The land offers us renewable and non -renewable resources with which energy can be generated. For example, did you know that electric energy can be generated with water? In addition, it is a renewable resource that occupies 70% of the planet’s surface and is of special importance for the operation of this and the living beings that inhabit it.
If you want to know more about hydraulic energy, or also called hydroelectric energy, know how the centrals that produce it and also know in detail some examples of hydroelectric plants. Continue reading this Ecology Verde article in which we talk about What is hydraulic energy and examples.
What is hydraulic energy
The Hydraulic energy It is part of one of the oldest energies, which with the advancement of technology has been advancing to be increasingly efficient. It is part of Renewable energies And it is the one that generates the greatest electricity in the world. Here we explain much more about whether the hydraulic energy is really renewable or not?
To generate this energy it is used The movement of water flowing through the rivers and other bodies of water. In general, this movement, which is what is known as the kinetic energy of the water, occurs with the fall of water, that is why the areas to locate the plants have to present unevenness. Water falling moves a turbine that generates the electrical energy which will be injected directly to the electricity grid.
How hydraulic energy and types of hydroelectric plants work
The operation will depend on the hydroelectric plant model and these vary according to the place where they are located. Taking this into account, we find that there are three Types of hydroelectric plants And this is the Hydraulic energy operation In these:
Flowing water plants
They are located on land that do not have much unevenness, and do not have reservoir. The river flow must be stable to ensure the power required for the whole year. In times of abundant rainfall, maximum power is generated and in dry times, the power is lower, sometimes zero for a complete drought of some rivers.
Reservoir plants
These centrals have more than one dam to store water. They are central that need greater economic investment, but they have the advantage that, being able to accumulate water, in times of drought despite the fact that the river dries completely, it can resort to stored water and continue generating energy.
Pumping or reversible plants
In these found two reservoirs that are located at different levels and rationalizes water resources since, depending on the time of day, the demand for energy of greater or lesser. When the demand is high, the water falls from the reservoir that is located at the upper level causing the turbine turn, and this water is stored in the lower reservoir. However, when the demand is lower there is a pumping towards the upper reservoir so that the energy generation cycle occurs again.
After knowing all this, we believe that it is interesting to also discover what it is and how minihydraulic energy works with this other post.
Examples of hydraulic energy and its centrals
We will mention some of the hydroelectric plants that are located throughout the world as examples of hydraulic energy:
- Robert Moses Niágara Power Plant Hydroelectric Power Plant: It is located in the Niagara cataracts taking advantage of the great waterfall in these, this central was the first to be built worldwide.
- Salime reservoir: This reservoir is in Spain, exactly in the city and Asturias. It is supplied with the Navia River and it is true that the riverbed was necessary to change it. There are 350 GWH per year that produces for the population.
- Dam of the three throats: Surely the name of this dam you have ever heard, as it is the largest hydroelectric power plant that produces a great power of 24000MW. It is located in China and feeds on the Yangtsé River. It was completed in 2012, although 19 cities and some towns were flooded with the problem of having to evacuate all its inhabitants.
- Itaipú dam: This project is led by Brazil and Paraguay since it is located on the border where the Paraná River passes. It generates up to 14000MW and it was in 1984 when it started its operation.
- Xilodu dam: This is also found in China, on the Jinsha River, it has the capacity to produce up to 13860 MW of electricity, but also controls the channel to prevent flooding, as well as to make navigation easier.
- Yacyretá-Appipid dam: It is located in an area that belongs to Argentina and Paraguay, on the Paraná River as well as the Xilodu dam. From all the energy that Argentina demands 22% comes from this dam with a power of 3100MW. This dam brought too many controversies, as it was a great impact for the biodeversity of the area, causing the extinction of endemic species.
Although it is true that hydroelectric plants have great advantages, there are still some disadvantages such as the impact on biodiversity that belongs to the territory where they are built, or that can cause the flood of nearby populations. It makes it produce this energy, it is not entirely sustainable, even if it comes from a renewable resource. In this other ecology article, you can learn about the advantages and disadvantages of hydraulic energy.
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