How Dams Work (Hydro Dams)

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In this video we’re going to look at how dams work. We will look at all the main components of a dam, and the advantages and disadvantages associated with this type of hydro power plant.
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▶️Introduction
Humans have been harnessing the power of water for thousands of years. The potential energy of water has been used to drive mills, rotate pumps and for numerous other applications. However, converting the potential energy of water to electrical energy, is a relatively new concept.
To generate electricity using a hydro dam, you need two things, an abundance of water and an elevation difference between the outlet and inlet sides of the dam; this difference in elevation is referred to as the ‘head’.
The headwater is located upstream of the dam and the tailwater downstream; the dam separates the headwater and tailwater. The headwater consists of a large body of water, this ensures a constant supply of water can be used for power generation. A water conductor known as a penstock connects the headwater to the power house at the base of the dam. The powerhouse contains all the equipment needed to turn the potential energy of water into electrical energy.
Let’s now have a look at how we generate electricity using a hydro dam.
How Hydro Dams Work
Water enters the penstocks through one of the main inlets. The water then travels down through the penstocks until reaching the hydroelectric turbines located within the powerhouse. As the water passes over each turbine runner, the runners rotate, and we obtain mechanical energy. The mechanical energy from the turbine runners is passed to an electrical generator, which is connected on a common shaft. We have now converted the water’s potential energy into electrical energy and can distribute this through a transformer and high voltage national grid. To end the process, the water flows from the powerhouse through the draft tubes until reaching the tailwater. The entire process is continuous, which leads to a constant and reliable form of power generation.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
Hydroelectric dams:
1. Offer a constant and reliable form of power generation providing enough head water is present.
2. Represent a renewable (green) form of energy and produce no waste products.
3. Are very efficient compared to other power generation means.
4. Cheap to operate.
5. Have a long working service life (some hydroelectric plants are over 100 years old!).
Disadvantages
Hydroelectric dams:
1. Can disrupt local habitats considerably due to the large changes needed to create the conditions required by the dam. These adverse effects are felt by both plants and animals alike; this is by far the largest disadvantage associated with hydro dams.
2. Expensive to construct (high initial costs).
3. Risk of failure. Unfortunately the risk of failure is not always small and the consequences can be catastrophic.
Regardless of the advantages and disadvantages associated with dams, these enormous man-made structures are likely to remain as part of our scenery for decades to come.
Sources
www.energy.gov...
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