Table of Contents
- 1 How does water stored behind a dam help generate electric energy?
- 2 Where does the potential energy stored in the water behind the dam come from?
- 3 What energy is stored in dam water?
- 4 What is the stored energy of the water in dam?
- 5 How is water captured and turned into electricity?
- 6 How does gravity work in a hydroelectric dam?
How does water stored behind a dam help generate electric energy?
In an impoundment facility, a dam is used to control the flow of water stored in a pool or reservoir. When more energy is needed, water is released from the dam. Once water is released, gravity takes over and the water flows downward through a turbine. As the blades of the turbine spin, they power a generator.
Where does the potential energy stored in the water behind the dam come from?
The water behind a hydroelectric dam stores gravitational potential energy since it is at a higher level than the water on the other side of the dam. As the water falls, this potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, which turns turbines to generate electricity.
How is energy made from water?
Flowing water creates energy that can be captured and turned into electricity. The most common type of hydroelectric power plant uses a dam on a river to store water in a reservoir. Water released from the reservoir flows through a turbine, spinning it, which in turn activates a generator to produce electricity.
How do water mills produce energy?
Water mills harness kinetic energy from moving bodies of water (usually rivers or streams) in order to drive machinery and generate electricity. The movement of the water drives the water wheel, which in turn powers a mechanical process within the mill itself.
What energy is stored in dam water?
kinetic energy
The water high up in the dam contains gravitational potential energy. This is transferred or changed its form into kinetic energy as the water rushes down through tubes inside the dam. The moving water will rotate electrical generators, which are being built inside the dam. Therefore the dam possesses potential energy.
What is the stored energy of the water in dam?
The energy stored in water of a dam is the kinetic energy.
How is the water held behind the dam?
The water is held behind the dam has the potential energy because of its position. Pg 80 #2 Some of the water is allowed to flow through a tunnel within the dam. The potential energy in the stored water changes into kinetic energy when the water moves through the tunnel. Pg 80 #3 The kinetic energy of the moving water turns turbines within the dam.
How is electrical energy transported away from the dam?
Electrical energy is transported away from the dam through wires. The electrical energy is converted into many different forms of energy and is used in many different ways. For example, at a concert or a play, electrical energy is converted into light and heat by lighting systems and into sound energy by sound systems. Pg 81 #1
How is water captured and turned into electricity?
When flowing water is captured and turned into electricity, it is called hydroelectric power or hydropower. There are several types of hydroelectric facilities; they are all powered by the kinetic energy of flowing water as it moves downstream.
How does gravity work in a hydroelectric dam?
Gravity causes it to fall through the penstock inside the dam. At the end of the penstock there is a turbine propellor, which is turned by the moving water. The shaft from the turbine goes up into the generator, which produces the power.