Harnessing Hydroelectricity
To harness energy from flowing water, the water must be controlled. A large reservoir is created, usually by damming a river to create an artificial lake, or reservoir. Water is channeled through tunnels in the dam.
The energy of water flowing through the dam's tunnels causes turbines to turn. The turbines make generators move. Generators are machines that produce electricity.
Hydroelectricity relies on water, which is a clean, renewable energy source. A renewable source of energy is one that will not run out. Renewable energy comes from natural sources, like wind, sunlight, rain, tides, and geothermal energy (the heat produced inside the Earth).Non-renewable energy sources include coal, oil, and natural gas.
Water is renewable because the water cycle is continually …show more content…
Boaters and water skiers can enjoy the lake. Many reservoirs are also stocked with fish. The area around a reservoir is often a protected natural space, allowing campers and hikers to enjoy the natural environment.
Using water as a source of energy is generally a safe environmental choice. It's not perfect, though. Hydroelectric power plants require a dam and a reservoir. These man-made structures may be obstacles for fish trying to swim upstream. Some dams, including the Bonneville Dam, have installed fish ladders to help fish migrate. Fish ladders are a series of wide steps built on the side of the river and dam. The ladder allows fish to slowly swim upstream instead of being totally blocked by the dam.
Dams flood river banks, destroying wetland habitat for thousands of organisms. Aquatic birds such as cranes and ducks are often at risk, as well as plants that depend on the marshy habitat of a river bank. Operating the power plant may also raise the temperature of the water in the reservoir. Plants and animals near the dam have to adjust to this change or migrate
To harness energy from flowing water, the water must be controlled. A large reservoir is created, usually by damming a river to create an artificial lake, or reservoir. Water is channeled through tunnels in the dam.
The energy of water flowing through the dam's tunnels causes turbines to turn. The turbines make generators move. Generators are machines that produce electricity.
Hydroelectricity relies on water, which is a clean, renewable energy source. A renewable source of energy is one that will not run out. Renewable energy comes from natural sources, like wind, sunlight, rain, tides, and geothermal energy (the heat produced inside the Earth).Non-renewable energy sources include coal, oil, and natural gas.
Water is renewable because the water cycle is continually …show more content…
Boaters and water skiers can enjoy the lake. Many reservoirs are also stocked with fish. The area around a reservoir is often a protected natural space, allowing campers and hikers to enjoy the natural environment.
Using water as a source of energy is generally a safe environmental choice. It's not perfect, though. Hydroelectric power plants require a dam and a reservoir. These man-made structures may be obstacles for fish trying to swim upstream. Some dams, including the Bonneville Dam, have installed fish ladders to help fish migrate. Fish ladders are a series of wide steps built on the side of the river and dam. The ladder allows fish to slowly swim upstream instead of being totally blocked by the dam.
Dams flood river banks, destroying wetland habitat for thousands of organisms. Aquatic birds such as cranes and ducks are often at risk, as well as plants that depend on the marshy habitat of a river bank. Operating the power plant may also raise the temperature of the water in the reservoir. Plants and animals near the dam have to adjust to this change or migrate