1. Hydro-Electric Ashfield Direct Learning Zoe Taylor Ks4 Energy

2. What is hydro-electricity?  Hydro-electricity is a renewable energy resource which means it will never run out.  It works by water travelling down pipes which turns a turbine and generator.

3. How does hydro-electricity work?  water is stored in a reservoir. This provides water pressure to the turbine by gravity.  The water then travels through a channel from the reservoir to the turbine.  The turbine moves round due to the water flowing through the channel  This turns a generator to create an electrical current.  Any spare energy is used to pump the water back to the reservoir.

5. How much is used around the world?  Hydro electric power provides 20% of the world’s electricity.  In mountainous countries such as New Zealand and Switzerland, hydro electric power provides over half the countries electricity.

6. Advantages  Once the dam is built the energy is very cheap.  No waste or pollution is produced  Can be used on demand  Hydroelectric power stations can increase to full power very quickly, whereas others can not. (Nuclear)

7. Disadvantages  The dams are very expensive to build  Building a large dam will flood a very large area upstream, causing problems for animals that used to live there.  Finding an area to build the power stations is hard to find as it may effect the surrounding environment or people living there.  Water quality and quantity downstream can be affected, which can have an impact on plant life.