Question: How does hydro energy work?

  1. Hydroelectric power stations work by utilising the gravitational potential energy of water. If you put a ball on a high shelf you have given it a lot of potential energy. Once the ball reaches the edge of the shelf its potential energy becomes kinetic energy as it is pulled own by the force of gravity. Hydro works the same way by making the water fall from a high place to a low place we can generate kinetic energy. That kinetic energy is captured by the water landing on and spinning a turbine which generate the electricity.

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  2. Hydro energy releases gravitational potential energy. You start with water at some elevation, you allow it to fall some distance. In the process of falling, the gravitational potential energy is converted to kinetic energy (energy of motion). The momentum of the moving water is used to rotate a turbine, which is a magnet moving inside wound wire. This creates electricity on the would wire. An interesting idea is to use solar power during the day to pump water to a height and then release it overnight to produce hydro power, a way to utilise solar energy 24/7. Some numbers you might find interesting. 1 litre of water (1 kg) falling 100 m will produce 1 kilojoule.

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  3. Looks like the others have this one

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