According to IEEE Spectrum energy from water makes up about one-fifth of the world’s electricity or about 900 gigawatts; the trend will continue due to a large number of powerful rivers and hydro’s low cost vis-a-vis other sources of renewable energy. The United States recently stated it is interested in utilizing the huge untapped potential of hydroelectric energy within its borders.
IndustryTap has covered the Three Gorges Dam project as well as hydroelectricity as a growing source of renewable energy worldwide. China is continuing to lead the world in hydroelectric power installations with South American with significant growth as well.
What is Hydroelectric Power or Hydro Electricity?
A typical hydroelctric dam produces 45 MW of energy and involves the conversion of the potential energy of falling water into energy. The following video shows the physics and engineering principles behind hydroenergy in a short presentation by Professor Matt Anderson of San Diego State University. He discusses formulas used to calculate how much energy can be produced by a dam, efficiency and more.
Largest Hydroelectric Dams in the World
The following chart from Wikipedia shows the top hydroelectric dams in the world:
Three Gorges Dam, China, Video I
Three Gorges Dam is a 22,500 MW facility producing 98.1 TW hours is the world’s single largest source of electricity according to Popular Mechanics.
Three Gorges Dam, Video II
Six hundred and thirty two square kilometers were flooded to complete the project:
Arial View of Itaipu Dam, Brazil
Itaipu Dam produces 14,000 MS of energy yearly and 98.3 TW hours. Area flooded for this project was 1,350 square kilometers.
Video of Guri Dam, Venezuela
Guri Dam produces 10,200 MW of energy yearly and 53.41 TW-hours. Area flooded for this project was 4,250 square kilometers.
Related Articles on IndustryTap:
- Three Gorges Dam Project (TGDP): China’s Biggest Project Since the Great Wall
- Hydroelectricity a Growing Source of Renewable Energy Worldwide
- Epic Engineering Failures Can Lead to Massive Lives Lost
