Generation of hydroelectricity

The outlined perspectives of both nuclear and fossil fuel-derived energies are reason enough to promote alternative energy sources. As mentioned earlier, one of the chief renewable sources is water, and the generation of hydroelectric power is extensive on a global scale... 

The challenge for the next generation of hydroelectric power professionals will be to modify this existing technology or explore the use of alternatives that do not require such a large footprint. Using water as it moves, without impeding its flow, is one possible way that hydroelectric power plants can better coexist with the populations they serve. 

This water cycle—the process of moving water from oceans to streams and hack again— is essential to the generation of hydroclcctricity. Moving water can be used to perform work and, in particular, hydroelectric power plants employ water to produce electricity. The comhination of abundant rainfall and the right geographical conditions is essential for hydroelectric generation. 

Hydroelectric power is generated by flowing water driving a turbine connected to an electric generator. The two basic types of hydroelectric systems are those based on falling water and those based on natural river current, both of which rely on gravitation-... 

Th ese manufactured light sources are, perhaps ironically, largely dependent on the Sun. The radiant energy from the Sun has been stored in the fossilized remains of billions of creatures over millions of years and is used to power the electric light sources created by modern humans. The power generated by hydroelectric sources also is a result of solar evaporation and subsequent rainfall. Only nuclear reactors provide power independent of the Sun, which is, of course, the largest nuclear reactor in the solar system. 

Table 1 Primary P and secondary effects S of hydroelectric power generation on streams. S are a consequence of P...

There is great potential for increasing the output of hydroelectric power, but not by building more dams. Only 2400 of the 80,000 existing dams in the United States are used to generate power. Many of these untapped dams could be fitted with turbines and generators. Furthermore, most hydroelectric dams in the United States were built in the 1940s, when equipment was not... 

Industry uses about 20% of global freshwater draw-off. From 57% to 69% of global water draw-off is used in power generation at hydroelectric power stations and nuclear stations, 30%-40% in industrial processes, and 0.5%-3% in thermal energy. 

Flash Steam Generation The most common type of hydroelectric power generation technique. Flash steam describes a system where a high temperature geothermal steam source can be used to directly drive a turbine. Also see Binary Cycle Generation. ... 

Globally, sources for worldwide generation of electricity in 2007 included about 16% hydroelectric 16% nuclear and 2% renewables including waste, wind, geothermal and solar. 

CONDITIONS OF HYDROELECTRICITY GENERATION ON SEVAN-HRAZDAN CASCADE... 

It should be marked that value of individual RES also depends on the amount of fossil fuel that can be replaced by them. Power produced by hydroelectric plants, WPPs, PV units replaces almost three times bigger amount of fossil energy necessary for the generation of the same amount of power. In 2030... 

The disadvantages of hydroelectric power generated through large-scale dam projects are its potential impact on wildlife and agriculture downstream from the dam, the possibility that it may displace the local population, and, ironically, greenhouse gas emissions ... 

The principal material required for a hydroelectric power facility is water (as energy supply and cooling). The potential impacts of hydroelectric power generation are primarily related to the impact of the physical structure, i.e., the dam, that is required for storage and management of the water used to power the turbines, and its effect on the local ecosystem in the river that has been converted to an electric power facility. Some negative impacts may include ... 

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