Hydropower

The word hydro means water and the energy obtained from the falling water is called hydropower. It is a renewable source of energy.

Hydropower is the source of energy which is derived from the fast running water. In the late 19th century, hydropower became a source for generating electricity. India is the seventh-largest producer of hydroelectric power in the world.

Do you know about the first commercial hydroelectric power plant?

The first commercial hydroelectric power plant was built at Niagara Falls in 1879. In 1881, street lamps in the city of Niagara Falls were powered by hydropower. But do you know, When did first hydroelectric power plants establish in India?

The first hydroelectric power plants in India were established at Darjeeling (West Bengal) in 1898 and Shivanasamudra (Karnataka) in 1902. Hydroelectricity is generated from the energy that is released when water falls from a high level with great force.

Generation of Hydropower

The river water is collected by constructing a big dam. Then, this water is allowed to fall from a height. The blades of the turbine located at the bottom of the dam move with the force of falling water, which in turn rotates the generator and generates electricity. The kinetic energy of the water is used to drive the turbine.

Necessary Conditions for the development of Hydroelectric Power-

• A mountainous area or an upland region, from where the waterfalls are from a height.
• The climate should be moderate so that the water does not get frozen.
• The water should be free from impurities or silt.
• The Flow of streams should be uniform.
• The rivers should be perpetual means they should always have an adequate quantity of water.
• Industrial zones must be in close vicinity to reduce the loss of electricity in the transmission.

Advantage of Hydel Power-

• It is a renewable source of energy because it is generated from water, which is an inexhaustible and renewable resource.
• It is a pollution-free source of energy.
• It has little maintenance.
• The water used for generating electricity can be used for other purposes such as irrigation.
• It does not generate any waste material.

Disadvantages of Hydropower

Reasons for the opposition of Multipurpose River Valley Projects

The construction of these projects leads to the submergence of a variety of flora and fauna and human settlements.

• The displacement of local people has an adverse effect on their livelihood and health.
• These projects decrease the fertility of the soil because due to the construction of dams there are no annual floods in the river and hence, the soil does not get nutrient-rich silt.
• The building of these dams leads to deforestation.
• The construction of dams also disturbs the aquatic ecosystem as it does not allow the aquatic animals to get sufficient nutrients.
• This leads to the excessive deposition of sediments at the bottom of the reservoir which makes river beds rockier downstream.

Questions

1. What is the meaning of the word hydro?
a) Land
b) Sea
c) Wind
d) Water

2. The first commercial hydroelectric power plant was built in which year?
a) 1881
b) 1898
c) 1902
d) 1879

3. The hydroelectric power plant is______
a) Non-renewable source of energy
b) Conventional source of energy
c) Exhaustible source of energy
d) Renewable source of energy

4. The hydroelectric power plant is mainly located in..
a) Flat areas
b) Deserts
c) Deltas
d) Hilly areas

5. Which of the following is not a requirement for the site selection of a hydroelectric power plant?
a) Availability of water
b) Temperate climate
c) Large catchment area
d) Sedimentation

Read More:

Sources of Energy: Conventional and Non-Conventional | Types of Energy