What is The Definition of  Hydroelectric power?

Hydro-electric is the power that is harnessed from flowing water, this is a Hydro-electric definition. It is a domestic, clean and renewable source of energy. Power is generated by using gravity to force water through a turbine. The force of water turns the turbine blades which lead to the creation of electricity.

This works in the same way as electric generators. The water plant however requires strong water pressure or ‘head’ to turn the turbines. For this reason they are usually found near waterfalls and dams. However it is important to note that there are some mini hydroelectric power plants that are found besides, streams and rivers and other tiny bodies of water.

Methods of generating hydroelectric power:

There are several methods of generating this power including.

• Convectional dams – most of the electric power is acquired from dammed water with the help of a generator and water turbine. The power that will be produced is dependent on volume and height difference between water’s outflow and the source. The difference in height is also known as head.
• Pumped storage – this is usually utilized to supply high peak demands. This is done through the process of moving water from various reservoirs done at different elevations. Excess generation is used when there is low electrical demand. If the demand is high, a turbine is used to direct water back into the lower reservoir.
• Run of the river – these hydroelectric stations have no reservoirs or utilize the ones that have very small capacity. This usually means that the water that comes from upstream has to be used at the moment for generation. It can also be allowed to by-pass a dam.
• Low Head turbines – this turbine generator is especially adapted for micro hydroelectric plants as it can generate electricity from a very low drop or ‘head’. Low head turbines can be used where there is a fall or head of less that 3 foot
• Tide – a tidal power plant runs on the rise and fall of the ocean water on a daily basis thanks to the tides. These are normally referred to as highly predictable sources. Reservoirs can also be constructed if the conditions allow. These are normally used when the demand is high.
• Underground– an underground power station utilizes head between 2 waterways like a mountain lake or a waterfall. An underground tunnel has to be constructed to transport water from a high reservoir into a generating hall that is also built in an underground cavern. This is normally situated at the water tunnel’s lowest point.

Arguably this is one of the best alternative energies to use as it is pollution free. Its production does not yield to polluting by products like energy sources that are fossil-based. This is because all that is needed is strong flow of water and gravity. There are a number of reasons for using hydroelectric power such as…

Technical feasibility of Hydro-Electric Power:

This is one of the most efficient power generators. At the moment, hydropower can be used to convert at least 90% of all the available energy to be used as electricity. This is better than most fossil fuel plants which are only about 60% efficient. In most cases, it can be used as a quick response to utility load demands.

Projects that deal with this type of energy are beneficial in the sense that reservoirs can also be used for other purposes such as offering great water sports spots for recreation. These can also be used as tourist attractions. There are some countries where aquaculture is practiced here. This is usually a good spot because of the constant water supply.

Irrigation systems can also be developed on the multi use dams to support farming. Hydro dams can also be used to control floods which are helpful to the people who live in the downstream of the plant. The application of mini hydro-electric systems can particularly apply in these circumstances.

Hydroelectric advantages and disadvantages:

This is a very flexible electricity source as the power plants or hydro-dams can be set up very fast so that they can adapt to the needs of the ever changing demands. However no system is perfect and even hydroelectric has it drawbacks as well as advantages.

Industrial applications:
There are some plants that can be set up specifically to use in industrial enterprises. Steel production being foremost as it is a large consumer of electrical power. There are very many companies that use this form of energy for mass productions without too many complications.

Hydroelectric is Renewable:

Hydropower is renewable as it generally gets its energy from the sun. This may seem a strange statement at first, however we must bear in mind that the sun is the driving force behind the hydrological cycle that ensures the provision of water in the first instance.

Water that is used in the turbines is not altered in any way thus it can also be used in other sources or to produce more electric power.

Environmental benefits:

In the running process, Hydropower does not contribute in any way to air pollution. It is clean and green. The projects usually adhere to very demanding environmental standards. Before any plant is erected in any area, it has to go through serious scrutiny to make sure that is does not affect the local communities and environment in a negative way.

Some of the things that are put into consideration include water quality, shed & flow, fish passage, management, habitat protection and the lifestyle as well as welfare of the local communities.

Cost effectiveness:

There is usually very low operation costs incurred when it comes to hydro electric power. Despite the fact that high capital is needed to establish the plant, maintenance costs are usually minimum especially when compared to other power generators. The plant life can also be extended economically through periodic replacement of some of the pieces of equipment such as rewinding generators, replacing turbine runners and so forth.

When this is put in place, it can run for 50 or more years. The hydro plant is also designed to produce electricity as long as the plant is working effectively. Once the initial investment has been made, the price is also understood to remain constant and not fluctuate like in the case with natural gas, fossil fuel plants and coal among many others.

Hydroelectric Drawbacks:

Just like everything else in the market, hydro-electric systems also have some disadvantages. The most prominent one is the high cost of investment which some people find very challenging to raise. The hoover dam for instance cost around $165 million to complete in 1935 to build the Dam complete with generators and powerhouse.

An extreme example perhaps, however, the best thing is that the amount can be recovered once the plant is up and running due to the low maintenance and operation costs. This is generally seen as a long-term investment when done for commercial purposes.

In the event a dam has to be built, this may result in causing blockages or changing the direction of the water. This can cause disorder in the natural environment, and also to indigenous peoples who may have up until that time lived on, and earned their living from the valley the dam now occupies.

As with most things in life, there is a trade-off between the good and the bad elements of any action; Hydro-electric power is no exception to this general rule.