6.9 Hydroelectric Power

• What is hydroelectric power generated from?

  Energy of flowing water
• The power generated in hydroelectric plants is calculated using the formula P = ρghQ
• Steps in hydroelectric power generation

  1️⃣ Water stored in a reservoir possesses potential energy

  2️⃣ Potential energy is converted to kinetic energy as water flows down

  3️⃣ Water drives turbines connected to generators

  4️⃣ Generators convert mechanical energy to electrical energy
• Water stored at a higher elevation in a reservoir has potential energy.
• Generators in hydroelectric plants convert kinetic energy directly into electrical energy.

  False
• Match the type of hydroelectric power plant with its description:

  Conventional hydroelectric plant ↔️ Uses dams to store water in a reservoir

  Run-of-river plant ↔️ Harnesses river energy without a large reservoir

  Pumped storage plant ↔️ Stores energy by pumping water uphill
• Which type of hydroelectric plant does not require a large reservoir?

  Run-of-river
• Pumped storage plants store energy by pumping water to an upper reservoir
• Run-of-river plants are more efficient than conventional hydroelectric plants.

  False
• What is the reservoir requirement for pumped storage plants?

  Yes, two reservoirs
• Conventional hydroelectric plants create reservoirs using dams
• How do pumped storage plants store energy?

  By pumping water uphill
• Match the type of hydroelectric power plant with its description:

  Conventional ↔️ Uses dams to store water

  Run-of-river ↔️ Harnesses river energy without a reservoir

  Pumped storage ↔️ Stores energy by pumping water
• Conventional hydroelectric plants require large reservoirs.
• Pumped storage plants store energy by pumping water from a lower reservoir to an upper reservoir during off-peak
• What is an example of a conventional hydroelectric plant?

  Hoover Dam
• How is hydroelectric power generated?

  By harnessing flowing water
• Hydroelectric power has low greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels
• Steps in hydroelectric power generation:

  1️⃣ Water stored in a reservoir has potential energy

  2️⃣ Potential energy is converted to kinetic energy

  3️⃣ Moving water drives turbines

  4️⃣ Generators convert mechanical energy to electrical energy
• Water stored in a reservoir has potential energy due to its elevation.
• The power generated in hydroelectric plants is calculated using the formula $P =$$\rho g h Q$, where $\rho$ is water density
• Match the type of hydroelectric power plant with its key features:

  Conventional ↔️ Uses dams and large reservoirs

  Run-of-river ↔️ No large reservoirs, relies on natural flow

  Pumped storage ↔️ Stores water in two reservoirs
• What are some negative environmental impacts of hydroelectric power?

  Habitat destruction and altered river flow
• Sustainable management is crucial to mitigate the negative environmental impacts of hydroelectric
• Hydroelectric power has lower operating costs than fossil fuel plants once constructed.
• How much lower are the operating costs of hydroelectric power compared to fossil fuels, according to the study material?

  Approximately $30 per MWh
• Arrange the basic principles of hydroelectric power generation in the correct order:

  1️⃣ Potential energy of stored water

  2️⃣ Conversion to kinetic energy

  3️⃣ Moving water drives turbines

  4️⃣ Mechanical energy converted to electrical energy
• As water flows down, its potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, which is given by the formula $E =$$\frac{1}{2} mv^{2}$, where $v$ is the water's velocity
• Match the energy conversion stages in hydroelectric power generation:

  Potential energy ↔️ Stored water

  Kinetic energy ↔️ Moving water

  Mechanical energy ↔️ Spinning turbines

  Electrical energy ↔️ Generators
• What formula is used to calculate the power generated in hydroelectric power?

  $P =$$\rho g h Q$
• Water density and flow rate are factors that affect the power generated in hydroelectric plants.
• The basic principles of hydroelectric power generation include potential energy, kinetic energy, turbines, and electrical generation
• Which type of hydroelectric power plant uses dams to store water in a reservoir?

  Conventional
• What type of energy do generators convert mechanical energy into?

  Electrical energy
• The power generated by a hydroelectric plant is calculated using the formula P = \rho g h Q
• A dam with a height of 100 meters can generate more power than a dam with a height of 50 meters, assuming other variables are constant.
• What is a run-of-river hydroelectric plant characterized by?

  No large reservoir
• Steps in the operation of a pumped storage hydroelectric plant

  1️⃣ Pump water from lower to upper reservoir

  2️⃣ Store water in upper reservoir

  3️⃣ Release water to generate electricity
• Pumped storage plants store energy by pumping water to an upper reservoir
• Run-of-river plants do not require a large reservoir to operate.