1. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved. 1

2. A nswer the following questions on a sheet of paper. 1. Generators are devices used to create electricity; identify five different ways to power them. 2. Would you consider a barrel of water a form of stored energy? Why or why not? 2 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved.

3. 1. Complete The Hydropower Energy Application Terms and Definitions handout. 2. Students may work in groups. 3 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved.

4. Hydropower energy production has increased globally in the past decade. China, Canada, Brazil, USA, and Russia are the top five users of hydropower. Hydropower plants produce approximately 24% of the world’s energy used. The US has over 2000 hydropower plants in operation. Technology gives us the ability to capture and use the stored energy, available in large bodies of water, to create electrical energy. 4 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved.

5. Hydropower is created by water flowing through large dams. The energy produced is connected to a power grid. Hydropower plants do not generate energy at a level sufficient to replace energy produced by coal or nuclear plants. Hydropower plants generate energy to supplement energy produced by coal and nuclear energy plants. 5 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved.

6. 6 Dam Intake Control gate Penstock Turbine Generator Transformer Power lines Outflow

7. 7 Reservoir Dam Transformers Power lines Outflow Turbine Penstock Control gate Intake Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved. Generator

8. When the control gate is raised, water from the reservoir flows through the intake and penstock. Water pressure increases as it reaches the turbine wheel. The turbine wheel turns and drives a shaft on the generator. Electrical energy is produced by the generator and is fed from the transformers to the power grind through the power lines. 8 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved.