A Hydroelectric Plant, also called Hydroelectric Plant or Hydroelectric Plant, is an engineering work that uses the power of water to generate energy.
In reality, it is an intricate engineering project (civil, electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, etc.) that demands enormous construction efforts.
This is because these plants need major works and equipment so that they can produce electricity using the latent hydraulic potential in a river.
As it is a very complex project that involves several calculations, the technical feasibility of each plant must be assessed in a particular way.
Therefore, it is an installation connected to the transport network that distributes an amount of energy requested by the loads.
Also note that the use of hydraulic energy is quite old and was used primarily in waterfalls and has produced mechanical energy in mills since the 1st century BC
How does a hydroelectric plant work?
- The potential gravitational energy that is converted into kinetic energy is obtained by damming the water;
- This impoundment causes the pressure that converts hydraulic energy into mechanical energy;
- This mechanical energy is transferred to the hydraulic turbine that will be converted into electrical energy;
- The electrical energy produced is transmitted to one or more transmission lines, interconnected to the distribution network;
- However, part of that energy is “lost” in the form of heat that heats the transmission line.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Hydroelectric Plants
Despite being a renewable source of energy , it does not mean that they are environmentally immaculate.
Some environmental impacts harm the fauna and flora of the flooded area that constitutes the reservoir.
The flooding of the floodplains, the increase in the level of rivers and the local temperature stand out.
On the other hand, the main positive aspect is the cheaper production of energy in relation to the costs of producing electricity via nuclear energy.
It is certainly less aggressive to the environment than oil or coal based thermoelectric plants.
Hydroelectric Plants in Brazil
Brazil is the third largest producer in the world in hydroelectric potential, after Canada and the United States. In addition, it is the third country with the greatest hydraulic potential, behind Russia and China.
About 90% of the electric energy generated in the country comes from hydroelectric plants. There are just over 100 plants of this type scattered throughout Brazil, of which the following stand out:
- Itaipu Binacional Hydroelectric Plant : located on the Paraná River, comprising part of the state of Paraná and part of Paraguay.
- Belo Monte Hydroelectric Plant : located on the Xingú River, state of Pará.
- Tucuruí Hydroelectric Plant : located on the Tocantins River, state of Pará.
- Jirau Hydroelectric Plant : located on the Madeira River, state of Rondônia.
- Santo Antônio Hydroelectric Plant : located on the Madeira River, state of Rondônia.
Curiosities
- The largest hydroelectric plant in the world is the Three Gorges Plant, located in China.
- The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) considered the Itaipu Plant to be one of the “Seven Wonders of the Modern World”. It is the second largest hydroelectric plant in the world and produces 20% of national demand and 95% of Paraguayan electricity demand.
- About 20% of the electric energy produced worldwide is from hydroelectric plants.