WATER ENERGY (HYDRO, TIDAL, WAVE)

Description, history, facts, trivia

What is water energy?

Water energy is energy derived from the power of water, most often its motion. Energy
sources using water have been around for thousands of years in the form of water clocks and
waterwheels. A more recent innovation has been hydroelectricity, or the electricity produced by
the flow of water over dams. In the twenty-first century scientists are developing water-based
applications ranging from tidal power to thermal power.

Facts about hydropower:

1. Hydropower is one of the oldest power sources on the planet, generating power when
flowing water spins a wheel or turbine.

2. It was used by farmers as far back as ancient Greece for mechanical tasks like grinding grain.

3. Hydropower is also a renewable energy source and produces no air pollution or toxic.

Facts of Tidal and Wave energy:

1. Tidal turbines are more expensive to build and maintain than wind turbines, but produce
more energy. They also produce energy more consistently as the tide is continuous while the
wind doesn't always blow.

2. Wave and tidal energy converters are located near the coastline. It is easier to install,
maintain, capture the energy, and retrieve the energy when they are located close to the coast.

3. The United States has no tidal power plants.

4. There are two existing large tidal barrages in the world today. One is in France and the other
in Canada.

Trivia about water energy

1. Hydropower is one of the oldest power sources on the planet, generating power when
flowing water spins a wheel or turbine. It was used by farmers as far back as ancient Greece for
mechanical tasks like grinding grain. Hydropower is also a renewable energy source and
produces no air pollution or toxic byproducts.

2. Niagara Falls was the site of the country’s first hydroelectric generating facility -- built in 1881
when Charles Brush connected a generator to turbines powered by the falls and used the
electricity to power nighttime lighting for visiting tourists. America’s first commercial
hydropower facility was built in 1882 in Appleton, Wisconsin -- powering lighting for a paper mill
and multiple homes.
Different Types, kinds, classifications (COMPLETE)

Classification of Hydro Plants

1. Hydropower

Hydropower, also known as water power or hydroelectric power, is a renewable source of

energy that generates power by using a dam or diversion structure to alter the natural flow of a river or
other body of water. Hydropower relies on the endless, constantly recharging system of the water cycle
to produce electricity, using a fuel—water—that is not reduced or eliminated in the process.
Hydropower utilizes turbines and generators to convert that kinetic energy into electricity, which is then
fed into the electrical grid to power homes, businesses, and industries.

Types of Hydropower plants

1. Impoundment Facilities

An impoundment facility, typically a large hydropower system, uses a dam to store river
water in a reservoir. Water released from the reservoir flows through a turbine, spinning it,
which in turn activates a generator to produce electricity. The water may be released either to
meet changing electricity needs or to maintain a constant reservoir level.

2. Diversion/Run of River Facilities

In run of river systems, running water is diverted from a flowing river and guided down a
channel, or penstock, which leads to a generating house. There the force of the moving water
spins a turbine and drives a generator. The water is feedback into the main river further
downstream. The difference between run-of-river and large hydropower is that run of river
systems do not dam the river to create a water reservoir. Most run of river facilities do use a
small dam, or weir, to ensure enough water enters the penstock and have a small reservoir
called pondage to store small amounts of water for same-day use. However, they cannot store
large amounts of water for future use.

3. Pumped-Storage Facilities

A flexible, dynamic, efficient and green way to store and deliver large quantities of
electricity, pumped-storage hydro plants store and generate energy by moving water between
two reservoirs at different elevations. During times of low electricity demand, such as at night or
on weekends, excess energy is used to pump water to an upper reservoir. The turbine acts as a
pump, moving water back uphill. During periods of high electricity demand, the stored water is
released through turbines.

A pumped-storage plant works much like a conventional hydroelectric station, except

the same water can be used over and over again. Water power uses no fuel in the generation of
electricity, making for very low operating costs.

2. Tidal Energy

Tidal energy is produced by the surge of ocean waters during the rise and fall of tides. Tidal
energy is a renewable source of energy. During the 20th century, engineers developed ways to use tidal
movement to generate electricity in areas where there is a significant tidal range—the difference in area
between high tide and low tide. All methods use special generators to convert tidal energy into
electricity.

Types of Tidal energy

1. Tidal Barrage Power

Tidal barrage power systems take advantage of difference between high tides and low
tides by using a “barrage,” or type of dam, to block receding water during ebb periods. At low
tide, water behind the barrage is released, and the water passes through a turbine that
generates electricity.

2. Tidal Stream Power

Tidal stream power systems take advantage of ocean currents to drive turbines,
particularly in areas around islands or coasts where these currents are fast. They can be installed
as tidal fences—where turbines are stretched across a channel—or as tidal turbines, which
resemble underwater wind turbines.

3. Dynamic Tidal Power

Dynamic tidal power is a technology that uses the difference between the potential
energy and kinetic energy of tides. Long dams are built from coasts straight-out into the sea or
ocean—meaning that the tides in the areas where these systems might be implemented usually
flow parallel to their respective coasts. During the movement of tides, water on one side of the
dam is at a higher level than the other side. As this water flows through the dam, it drives a
series of turbines installed within the dam and generates electricity.

3. Wave Energy

Wave energy (or wave power) is the transport and capture of energy by ocean surface waves. The
energy captured is then used for all different kinds of useful work, including electricity generation, water
desalination, and pumping of water. Wave energy is also a type of renewable energy and is the largest
estimated global resource form of ocean energy.

Types of Wave Energy

1. Absorbers

Absorbers extract energy from the rise and fall of the waves with a buoy. Once the
energy is extracted it is then converted to electrical energy with a linear or rotarygenerator.

2. Attenuators

Attenuators capture energy by being placed perpendicular to the length of the wave,
this causes the attenuator to contentiously flex where segments are connected. This connection
is then connected to hydraulic pumps which convert the energy.

3. Oscillation Water Columns (OWC)

 Oscillation Water Columns (OWC) is a partially submerged enclosed structure. The
upper part of the structure, above the water, is filled with air and incoming waves are funneled
into the bottom part of the structure. When these waves come through the structure it causes
the water column to rise and fall with the wave which causes the air in the top structure to
pressurize and depressurize. this in turn pushes and pulls air through a connected air turbine at
the top of the structure, converting the energy.

Amount of energy converted (KW, MW, etc.)

Top installations and locations

Pros and Cons (COMPLETE)

Advantages

1. It’s Good for the Environment

Although hydroelectric energy does have some disadvantages, it is one of the most
environmentally friendly forms of energy production available to us today. It does not use any
fossil fuels, nor does it produce any harmful emissions, and it also provides a steady supply of
clean energy.

2. It’s a Renewable Resource

One of the main advantages of hydro energy is that water is nearly everywhere and can be used
to produce hydroelectric energy. Because of the water cycle, it is a renewable resource that
doesn’t run out—allowing us to conserve limited and non-renewable resources for other uses.

3. It’s Reliable and Highly Efficient

One of the biggest pros of hydroelectric energy is that it is one of the most efficient energy
resources in the world. Consider that solar power is only a maximum of 30-36% efficient, wind
power only 25-45% efficient, and coal power is only 33-40% efficient. All of these methods pale
in comparison to hydro energy, which is up to 90% efficient at converting water into electricity.

4. It’s Flexible

Unlike other forms of power like solar, wind, or coal, hydroelectric energy is constant. The flow
of water to produce energy can easily be altered to meet supply demands. This means that
electricity can be made available when it’s needed, which reduces energy waste.

5. It’s Safe

Compared to many other forms of energy production, dams that produce hydro energy have
been fairly safe over the years. Most issues or problems that have occurred are the result of
poor construction and low safety standards in older dams. Another advantage of hydroelectric
energy in this situation is that there is no combustible fuel involved, lowering the risks
associated with fossil fuels or nuclear energy.
Disadvantages

1. It Has an Environmental Impact

Perhaps the largest disadvantage of hydroelectric energy is the impact it can have on the
environment. Dams can damage or otherwise impact the environment both upstream and
downstream through their construction process during the formation of the dam. To build a
dam, new roads and power lines must be installed that disrupt the environment. Dams also
often form reservoirs that flood large areas and displace natural habitats. When dams flood
areas, it creates sections of still or stagnant water that kills vegetation which emits greenhouse
gasses as it rots. This is especially true in humid and tropical environments.

2. It’s Expensive

Another disadvantage of hydroelectric energy is the expense required to build a dam in the first
place. Although they don’t cost much to operate, the time it takes for a dam to pay for itself can
vary widely. Some dams take two to five years to construct, while others like the Itapúa Dam in
Brazil and Paraguay can take significantly longer, leading to increased costs.

3. There are Limited Reservoirs

Although water is an unlimited resource, the conditions necessary to build a dam are limited.
This is a disadvantage of hydroelectric energy because it means you cannot simply build a dam
anywhere you please. In fact, most locations that are suitable for building hydroelectric dams
have already been used for this purpose. Another factor to consider is that even if a location
could support a hydroelectric dam, it may not generate enough profit to make the project
worthwhile.

4. There are Droughts

When weighing the advantages and disadvantages of hydroelectric energy, it’s important to
take into consideration the fact that water can and does go through cycles of abundance and
drought. Lower than normal water levels can heavily impact energy production and is a
disadvantage of hydroelectric energy.
Pictures and infographics

Sample Problems (at least two) COMPLETE

Example 1:

A wave in a seashore travel with a height of 5 m. Determine the wave energy density.

Given:

Wave energy density formula

Wave height, H = 5 m,

Water density, ρ = 999.97 kg/m3,

Gravity, g = 9.8 m/s2

Solution:

E = 999.97 × 9.8 × 25 / 16

E = 15312 J

Example 2:

A huge wave travels with the energy of 8000 J. Determine its wave height.

Given:

Wave energy, E = 8000J

Water density, ρ = 999.97 kg/m3

Gravity, g = 9.8 m/s2

Solution:

H = √16E / ρg

= √16 x 8000 /(999.97 x 9.8)

H = 357.7/9799.70

The wave height of the wave is 0.0365m