at some time, as it is the largest hydroelectric plant in the world that produces a great power of 24000MW. It is found in China and is fed by the Yangtze River. Construction was completed in 2012, although 19 cities and some towns were flooded with the problem of having to evacuate all their inhabitants.
- Itaipu Dam: This project is led by Brazil and Paraguay since it is located on the border where the Paraná River passes. It generates up to 14,000MW and it was in 1984 when it started operating.
- Xilodu Dam: It is also located in China, on the Jinsha River, it has the capacity to produce up to 13,860 MW of electricity, but it also controls the channel to prevent floods from occurring, as well as to make navigation easier.
- Yacyretá-Apipé Dam: It is located in an area that belongs to Argentina and Paraguay, on the Paraná River as well as the Xilodu dam. Of all the energy that Argentina demands, 22% comes from this dam with a power of 3,100MW. This dam brought with its construction too many controversies, as it had a great impact on the biodeversity of the area, causing the extinction of endemic species.
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.
