How to Use Water As an Energy Source
Hydroelectric power is the power generated by flowing water being made to turn an electric generator. This converts the energy of the water's movement into electrical energy. In essence, an electric generator is made of a bunch of turning magnets, which are held very close to coils of wire. Because of the principle of magnetic induction the moving magnets cause electricity to flow in the coils of wire. The faster the magnets move past the coils, the more electricity is generated.
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Instructions
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Set up a reservoir. Large hydroelectric plants use lakes, ponds and rivers made to flood by blocking them up with a dam. Smaller hydroelectric generators, such as those used by most individuals, use a stream or river as a reservoir. Smaller generators have parts immersed in the stream or river but do not block or flood the river. A very small hydroelectric generator, or one that only has to operate for short times, might use a barrel on a roof or platform.
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Set the turbine up at the outflow of the reservoir. In a dam the outflow will be as high up as possible and the turbine blades at the very bottom, so that the water hits them as strongly as possible. If the reservoir is a barrel or something similar, then place the turbine beneath a pipe running out of the bottom of the reservoir. If a stream or river is being used as a reservoir, place the turbine blades in it at its fastest-moving point. This will usually be where it is narrowest.
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Connect the electric generator to the turbine. This means that the electric generator will be very close to the turbine, so you will need protect it from splashing water. You can use the generator either to power equipment directly or to store electrical energy in a battery.
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Tips & Warnings
A low-cost alternative to the turbine is the water wheel. A water wheel is a wheel with short fins or cups around its perimeter. As water flows past them it pushes them, turning the wheel. Most handymen can build a water wheel easily, with nothing more than simple tools.
A dedicated handyman can build an electric generator. The turbine or water wheel needs to be connected to a plate with magnets placed around the perimeter, alternating north and south poles upward. Another plate needs coils of magnet wire placed around its perimeter. The coils should be wrapped around iron. When the coils are wired together, the magnet plate turned by the turbine will generate a current in them.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit the hoover dam image by Darren White from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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interesting material on energy production.
