ENERGÍA HIDRÁULICA

STUDENT:
SANDRA PRISCILLA
2-733-1662

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 Specialized University of the Americas

Santiago Headquarters

Faculty of Biosciences and Public Health

School of Public Health

Department of Occupational and Environmental Public Health

Lic. Occupational Health and Safety

VIII semester LA

Subject: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY II

Topic: Hydraulic energy

Students:

SANDRA PRISCILLA 2-733-1662

Teacher:

JULIÁN GONZÁLEZ Q.

Delivery date: 8/15/2018

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Introduction

In this report we will be making known what hydraulic energies consist of, their
components, characteristics, advantages and disadvantages.

Hydraulic energy is based on taking advantage of the fall of water from a certain
height. Potential energy, during the fall, is converted into kinetic energy. The water
passes through the turbines at high speed, causing a rotation movement that is
finally transformed into electrical energy through the generators. It is a natural
resource available in areas that have sufficient water, and once used, it is returned
downstream. Its development requires building swamps, dams, diversion canals,
and the installation of large turbines and equipment to generate electricity. All of
this involves the investment of large sums of money, which is why it is not
competitive in regions where coal or oil are cheap. However, the weight of
environmental considerations and the low maintenance they require once they are
in operation focus attention on this energy source.

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Index

History of Hydraulic Power.............................................................................................................3

Hydraulic power...............................................................................................................................6
Types of Hydroelectric Power Plants..............................................................................................9
Advantages and disadvantages of hydropower............................................................................11
Advantages of hydropower...................................................................................................12
Disadvantages of hydropower.............................................................................................12
Environmental impact of hydropower..........................................................................................13
Conclusions.....................................................................................................................................29

History of Hydraulic Power

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The first modern hydroelectric power station was built in 1880 in Northumberland,
Great Britain. The renaissance of hydraulic power occurred due to the
development of the electric generator, followed by the perfection of the hydraulic
turbine and due to the increase in demand for electricity in the early 20th century.
In 1920, hydroelectric plants already generated an important part of production
total electricity.

First Hydroelectric power station, built in 1880 in Northumberland,

Great Britain.

In the early 1990s, the first hydroelectric power producing powers were Canada
and the United States. Canada obtains 60% of its electricity from hydroelectric
plants. Worldwide, this type of energy represents approximately a quarter of total
electricity production, and its importance continues to increase. The countries in
which it is the most important source of electricity are Norway (99%), Zaire (97%)
and Brazil (96%). The Itaipu power plant, on the Paraná River, is located between
Brazil and Paraguay; It was inaugurated in 1982 and has the largest generating
capacity in the world. For reference, the Grand Coulee dam in the United States
generates about 6,500 MW and is one of the largest.

In some countries, small plants have been installed, with the capacity to generate
between one kilowatt and one megawatt. In many regions of China, for example,
these small dams are the main source of electricity. Other developing nations are

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using this system with good results. In Euskadi, because the rivers have a short
course and do not carry significant flows, there are quite a few mini hydraulic
power plants. In the rest of Spain there are problems of water shortage and dams
have been built for irrigation. They have subsequently been used to generate
energy, and currently we have a significant fraction of hydroelectric energy
installed.

Alloz Vault Dam The ancient Romans and Greeks already took advantage of the
energy of water; They used water wheels to grind wheat. However, the possibility
of using slaves and pack animals delayed its widespread application until the 12th
century. During the Middle Ages, large wooden waterwheels developed a
maximum power of fifty horsepower. Hydroelectric power owes its further
development to the British civil engineer John Smeaton, who first built large cast
iron water wheels.

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Ancient water wheel Hydroelectricity was very important during the Industrial
Revolution. It promoted the textile and leather industries and machine-building
workshops in the early 19th century. Although steam engines were already
perfected, coal was scarce and wood unsatisfactory as fuel. Hydropower helped
the growth of new industrial cities that were created in Europe and America until
the construction of canals in the mid-19th century, which provided cheap coal.

Dams and canals were necessary for the installation of successive water wheels
when the difference in level was greater than five meters. The construction of large
check dams was not yet possible; The low flow of water during the summer and
autumn, together with the frosts in winter, forced the water wheels to be replaced
by steam engines as soon as coal became available.

In 1920, hydroelectric plants already generated an important part of the total

electricity production. The technology of the main facilities has remained the same
during the 20th century.

Hydraulic power

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Hydraulic energy, hydraulic energy is that which is obtained from the use of the
kinetic and potential energy of the water current, waterfalls or tides.

It can be transformed to very different scales. For centuries, there have been small
farms in which the current of a river, with a small dam, moves a paddle wheel and
generates a movement applied, for example, in rural mills. However, the most
significant use is constituted by dam hydroelectric plants.

It is generally considered a type of renewable energy since it does not emit

polluting products. However, it produces a great environmental impact due to the
construction of dams, which flood large areas of land and modify the flow of the
river and the quality of the water.

The most characteristic elements of a power plant are:

 The prey.
 The water pipes.
 The engine room.
 The transformers.
 Distribution park

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They can be classified under various arguments, such as technical characteristics,
settlement peculiarities and operating conditions. First of all, we must distinguish
those that use water as it normally flows through the bed of a river, and those
others to which it reaches, suitably regulated, from a lake or swamp. They are
called:

- Flowing water plants.

- Reservoired water plants.

- Regulation Centers.

- Pumping Plants.

Depending on the height of the waterfall or existing unevenness:

- High Pressure Plants.

- Medium Pressure Plants.

- Low Pressure Plants.

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Types of Hydroelectric Power Plants

Man, from the beginning of electricity with the Edison bulb until today where
everything or almost everything in our homes works with electricity, has been
dependent on its use, which is why he has always tried to ensure that said
electricity has the greatest possible reach. that pleases our requirements, that it is
not constantly interrupted and last but not least that the way in which it is produced
is not polluting, which is why hydroelectric plants are considered the best or one of
the best forms of electrical energy production. and for this reason there are
different types of hydroelectric plants that derive from the needs of their builders or
possible users; as well as the characteristics of the terrain, that is, the relief and the
abundance or scarcity of water at the construction site as the most important
factors.

Therefore, there are different types of hydroelectric plants that are classified as
follows:

Due to its architectural conception; What this means is the proximity of the
plant to the dam and there are two types.

 Open-air plants : they are located at the foot of the dam, or relatively far
from it, and connected by means of a pressurized pipeline.
 Cavern power plants : they are generally connected to the reservoir
through tunnels, pressure pipes, or a combination of both.

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According to its flow regime; This is how plants are classified depending on
the flow of water they have or use.

1. Wastewater run-of-river plants, also called run-of-river or run-of-river

plants: use part of the flow of a river to generate electrical energy. They
operate continuously because they do not have the capacity to store water,
they do not have a reservoir. They turbine the water available at the time,
limited to the installed capacity. In these cases the turbines can be vertical
axis, when the river has a steep slope, or horizontal when the river slope is
low.

2. Reservoir power plants: this is the most common type of hydroelectric

power plant. They use a reservoir to reserve water and gradually regulate
the water that passes through the turbine. It is possible to generate energy
throughout the year if sufficient reserves are available. They require a larger
investment.

3. Pumped storage plants: this is a type of plant that only generates energy
during peak hours and consumes it during off-peak hours (nights and
weekends), using an electromechanical pumping and generation group.
They justify their existence to address variations in energy demand at
specific times.

We distinguish three types of power plants

1. Pure accumulation plants.

2. Mixed accumulation plants.
3. Differential pumping accumulation plants.

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There are other types of hydroelectric plants whose water sources are not
rivers but seas, among these we find:

1. Tidal power plants: they are recognized by the use of the ebb and flow of
the tides. They can be advantageous in coastal areas where there is a wide
tidal range, and the morphological conditions of the coast allow the
construction of a dam that cuts off the entry and exit of the tide in a bay.
Energy is generated both at the time of filling and at the time of emptying the
bay.

2. Submerged tidal power plants: these are those that use the energy of
underwater currents instead of the ebb of the tide. In 2002, the first of these
plants was implemented on an experimental scale in Great Britain.

3. Power plants that take advantage of the movement of waves: this type
of power plant has been the subject of research since the 1980s. The main
problem for these plants is the climate itself that makes them useful. These
types of plants are in the research stage until plants of this type can be
designed that can use energy from the sea without being destroyed.

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Advantages and disadvantages of hydropower

Advantages of hydropower

1.- Renewable energy

Hydroelectric energy is renewable. This means that we cannot exhaust it.

However, there are fewer and fewer places suitable for the construction of
hydroelectric plants and even fewer where these projects are truly profitable.

2.- Clean energy

The generation of electricity with hydroelectric plants is not polluting in itself. The
only pollution occurs in the construction process of the large power plants.

3.- Stable production

It is a very stable energy source. There is very little fluctuation in terms of power
plant production, unless there are changes in needs. It is usually used to guarantee
the minimum energy demand. If there is water in the dams, electricity can be
generated.

4.- Flexible

By adjusting the water flow, more or less electricity can be produced according to
demand. When demand is low, water is kept in dams or reservoirs waiting for
consumption to be greater. It is an energy source that adapts to our needs.

5.- Safe

Compared to nuclear or fossil fuel energy, hydroelectric energy is much safer. The
only fuel used is water.

Disadvantages of hydropower

1.- Environmental consequences

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The construction of hydraulic plants affects nature, the natural flows of water, and
the construction of roads and power lines.

Hydroelectric plants affect fish. Their habitats are shaped by multiple factors such
as water level, speed, availability of shelter and access to food. Drainage of rivers
downstream of a dam could be completely devastating to fish populations. For this
reason, a minimum flow or ecological flow must always be guaranteed that allows
the fish to continue with their biological cycles, although depending on the species,
the construction of a dam is somewhat incompatible with their life cycle.

2.- Its implementation is expensive and not easy

Building a hydroelectric plant is expensive. Although on the other hand, once up

and running, few workers are needed and maintenance costs are normally low.
Projects must be carefully studied to minimize environmental impacts.

3.- Droughts

Electricity generation and energy prices are directly affected by the amount of
impounded water. Droughts could of course affect it. In recent years, the climate
has been altered with periods of longer than normal droughts and there have been
numerous reservoirs that have seen their levels below minimum.

4.- Finite reserves

Appropriate sites for the establishment of a profitable hydroelectric power plant are
practically exhausted, which is why the commissioning of new complexes has not
been common lately.

Environmental impact of hydropower

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From an environmental point of view, electricity from hydraulic sources has always
been considered a non-polluting energy alternative. However, the construction of a
hydroelectric plant has a certain impact on the environment.

The presence of hydroelectric plants, which despite being "in a certain sense"
conservative of the environment, produce great changes in the rivers, both in their
channels and in their entire surroundings.

In the first phases of development of the plants, that is, their construction and
establishment process, the forests and riverbeds begin to be intervened by making
more appropriate access roads for the transfer of materials, which usually means a
number significant tree felling, diversions and modifications of the river course, and
ultimately, a sudden change in the entire natural environment.

The consequences of the construction are visible, and the help of an expert is not
needed to be able to observe the great changes that a river undergoes and will
undergo under an energy exploitation project of this type. This is how, in principle,
we find ourselves with problems of movement and migration of fish, as a result of
the creation of an artificial barrier, the so-called “barrier effect” in the entire
riverbed, which makes it impossible for the fish to ascend, which triggers that,
When they are prevented from moving freely, they begin to suffer problems in their
reproductive cycles, resulting in a clear decrease in the fish population. For those
species with migratory habits (hydromas or that require movement between fresh
and marine waters to complete their life cycle), the presence of a barrier in their

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migratory route represents a serious impact, potentially leading to a decrease in
the population and its eventual local extinction.

Later, other types of consequences can be observed, such as constant changes in

water levels, which sometimes ends up manifesting as a small trickle of water that
tries to survive small natural obstacles in order to reach its destination. Unlike the
typical structure of river channels, decreasing flow generally means an increase in
the speed and depth of the water, which gives way to a “poor” environment.

All these changes cause the river to completely modify its structure, manifesting
mainly in changes in water temperature, in the materials that are dragged along the
course, and even differences begin to occur in the physical-chemical composition
of the water.

The air could also be affected by gas emissions during the construction phase, and
by the emission of particulate matter produced by the combustion engines of
vehicle units. We must also mention the noise pollution that such a project implies,
as a result of the increase in noise intensity levels due to the passage of vehicles
during the construction process.

Both in large hydroelectric projects and in more modest ones, there are
environmental impacts that must be valued and taken into account:

Land use

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The size of the reservoir or water reservoir built in every hydroelectric project
varies considerably from one to another, depending largely on the size of the
hydroelectric generators and the topography of the land. Hydroelectric plants on
flat land logically require more surface area than those in mountainous areas,
valley areas or canyons, where reservoirs reach deeper and can store a
considerably larger volume of water compared to the surface area used.

The flooding of land due to a hydroelectric plant has an extreme environmental

impact: forests, habitats, croplands and highly valuable landscapes disappear.
Furthermore, there have been numerous cases in which entire towns have been
left under water, with the consequent displacement of their inhabitants or entire
communities and the disappearance of their heritage.

Impacts on wildlife

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Reservoirs and dams are used for numerous purposes such as water supply to
cities and populations in general, agricultural irrigation, flood control, recreational
uses, etc., so the pressure and impact on wildlife created by them cannot be be
attributed solely to the production of electrical energy. But it is undeniable that they
also seriously affect fauna and, to a large extent, aquatic ecosystems. Despite the
implementation of numerous techniques to minimize their impact, such as fish
ladders and ramps, these and other aquatic organisms can be injured or killed by
the movement of the turbine blades that generate electricity.

Apart from this direct impact, other impacts occur on the dam itself or even
downstream of it. Dams and reservoirs stagnate water and the flows are slower
than the original river, and as a consequence, they accumulate more sediment and
nutrients, which leads to an excessive increase in algae and aquatic plants. This
anomalous aquatic vegetation displaces the original, and in many cases, must be
controlled by mechanical or biological means.

Downstream of a dam the river flow is usually reduced considerably. In fact, the
obligation to guarantee an “ecological flow” has long been implemented, to try to
guarantee the survival of river plant and animal populations.

In a dam, the oxygen dissolved in the water is less than in a flowing river, so when
releasing water the action of aerators is important, since water is normally released
from the deepest areas of the reservoir, which are those that have precisely less

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oxygen and also a lower temperature than the shallowest waters of the rivers. In
this way, its impact on the normally sensitive fish populations is minimized.

Impact on climate change

During the construction and dismantling of a hydroelectric plant it is true that

emissions are produced that contribute to global warming. Curiously, during their
exploitation, despite the fact that no fossil fuels are used, it has been discovered
that dams and reservoirs emit variable amounts of carbon dioxide and methane
into the atmosphere depending on their size and the biomass that was present in
the area before. of being under the waters.

The reason is simple: after being flooded by water, the vegetation and organic
matter in the soil in these areas decomposes and releases carbon dioxide and
methane, both greenhouse gases.

However, its effect is much smaller compared to the emissions from electricity
production using fossil fuels such as coal or even natural gas.

Geographic location of hydroelectric plants in Panama

1. La Fortuna Hydroelectric or Edwin Fábrega.

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Location: Hornitos district, Gualaca district, Chiriquí province.

River used for its operation: Chiriquí River.

Capacity: 300 MW.

The Fortuna hydroelectric plant is one of the main suppliers of electrical energy in
the Republic of Panama (according to panamahitek.com), since it supplies around
23% of the electrical needs of our country. It has an installed capacity of 300 MW,
obtained from three units of Pelton turbines of 100 MW of power each and its
current owner is ENEL Fortuna.

Below are some dimensions of the plant:

pressure tunnel 6.0 km length

discharge tunnel 8.0 km length
Access tunnel to the Powerhouse 1.6 km long (30° inclination)
House of machines 430 m deep
Maximum turbine flow 45

2. AES Panama, SA

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Plants: Bayano, La Estrella, Los Valles, Estí and Changuinola I.

Total installed capacity: 705 MW.

According to www.aespanama.com, AES Panama is currently the largest power

generator in the country and the largest private hydroelectric generator in Central
America. Its operations are made up of two companies: AES Panamá, SA and
AES Changuinola, SA

Its main clients are the three Panamanian electricity distribution companies: Elektra
Noreste, SA, Empresa de Distribución Eléctrica Metro-Oeste, SA and Empresa de
Distribución Eléctrica Chiriquí, SA, which represents 95% of its total electricity
sales. The remaining 5% corresponds to electricity sales to Large Customers,
which are companies with an energy consumption greater than 100 kilowatts per
month.

AES Panamá, SA plants, distributed throughout the country:

Plant Location (province) Installed capacity

Changuinola I Bull's mouths 223MW
The star Chiriqui 47.2MW
The Valleys Chiriqui 54.8 MW
Estí Chiriqui 120MW
Bayano Panama 260

2.1 La Estrella Hydroelectric Plant

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The La Estrella hydroelectric plant is located between the towns of Boquete and
Caldera, approximately 40 kilometers north of the City of David, in the west of the
Province of Chiriquí.

2.2 Los Valle Hydroelectric Plant

Located approximately three kilometers northwest of the town of Caldera. This

plant, like La Estrella, was the subject of re-powering work on the two Francis-type
units that culminated in May 2007, for a total installed capacity of 54.8 MW
(energiapanama.wordpress.com).

2.3 Bayano Hydroelectric Plant

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The Ascanio Villaláz hydroelectric plant or also called Bayano is located in Cañita
Chepo, Province of Panama approximately 80 km east of Panama City

3. Dos Mares Hydroelectric Complex.

Location: Chiriquí Province.

Water sources used: Turbined waters from Fortuna and Canjilones.

Installed capacity: 118 MW

The Dos Mares hydroelectric complex has three plants, Gualaca (located near the
City of Gualaca), Lorena and Prudencia, located in the City of David. They are
operated by GDF Suez Energía Centroamérica and their canal has an extension of
19 km. According to the operating company's website, the complex was put into
operation, each plant in three different stages, with the Gualaca plant beginning

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operation and producing its first megawatts/hour (December, 2010), then Lorena
(March, 2011) and latest Prudencia (early 2013)

4. Buenos Aires Hydroelectric.

Location : District of Las Palmas, province of Veraguas.

Supply: Uses the waters of the Quebrada Cabuya.

5. Coclesito Hydroelectric Plant.

Location: Donoso District, Colón province.

Supply: waters from the San Juan River.

6. Concepción Hydroelectric Plant.

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Location: Boquerón district, Chiriquí province.

Installed capacity: 10.6 MW.

Operating company: Isthmus Hydro Power Corp.

Supply: Río Chico or Río Piedra (it is important to mention that it is known as one
of the eight fastest rivers in the world).

7. Dolega Hydroelectric Plant.

Location : Dolega district, Chiriquí province.

Installed capacity: 3.2 MW.

Supply: Cochea River.

Operating company: Unión Fenosa.

8. La Yeguada Hydroelectric Plant.

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Location : Calobre district, Veraguas province.

Installed capacity: 7 MW.

Supply: uses the waters of the La Yeguada Lagoon and the San Juan River.

Operating company: Metro Electrical Distribution Company, SA

9. Los Algarrobos Hydroelectric Plant.

Location: Boquete district, Chiriquí province.

Installed capacity: 9,858 MW.

Supply : Quebradas Los Algarrobos Este, Los Algarrobos Oeste and Casita de
Piedra. It does not work with a dam, but with a diversion canal and is operated by
Unión Fenosa.

10. Macano Hydroelectric Plant.

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Location : Boquerón district, Chiriquí province.

Supply: Río Chico or Río Piedra.

Installed capacity: 3.4 MW.

Operating company: Hydro Power Boquerón.

11. Macho de Monte Hydroelectric Plant.

Location: Bugaba district, Chiriquí province.

Installed capacity: 2.4 MW.

Supply: Río Chico or Río Piedra and Río Macho de Monte.

Operating company: Unión Fenosa.

12. Hydroelectric Passed Wide.

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Location: Bugaba district, Chiriquí province.

Installed capacity: 6.3 MW.

Supply: Chiriquí Viejo River.

Operating company: Paso Ancho Hydro Power.

13. Pueblo Nuevo Hydroelectric Plant.

Location: Calobre district, Veraguas province.

Supply: San Antonio River.

14. Gatún Hydroelectric Plant.

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Location: Gatún, province of Panama.
Capacity: 36 MW.
Supply: Chagres River.
Operating company: Panama Canal Authority (ACP).

15. Madden Hydroelectric.

Location : Province of Panama.

Installed capacity: 24 MW.
Operating company: Panama Canal Authority.
Supply: Lake Alajuela and Chagres, Pequerrí and Boquerón Rivers.
Dam: Madden.

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Conclusions

1. There is no doubt that renewable energies are the future of our planet.
Fossil resources are running out and although they are still used massively,
a shift towards clean energy is necessary. Within these, hydraulic energy
stands out enormously, which uses water as the main resource. Due to its
special characteristics, we are dealing with a truly clean and renewable
energy, since it does not influence the natural water cycle at all; In this way,
reserves will always be stable.

2. The construction of hydroelectric plants is being a common denominator

throughout the world, some being truly impressive, such as those found in
China or Brazil. In our country there is also an increase in production, which
places it among the leading countries in hydroelectric energy.

3. Currently, in a not very long period of approximately 20 years, the use of not
only energy from rivers but also that of the seas and oceans has been
achieved using the newest technologies in order to bring renewable
electricity to consumers that is practically do not pollute the environment.

4. Hydroelectric energy is a supremely important source of energy for our lives,

since they work like a water meter, the less hydroelectric energy we can
obtain, it means that we have less water.

5. This work, apart from teaching us new things about computing and the use
of the Internet, we were able to learn about various topics not only by
consulting for our blog, but also by visiting those of our colleagues.
6. Hydroelectric energy, this alternative energy source, covers a large part of
the needs due to a lack of energy worldwide, providing much of it.

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 7. Although dams and the construction of power plants are very harmful, we
must think more about the benefits they will bring, such as the annihilation of
fossils as an energy element.

8. Reducing pollution is possible as long as we commit to improving and

changing each of our mentalities.

9. The production of this type of energy can be obtained through various

mechanisms in combination with others of various types such as basic tubes
and turbines without the need for the plant itself.

10. Hydroelectric energy takes advantage of the movement of water to convert it

into commercial electrical current. The first time this was done was in
Northumberland (Great Britain) in 1880 and it is a technology that is still
used today with few modifications.

11. Hydroelectric energy is a natural resource especially suitable for rainy areas
or areas through which large rivers flow; It is recommended that these rivers
have little variable channels, although in the case of rivers with oscillating
flows, reservoirs can be used to store water in times of drought.

recommendations

1) Hydroelectric plants are projects of great importance for generation in

Panama, but they should be governed by existing regulations.

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 2) Take care of nature and the resources that live in them.

3) Take the pertinent measures regarding energy generation and distribution.

4) Citizens should be considerate and support this, since as we know the

reservoirs are currently having difficulties due to the long dry season in
Panama.

5) Promote programs that allow better use of reservoirs aimed at

environmental conservation, such as irrigation, water supply, protection
against floods, among others, that allow us to obtain greater benefits,
above all, in favor of nature, using them resources of hydroelectric plants.

6) We are wasting water, this renewable resource, and sooner or later it will
run out, along with us.

Infographic

 https://www.maestrogreen.com/energia-hidraulica-se-obtiene/
 http://www.monografias.com/trabajos109/energiahidraulica/
energiahidraulica.shtml
 http://hidroimpacto.blogspot.com/

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  http://melquiadesvillarrealcastillo.blogspot.com/2014/07/hidroelectricas-en-
panama.html
 http://hidroelectricafortuna-pma.blogspot.com/2013/05/hidroelectrica-la-
fortuna.html
 http://www.actiweb.es/jessyguerrero/hidroelectrica_bayano.html
 http://www.etesa.com.pa/estudios.php?act=mapa

Annexes

Hydropower plant

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 The two types of
hydroelectric plants

Changuinola hydroelectric plant.

The largest in Panama

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white mud hydroelectric
power station

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