What is Hydroelectric Power?

Andrew Zhong Debbie Peng Loretta Tang Vicky Zhao

Outline

Introduction: Definition, History, Benefits How hydroelectric power plants work Application of hydroelectric power in Canada Challenges and opportunities Conclusion

Definition
Hydro-electric power: electric power generated from water being funnelled into turbines at great speeds. Turbines extract the kinetic energy from the water and turn it into electric power through generators.

History of hydroelectric power

>2,000 year ago: Greeks used water wheels for grinding wheat into flour 1700s: used extensively for milling and pumping 1879: first hydroelectric power plant built at Niagara Falls By the early 1940s: hydropower provided 33% of Canadas electricity At present: hydropower accounts for ~60% of Canadas electricity source

Benefits of hydroelectric power

Clean: renewable source of energy, water on earth is continuously replenished by precipitation
- Eliminates emission from fossil fuel combustion such as sulfur dioxide, nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, dust, and mercury - No nuclear wastes and leaks - Output better regulated than solar and wind energy

Benefits of hydroelectric power

Best long term investment: sturdy structures and simple equipment Competitive prices: BC, Manitoba, Quebec have the lowest electricity rates in North America having most of their electric power generated from water Beneficial for the economy: jobs, revenues, affordable energy source

Energy from moving water

The flowing water Mechanical energy- the generators powering the water Mechanical energy -turbines converting water to electricity Electrical energy- powers our homes for using electronics

The water cycle

I just want to talk about DAM

Mechanical Energy

Hydroelectricity in BC

http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/EEC/GreenTeam/PublishingImages/supply%20graph1.jpg

Hydroelectricity in BC

>90% of electricity generated by BC Hydro 43,000 gw/yr 1.6 million customers 73,000 km of distribution lines

1 gigawatt = 1,000 megawatts = 1 billion watts

Hydroelectricity in BC

http://www.bchydro.com/etc/medialib/internet/images/info/gif/info_power_generation_gif1.Par.0001.Image.jpg

1. The Source

http://pacificclimate.org/sites/default/files/figures/hydrophase1-studyarea.png

2. The Generator
Largest BC Hydro GM Shrum Generating Station (2,730 mw/yr) Small Whistler Fitzsimmons Creek Hydro Plant (7.9 mw/yr) Smallest (microhydro generator) West Vancouver Eagle Lake Generator (0.2 mw/yr)

Hydroelectricity in BC

http://www.bchydro.com/etc/medialib/internet/images/info/gif/info_power_generation_gif1.Par.0001.Image.jpg

How Much GHG Reduced?

In 2010, BC Hydros GHG were ~1.1 million tonnes CO2e or 23 tonnes of CO2e/GWh Canadian average 290 tonnes of CO2e/GWh Fossil Fuel Generators 970 tonnes of CO2e/GWh *CO2e carbon dioxide equivalent

Challenges and opportunities

Impacts on the environment
Submersion of extensive areas upstream of the dams habitat fragmentation Disruption of fish migration fish reclamation: fish bypass system and fish ladders Changes in water chemistry (dissolved oxygen) temperatures Mitigation: reforestation, wetland establishment, and creation of wildlife reserves

Challenges and opportunities

Relocation

Dam safety

Displacement of residents due to dam construction Historically and culturally important sites can be flooded and lost Ex. Three Gorges Dam in China Change in sediment flow and water table elevation Potential changes to seismic property Key is carefully planning and good site selection

Challenges and opportunities

Large projects face hurdles
Environmental and social concerns, large capital costs and long construction periods make large hydro projects difficult High cost of constructions means they must operate for many decades to become profitable

Increased in small hydro

Small independent hydro energy producers are increasing in number Selling electricity to electric utilities

Challenges and opportunities

Consultation linked to different needs
Planning and developing must consider local environmental, economic and social concerns In Canadas North, projects may be near lands and waterways used by the Aboriginal people Current approach is to address project impacts and create jobs, training and other economic and social benefits

Challenges and opportunities

Climate change benefits
Reservoirs, as natural lakes, can emit certain quality of GHGs due to decomposing vegetation Though significantly less than other source of electricity generation such as fossil fuel power plants Contributes to our commitments to the Kyoto Protocol

Conclusion
All forms of energy production impact the environment, one must make cost and benefit analysis. Hydroelectric power is ideal in BC as it is a green energy that make use of our advantage of abundant water!

References

A Flood of Change. (2010). Sidney Morning Herald. Retrieved November 10, 2011 from http://www.smh.com.au/travel/activity/cruises/a-flood-of-change-20100121-mo1t.html BC Hydro. (2011). Hydro Electric Generation System. http://www.bchydro.com/etc /medialib/internet/images/info/gif/info_power_generation_gif1.Par.0001.Image.jpg Canadian Hydropower Association. (2008) Hydropower in Canada Past Present and Future. Retrieved on November 04, 2011 from http://www.canhydropower.org/ hydro_e/pdf/hydropower_past_present_future_en.pdf Combs, S. (2011). Hydropower. Retrieved on November 05, 2011 from http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt /energy/renewable/hydro.php Hydropower. (2011). Environment and Ecology. Retrieved on November 05, 2011 from http://www.environment-ecology.com/green-renewable-energy/93-hydropower.html Ministry of Energy and Mines. (2010). Hydroelectricity. Retrieved on November 05, 2011 from http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/EEC/GreenTeam/PublishingImages /supply%20graph1.jpg WhyHydroPower.com (2009). Hydropower Tour, Part 1: How Hydropower Works. Retrieved on November 05, 2011 from http://www.whyhydropower.com/HydroTour1.html

Questions
List 3 of the 4 benefits of hydroelectric power. What are the challenges of hydroelectric power? What is the natural cycle that is involved with generating hydroelectric power (hint: think hydrogeology)?