Hydroelectric energy plant

The principle of harnessing the energy of tides dates back to eleventh-century England when tides were used to turn waterwheels, producing mechanical power. More recently, rising and falling tides have been used to generate electricity, in much the same manner as hydroelectric power plants. 

The Barrage de la Ranee was the iirst hydroelectric power plant to generate energy using tidal power. (Corbis-Eettmann)... 

Land use in the Ebro River basin has been traditionally based on agricultural crops, such as vineyards, orchards, and maize. Up to 783,948 Ha are dedicated to agriculture, and mainly in the mid and lower Ebro sections, are irrigated. Nowadays, industry is a relevant activity at the most important cities (e.g., Zaragoza, Pamplona). Hydroelectric energy production uses about 8,297 m3/s in 340 hydroelectric plants at the Ebro River basin. Water of the Ebro River is also used for cooling nuclear and thermic plants. Urban water demand is 5% of that used for agriculture. 

In a traditional tidal energy plant, a dam is constructed that captures tides as they flow inward. When the tide goes out, water behind the dam is released which powers a turbine in a manner similar to traditional hydroelectric power generation. These systems work best when there is a dramatic difference, at least 16 feet, between low tide and high tide. 

As matter falls from a higher to a lower level, its gravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. A hydroelectric power plant converts the kinetic energy of falling water into electrical (potential) energy. 

Catuneanu, VM., Popenpiu, R 1989. Optimization of the system s reliability. Bucharest Editor of Academy Pang H., Chen L., Dlakavu N Shen Z., Basic Modeling and simulation Tool for Analysis of Hydraulic Transients in Hydroelectric Power Plants, IEEE Transactions, on Energy Conversion, vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 834-842, September 2008... 

The data are from the Statistical Review of World Energy (British Petroleum, 2007). The remaining 12% is from nuclear and hydroelectric power plants. The estimates of global oil reserves are also from the same source. 

Nearly all electricity for commercial use is produced by machines consisting of a turbine linked by a drive shaft to an electrical generator. The energy required to run the turbine can be supplied by falling water, as in hydroelectric power plants, or by steam, as in thermal power plants. 

See also j ricultural Science Biofuels and Synthetic Fuels Climate Modeling Environmental Biotechnology Fossil Fuel Power Plants Fuel Cell Technologies Casoline Processing and Production Hydroelectric Power Plants Land-Use Management Solar Energy Wind Power Technologies. 

See also Biofuels and Synthetic Fuels Coal Gasification Hazardous-Waste Disposal Hydroelectric Power Plants Industrial Pollution Control Petroleum Extraction and Processing Steam Energy Technology Wind Power Technologies. 

Hydroelectric power plants are important sources of renewable energy. Producing the electricity generated by these plants does not result in significant levels of pollution. It also does not consume resources that take centuries to replenish, does not require labor-intensive or costly processes, and does not damj e the environment. 

See also Climatology Coastal Engineering Fisheries Science Flood-Control Technology Hydroelectric Power Plants Meteorology Ocean and Tidal Energy Technologies Oceanography Water-Pollution Control Water Supply Systems. 

See also Energy Storage Technologies Fuel Cell Technologies Hydroelectric Power Plants Hydrology and Hydrogeology Wind Power Technologies. 

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