All flashcards
Flashcard 1: What is the primary component of a turbine in a hydroelectric plant?
Answer: Runner. Rotating blade assembly that captures water's kinetic energy for power generation.
Flashcard 2: How does pumped-storage hydroelectric power help balance electricity supply and demand?
Answer: Stores energy during low demand, releases during high demand. Energy storage system matching electricity supply with variable consumer demand patterns.
Flashcard 3: What term describes the gradual buildup of sediments behind a dam?
Answer: Sedimentation. Sediment accumulation reduces reservoir capacity and turbine efficiency over time.
Flashcard 4: What is the primary energy source for hydroelectric power?
Answer: Gravitational potential energy of water. Water's height creates potential energy that converts to kinetic energy when released.
Flashcard 5: Identify one benefit of small-scale hydroelectric systems.
Answer: Minimal environmental footprint. Smaller installations cause less ecological disruption while providing local power.
Flashcard 6: Name a country with significant hydroelectric power capacity.
Answer: China. World's largest hydroelectric producer with massive dam infrastructure projects.
Flashcard 7: What is the typical life expectancy of large hydroelectric dams?
Answer: 50-100 years. Durable infrastructure providing long-term renewable energy with proper maintenance.
Flashcard 8: What is one way hydroelectric power contributes to grid stability?
Answer: Provides rapid response to demand changes. Quick startup capability helps balance supply fluctuations from variable sources.
Flashcard 9: What is the typical life expectancy of large hydroelectric dams?
Answer: 50-100 years. Durable infrastructure providing long-term renewable energy with proper maintenance.
Flashcard 10: Name a country with significant hydroelectric power capacity.
Answer: China. World's largest hydroelectric producer with massive dam infrastructure projects.
Flashcard 11: What is the role of spillways in a dam?
Answer: To release excess water from the reservoir. Safety structures preventing dam overflow during high water or flood conditions.
Flashcard 12: What is one environmental benefit of hydroelectric power?
Answer: Reduces reliance on fossil fuels. Displaces carbon-intensive energy sources, helping mitigate climate change impacts.
Flashcard 13: What is the function of a dam in a hydroelectric power plant?
Answer: To store water and create a height differential. Creates reservoir elevation to maximize gravitational potential energy for power generation.
Flashcard 14: What is one potential consequence of dam failure?
Answer: Flooding downstream areas. Catastrophic failure releases massive water volumes, causing devastating downstream flooding.
Flashcard 15: What component converts water flow into electricity in a hydroelectric plant?
Answer: Turbine. Water flow spins turbine blades, which drive generators to produce electricity.
Flashcard 16: What is one major challenge of integrating hydroelectric power into the grid?
Answer: Seasonal variability of water flow. Drought and seasonal changes affect water availability for consistent power generation.
Flashcard 17: What percentage of global electricity is provided by hydroelectric power?
Answer: Approximately 16%. Significant renewable energy source, though varies by region and development.
Flashcard 18: Which law of physics is primarily utilized in hydroelectric power generation?
Answer: Law of Conservation of Energy. Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed between different forms.
Flashcard 19: What type of turbine is commonly used in large-scale hydroelectric plants?
Answer: Francis turbine. Mixed-flow turbine efficient for medium head applications in major facilities.
Flashcard 20: Identify the type of energy conversion in hydroelectric power plants.
Answer: Potential energy to kinetic energy to electrical energy. Energy transforms sequentially through each stage of the hydroelectric process.
Flashcard 21: What is the role of a generator in a hydroelectric power plant?
Answer: Converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. Uses electromagnetic induction to transform turbine's rotational motion into electricity.
Flashcard 22: What is the purpose of penstocks in a hydroelectric plant?
Answer: Conduct water from the reservoir to the turbines. Large pipes that channel high-pressure water directly to turbine generators.
Flashcard 23: What are the main maintenance challenges for hydroelectric plants?
Answer: Sediment management and equipment wear. Sediment buildup and mechanical wear require regular inspection and component replacement.
Flashcard 24: What is the main goal of reservoir management in hydroelectric systems?
Answer: Ensure consistent water supply and flood control. Balances power generation needs with water storage and flood prevention requirements.
Flashcard 25: Identify one social impact of constructing large dams for hydroelectric power.
Answer: Displacement of human populations. Reservoir creation floods communities, forcing relocation of affected populations.
Flashcard 26: What is one benefit of hydroelectric power in terms of reliability?
Answer: Can provide base load and peak load electricity. Adjustable output allows quick response to changing electricity demand patterns.
Flashcard 27: Identify the main advantage of run-of-the-river hydroelectric systems.
Answer: Minimal environmental and social impact. Uses natural river flow without large reservoir, reducing ecological disruption.
Flashcard 28: What unit is used to measure electrical power output?
Answer: Watt (W). Standard SI unit for measuring rate of energy transfer or consumption.
Flashcard 29: Define the term 'hydroelectric power'.
Answer: Electricity generated by harnessing the energy of flowing water. Converts flowing water's kinetic energy into mechanical then electrical energy.
Flashcard 30: Name one advantage of hydroelectric power over fossil fuels.
Answer: Produces no direct greenhouse gas emissions. Clean renewable energy source without carbon emissions during operation.