Water is the most important fluid that exists on Earth and offers us amount of resources and services. Water has allowed the development of life, has contributed to climate regulation and also provides us with energy. Energy is another of the most necessary resources for the human being since without it, we would not have electricity or heat, for example. Perhaps the best known energy form of water is hydraulic or hydroelectric energy, however, it is obtained from other energies, What are kinetic and potential energies. In this ecology article, we will deepen in explaining What is the kinetic energy of water in order to better understand the importance of water as an energy resource.
What is energy: simple definition
First of all, we have to know what energy is. Energy is understood as the ability of an object to do a job and to transfer heat. In turn, the work corresponds to the effort to be done to move an object or a substance in a certain distance. But, as we talked at the beginning, energy is also heat and, therefore, energy can also be defined as the heat flow that moves from an object or a substance that is hot towards another colder.
The energy It can be found in many ways, such as light, heat, electricity, chemical energy and/or mechanical energy. The latter is based on the movement of matter and is usually defined as the sum of the Kinetic and potential energies. The flow of water is a clear example of this mechanical energy and will we see what the kinetic energy and potential energy of water consists of.
What are the kinetic energy of water and potential energy
The kinetic energy It is about the energy associated with any body that is in motion. To calculate the kinetic energy, it must be taken into account that its calculation depends on both the mass and the velocity of the body. Therefore, knowing this general definition of kinetic energy, we could define the Kinetic Water Energy as that energy that comes from its movement or flow. The greater the volume (and mass) of water and the greater its speed, the greater its kinetic energy.
However, there is another form of energy that is closely related to kinetic energy, and that is the potential energy. This potential energy is simply the energy that can potentially be transformed into another form of energy, normally kinetic. In other words, potential energy is one that is stored in a body and can be used.
While water has kinetic energy, there is also the Potential Water Energy. The potential energy of water is one that is stored in a body of water and that is transformed into kinetic energy when it begins to flow. Potential energy depends largely on the height, therefore, those bodies of water that are at a higher height have greater potential energy. In this way, those bodies of water that are in throats or have cataracts have greater potential energy and if water also flows greater kinetic energy.
How hydraulic energy or potential and kinetic energy of water works
As we have explained the Kinetic Water Energy It can be used when it flows or moves. Therefore, this energy can be used in the execution of processes such as moving a turbine. On the other hand, to take advantage of the greatest possible kinetic energy, maximum potential energy is also needed. In this principle it is based Hydraulic energy and for this it is necessary to build dams. Dams and reservoirs also allow water to store and thus have it for consumption and other activities such as agriculture.
For make the most of hydraulic energy Two important factors must be taken into account:
- The flow.
- The height of the water jump.
The dams serve to regulate the flow depending on the time of the year and also to increase the jump of water and thus the potential energy.
For produce electrical energythe dam opens and part of the stored water is dropped, thus turning the potential energy into kinetic energy. The water that falls moves a turbine that is linked to an electric power generator. Thus, it is achieved that the water that passes through the turbines at high speed causes the rotation movement of the turbines generating electricity. In this way, electricity occurs from the kinetic (and potential) energy of water.
There are other ways to increase the height of water drop. One of them is to derive river water by a small slope channel (less than the riverbed). Thus, with this technique a major unevenness is achieved between the channel and the riverbed. On the other hand, in many countries (especially in developing countries) small centrals have been installed, with low powers, but that allow sufficient electricity production to feed small regions. This is the case of China or Costa Rica where these little dams are the main source of electricity. This miniaturized form of hydraulic energy is known as energy minihydraulics and is considered more respectful of the environment.
In this other ecology article, we talk to you more about how hydraulic energy works, specifically what is and how hydraulic energy works.
Hydraulic Energy: Advantages and Disadvantages
The hydraulic energy obtained from the kinetic energy of water and potential has advantages and disadvantages, like all.
Advantages of hydraulic energy
- It is considered a renewable and clean energy.
- Very stable energy production.
- Flexible production thanks to the flow of water.
- Sure energy, contrary to other non -renewable, such as nuclear energy.
Disadvantages of hydraulic energy
- It depends on the rains and the thaws, as well as that there are no great droughts.
- The places for installation are limited.
- Initial Initial Investment.
- It has environmental impact, more specifically on the landscape.
In this other article of the advantages and disadvantages of hydraulic energy we talk to you more thoroughly on this topic.
If you want to read more articles similar to What is the kinetic energy of waterwe recommend that you enter our category of renewable energy.
