Hydro+Electricity

We have used running water as an energy source for thousands of years, mainly to grind corn. The first house in the world to use hydroelectricity was Crag side House, in Northumberland, England, in 1878 How it works: A dam is built to trap water, Water is allowed to flow through the tunnels in the dam, to turn  the turbines and drive generators. The dam is much thicker at the bottom than at the top because the pressure of the water increases with depth. Hydro-electric power stations can produce a great deal of power very cheaply. Advantages: Once the dam is built the energy is virtually free and there is no waste or pollution produced. Hydro-electricity is much more reliable than wind, solar or wave power and hydro-electricity power stations can be increased to full power much quicker than other power stations. Water at the power station can be stored above the dam ready for more electricity demands and it is also a consistent source of energy Disadvantages: They are very expensive to build and having a dam there it can flood upstream where animals live, breed and eat causing problems for them. Finding a suitable site for the station can be difficult, the impact on residents and the environment may be very bad and Water quality and quantity downstream can be affected as the station may not let all the water go or have a leak in the water, which can have an impact on plant and animal life. Back To Contents
 * Hydro Energy **