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Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Hydroelectricity

Krasnoyarsk hydroelectric power station in Russia
Source: Flickr
Image: Vladimir Korolev

Electricity generated by using the gravitational force of falling or flowing water is known as hydroelectricity, and is the most widely used form of renewable energy in the world. Hydroelectric power plants convert this kinetic energy into electricity by forcing water through a hydraulic turbine connected to a generator. Once through the turbine, the water then returns to the body of water below the dam.

Craigside
Source: Flickr
Image: Peter-Ashley Jackson

In 1868, the country home of Lord Armstrong in the civil parish of Cartington in Northumberland, England became the first house in the world to be lit using hydroelectric power. A hydraulic engine was installed at Cragside, which powered a hydraulic lift, laundry equipment and a rotisserie. In 1878, a Siemens Dynamo electric generator was installed and powered carbon rod arc lamps in the gallery. The electricity generated by the dynamo traveled along a double lone of Birmingham No.1 gauge copper wire supported by telegraph poles the 1500 yards to the house. Electricity was diverted from this line to a joiner's shop where it ran a sewing machine during the day. In 1880, the arc lamps were replaced by Joseph Swan's incandescent lamps. Swan considered this the first 'proper installation' of electric lighting. The farm buildings were also powered by the generators. 

Cragside in Northumberland, England
Source: Flickr
Image: Gail

Cragside, named after Cragend Hill above the house, has been in the care of the National Trust since 1977. Built in 1863, it began as a modest two-story country lodge and grew into an elaborate Free Tudor style mansion. At its peak of grandeur the home even included an astronomical observatory and a scientific laboratory, but it was the harnessing of hydroelectric power that will always be its claim to fame.

Burfell hydroelectric power station in Iceland
Source: Flickr
Image: Terry Feuerborn

Hydroelectric plants fall into two categories: large commercial, typically utilizing a dam, and micro turbine, which may be installed on a small stream with an adequate change in elevation to compensate for less water. Hydropower is heavily dependent upon precipitation and elevation changes. Therefore, the mountainous Pacific Northwest is much more conducive to highly productive hydroelectric plants than flatter areas, even along major waterways.

Rally by Klamath Basin Tribes to restore a salmon run
Source: Flickr
Image: Patrick McCully

Hydropower has little to no reported air quality impacts, but hydropower dams have an impact on wildlife populations and can cause habitat fragmentation of surrounding areas. Above, Klamath Basin tribes and allies from the commercial fishing and conservation organizations call for the removal of PacifiCorp's four Klamath River dams to restore salmon runs. Hydroelectric structures can be disruptive to surrounding aquatic ecosystems both upstream and downstream. Salmon are often prevented access to spawning grounds. Salmon spawn can also be harmed during their migration when they must pass through turbines. Dam failures have created some of the largest man-made disasters in history. In 1975, a series of dams in the Henan Province of China resulted in more casualties than any other dam failure in history. 171,000 people lost their lives and 11 million people lost their homes.

La Colle Falls Hydroelectric Dam in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
Source: Flickr
Image: Jordon Cooper

In 1909, construction began on the La Colle Falls hydroelectric dam in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. However, in 1913 the project was abandoned due to technical difficulties and high costs. To date, it has cost close to 3 million dollars and nearly bankrupted the city. However, when all goes as planned, especially in developing nations, hydroelectric dams can provide an economical source of energy without the purchase of fuel. 







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