Hydropower Lab Report

1/23 LL Attendees:
Gabriella Joslin
Jenna Ruedy
Ethan Mansfield
Tavoniele Henderson
Megan Gray
Jose Leon
Isabella Gonzalez
Samuel Almonte

Instructions: In this lab activity, you will investigate the operation of a simple hydropower
system coupled with a wind generator and a gasoline back-up generator. You will test two
independent variables: Upper Tank Capacity and Pump Limit. You will run three trials for each
test. Use this lab report to collect data and analyze your results. Submit your lab report to your
instructor when completed.

Title: LL Hydropower Lab

Objective(s): Investigate a hydropower system with a wind generator and gasoline back-up
generator by testing upper tank capacity and pump limit.

Variables:

The variables are described in detail in your virtual lab activity. Be sure to read these
descriptions in the virtual lab before completing this section.

List your controlled variables, independent variable, and dependent variable of each test of the
lab activity. Remember, controlled variables are factors that remain the same throughout the
experiment. An independent (test) variable changes so that the experimenter can see the effect on
other variables. The dependent (outcome) variable will change in response to the test variable.

Test 1 Test 2
Controlled variables Initial water level and initial Initial water level and initial
gas level. gas level
Independent variable Upper tank capacity Pump limit
Dependent variable Gas usage rate Gas usage rate

Hypothesis:

Complete the predictions below. Each test has three dependent variables that may change in
reaction to the independent variable, but you are only required to predict the change in the gas
usage rate.

Prediction 1: If we increase the upper tank capacity of the water, the gas usage rate will
Decrease.

Prediction 2: If we increase the pump limit, the gas usage rate will decrease.

Procedure:

Access the virtual lab and complete the procedures described. Provide a brief summary of the
steps you followed during the experimental procedure.

• Write title and objective.

2) Identify the variables and make a prediction

4) Conclusion

Materials:

Hydropower Virtual Lab

Data *TO THE NEAREST WHOLE NUMBER:

Table 1: Upper Tank Capacity and Gas Usage

  Upper Tank Capacity Gas Usage Water Level Wind Output Consumption

Trial 1 6 kWh  0+0+0+3+9  17+35+41+  9+18+19+22+  3+7+12+20+

+14+23+23 41+41+41+ 27+30+34+46 29+52+58=
=72 41+50= =205 181
72/8=9 kWh 307/8=38 205/8=26 181/8=23
kWh kWh kWh
Trial 2 8 kWh  0+0+0+0+6  19+41+54+ 10+18+20+23  4+8+12+20+
+12+21+21 +58+58+58+ +27+30+35+4 29+39+52+56
=60 58+67= 413 7=210 =220
60/8=8 413/8=52 210/8=26 220/8=28
kWh kWh kWh kWh
Trial 3 12 kWh  0+0+0+0+  18+45+64+  10+19+20+23  2+7+13+20+2
5+10+20+20 74+75+75+ +26+30+32+4 9+39+52+57=
=55 75+85 6= 206 219
55/8=7 kWh 511/8=64 206/8= 26 219/8=27
kWh kWh_12 kWh

Table 2: Pump Limit and Gas Usage

  Pump Limit Gas Usage Water Level Wind Output Consumption

Trial 1  2 kWh  0+0+0+0+5+  19+41+54+58  9+18+19+23+2 3+8+12+20+

11+21+21= 58 +58+58+58+66 6+30+34+45= 29+51+58=181
=412
58/8=7 kWh 204/8=26 kWh 181/8=23 kWh
412/8=52

Trial 2  1 kWh  0+0+0+0+7+1  15+38+50+55  9+18+19+22+2 4+7+13+20+29+

2+22+22=63 +55+55+55+60 7+30+34+45= 39+53+56=221
=383 204
63/8= 8 kWh 221/8=27
383/8= 48kWh 204/8=25 kWh
Trial 3  0 kWh  0+0+2+5+  9+18+19+19+  9+18+19+22+ 3+6+12+20+29+
11+17+26+26 19+19+19+19 25+30+32+45 39+53+56=218
=87
=141 =200 218/8=27
87/8=11
141/8=18 kWh 200/8=25 kWh
 kWh

Conclusion:

Write a conclusion statement that addresses the following questions:

• Describe how gas usage, water level, wind output, and consumption were affected by
changes in upper tank capacity.
• Describe how gas usage, water level, wind output, and consumption were affected by
changes in pump limits.
• Does your data support or fail to support your hypotheses (include examples)?

(WRITE CONCLUSION HERE)

As Upper tank compacity increased, gas usage decreased. Same thing happens
with water but wind stays the sane the entire time. comsumption increased
with the upper tank campacity but then decreased. As as pump limits
decrease, gas usage increased meaning that if we increase the pump limit it
should decrease gas usage. Water level decrease as pump limit decreases. wind
output decreses but then stays the same. for consumption instead of decreases
it increases and then stays the same.
Post-Lab Reflection Questions

Answer the reflection questions, using what you have learned from the lesson and your
experimental data. It will be helpful to refer to your class notes. Answer questions in complete
sentences.

• Compare and contrast the different forms of energy that are represented in this lab.
different energy forms are hydroelectricity, wind energy, and natural gas. hydroelectric and wind
energy are both renewable since wind energy uses turbines spinng to do wind and hydropower
using water and doesnt release emissions but natural gas does have emissions. therefore natural
gas is not renewable but hydropower and wind energy is renewable
• How is energy generated in this lab simulation? Describe the process.
for wind power, wind turbines constantly spin because of wind propelling it. this movement
creates energy.
• Analyze the overall energy consumption in a 24-hour period for all trials. Which trial
exhibited the least gas usage with the most output from hydropower? (Hint: High water
levels represent stored potential energy for hydropower use.)
upper tank capacity trial for 12 kWh uses 7 kWh for gas and the comsuption is 27 kWh. the
water is 64 kWh so its has this trial has the most water level so it has high stored potential energy
for hydropower use.
• Explain how the energy system depicted in the lab minimizes the use of non-renewable
energy consumption.
there wasnt much gas used in the simulation since the generater uses 3 types of energy and the
majority (hydroelectric and wind energy) are renewable so there was much use for gas.
• Describe the pros and cons for the use of hydroelectric power.
Pros: Its renewable, good for the enviroment, and makes a lot of energy
Cons: prevents fish migraton, its expensive, there are also limited resevoirs