Hydro Power - The Secrets Behind Hydro Power
Harnessing the power of water has been used for centuries for many useful purposes. Initially it was used for irrigation and operating various machines, such as windmills and dock cranes. But these days it has a more important use: as a renewable source of electricity.
Nowadays hydro-power is generated in 3 different ways: hydroelectric power, tidal power, and wave power.
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 Energy:
With tidal energy, hydro-power is generated as the tides comes in and goes out.
It has been used in Russia and France since the 1960’s in large estuaries and bays. On method is used where water from the high tide is blocked and then channeled through turbines back into the sea as the tide goes out.
Because it works with the tides, the system is very predicable. However this is also its pitfall, since it only works every 6 hours when the tides changes.
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.
Since this system is an underwater version of a wind turbine, the technology is up to date and refined. Also, water has a high density than air, so the turbines can spin in the lightest of currents.
The problem is these turbines can only be built in shallow sea floors, where marine life can be damaged and other enterprises, such as oyster farming, is affected.
Wave Energy:
Harnessing the power of the waves is the newest type of hydro-power. The system works where surface waves, are used to displace air, which is then compressed and release through turbines, that then spins to make electricity. Two type currently exist - the first is built along the shore-line, where waves constantly break, and the second is built on floating devices in the deep oceans.
Although this technology is relatively new, it has been estimated that there is enough energy in ocean waves to produce up to 2000 Megawatts of power.
However, wave power systems do have environmental concerns. Their hydraulic fluids could leak out into the ocean, causing water pollution. And the fixed structures on the coastline, can damage the natural plant and animal life on the seafloor.
Conclusion:
Over the years we have come up with advanced methods of using water to produce power. Though there are a variety of benefits to using this kind of renewable energy, there are still a number of social and environmental concerns.
Tim McDonald has been making his own solar and wind power since June 2008. He suggests you read this Earth4Energy review before learning how to make your own DIY Renewable Energy at home and cutting your power in half.
