Introduction hydroelectric Power what is it?

 
 
Pumped Storage
Like peaking, pumped storage is 
a method of keeping water in 
reserve for peak period power 
demands. Pumped storage is 
water pumped to a storage pool 
above the powerplant at a time 
when customer demand for 
energy is low, such as during the 
middle of the night. The water 
is then allowed to flow back 
through the turbine-generators at 
times when demand is high and 
a heavy load is place on the 
system. 
The reservoir acts much like a 
battery, storing power in the 
form of water when demands are 
low and producing maximum 
power during daily and seasonal 
peak periods. An advantage of 
pumped storage is that 
hydroelectric generating units 
are able to start up quickly and 
make rapid adjustments in 
output. They operate efficiently 
when used for one hour or 
several hours. 
Because pumped storage 
reservoirs are relatively small, 
construction costs are generally 
low compared with conventional 
hydropower facilities. 

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Tying Hydropower to Other Energy Forms
When we hear the term 
A
solar energy,” we usually think of heat from the sun
=
s rays which can be 
put to work. But there are other forms of solar energy. Just as hydropower is a form of solar 
energy, so too is windpower. In effect, the sun causes the wind to blow by heating air masses 
that rise, cool, and sink to earth again. Solar energy in some form is always at work -- in rays of 
sunlight, in air currents, and in the water cycle. 
Solar energy, in its various forms, has the potential of adding significant amounts of power for 
our use. The solar energy that reaches our planet in a single week is greater than that contained 
in all of the earth
=
s remaining coal, oil, and gas resources. However, the best sites for collecting 
solar energy in various forms are often far removed from people, their homes, and work places.
Building thousands of miles of new transmission lines would make development of the power 
too costly. 
Because of the seasonal, daily, and even hourly changes in the weather, energy flow from the 
wind and sun is neither constant nor reliable. Peak production times do not always coincide with 
high power demand times. To depend on the variable wind and sun as main power sources 
would not be acceptable to most American lifestyles. Imagine having to wait for the wind to 
blow to cook a meal or for the sun to come out from behind a cloud to watch television! 
As intermittent energy sources, solar power and wind power must be tied to major hydroelectric 
power systems to be both economical and feasible. Hydropower can serve as an instant backup 
and to meet peak demands. 
Linking windpower and hydropower can add to the Nation
=
s supply of electrical energy. Large 
wind machines can be tied to existing hydroelectric powerplants. Wind power can be used, 
when the wind is blowing, to reduce demands on hydropower. That would allow dams to save 
their water for later release to generate power in peak periods. 
The benefits of solar power and wind power are many. The most valuable feature of all is the 
replenishing supply of these types of energy. As long as the sun shines and the wind blows, 
these resources are truly renewable.