Running head: HYDROELECTRIC POWER DAMS 1

How hydroelectric dams produce electricity

Name

Institution
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The hydroelectric power dams basically refer to the large man-made water reservoirs

which are used in production of electricity. A power source is utilized to turn a turbine, which at

that point turns a metal shaft in an electric generator. The electric generator is the engine that

produces power. The electricity production plant utilizes falling water to turn the turbine. The

principle is to create a dam on a huge waterway that has an expansive drop in height. The dam

stores loads of water behind it in the repository. Close to the base of the dam, there is the water

entrance. Due to the large height which the water is made to fall through, there exists a large

effect of gravity through which water falls freely through the penstock inside the dam and

towards the bottom. Toward the end of the penstock there is a turbine propeller. The turbine

propeller is turned by the moving water as water falls into it by gravity. The turbine has a shaft

which connects it to the generator. As the turbine rotates, the shaft is rotated with equal rotational

magnitude. The rotation is transmitted to the electricity generator which produces electricity in

the same way a bicycle dynamo works to produce power, albeit with water as the source of

energy instead of mechanical energy in the case of a bicycle dynamo. After the generator

produces electricity, the power is transmitted through electric cables which are connected to the

power station plant. The water proceeds past the propeller through the tailrace into the stream

past the dam. The working of the power generator is explained in terms of pressure and the

changes it has on the turbines and the hydraulic effect. A hydraulic turbine changes over the

energy of free flowing water, usually kinetic energy into mechanical energy. A hydroelectric

generator then changes over this mechanical energy into electricity. (Kershaw, 2004)

The functioning of the hydroelectric generator is based on the principle of transmittance

and magnetic properties discovered by Faraday. He found out that when a magnet is moved past

a transmitter, it causes generation of electric current, making electricity to flow through the poles
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in the opposite direction or perpendicular to the magnetic field. In an expansive generator,

electromagnets are made by flowing direct current through circles of wire twisted around heaps

of magnetic steel overlays. These are known as field poles, and are mounted on the edge of the

rotor. The rotor is appended to the turbine shaft, and pivots at a settled speed. At the point when

the rotor turns, it causes the field posts to move past the conductors mounted in the stator. He

results is that a current flows and electricity is generated. Voltage also develops at the terminals

of the generator. In so doing, electricity is produced, ready for transmission.

Next in the process of generation electricity by hydroelectric power dams lies in

transmission to the main center and finally to homes, industries and buildings in general. The

final process involves collection of the various electricity power from the dam. The power is then

channeled into the main center, stepped up into higher voltage and then transmitted through

cables ready for use at homes and other places.

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References

Kershaw, Charles H. "Combustion-driven hydroelectric generating system with closed loop

control." U.S. Patent No. 6,739,131. 25 May 2004.