Hydroelectricity
is one of the many ways you can generate power. Hydroelectricity
uses water to generate electricity. Hydroelectricity uses a dam
on a river. The dam regulates the flow of water. Since the water
has potential energy at the top of the dam, it allows the electricity
to be generated.
Holtwood Hydroelectric Station in Lancaster
County, PA.
The dam creates a reservoir because the
river is no longer a flowing river. The water flows from the
reservoir to the dam and then to the power plant through a large
pipe or tube. The water spins the turbines in the power plant
to create power.
The dam is 2,392 foot long and 55 high dam. Behind the dam
is a 2,400 acre Lake Aldred, a popular boating and recreation
area.
Interior view of the Holtwood Hydroelectric Station.
Here is a new turbine for the plant.
Note the size of this used turbine next to the man.
Water intake area for the Holtwood plant.
Susquehanna River that powers the plant .
Advantages
of Hydroelectricity
A major advantage of hydroelectricity is
it's low cost.
The water is a renewable resource - it can
be used again.
Hydroelectricity does not create pollution
because it is not using a fossil fuel.
A dam needs to be built for hydroelectricity
process to start. The dam creates a lake which can be used for
irrigation. The dam that is built can also prevent a flood.
Hydroelectricity plants last longer then
the fossil fuel plants.
The efficiency rate of hydroelectricity plants
are two times greater then fossil fuel plants, which causes hydroelectricity
to cost less.
Hydroelectric plants have low maintenance
costs, and do not need many workers to run them.
Disadvantages
of Hydroelectricity
If there is a drought less electricity will
be produced.
Fishing companies suffer because some fish
will die with the use of a dam.
Environmentalists are concerned about effects
of a dam on the environment.
When the dam needs to be built, it is necessary
to relocate people - which is very expensive. The roads that
go through the flooded area will need to be detoured.
To build a dam for the plant, it would cost
a lot of money.
Other Pennsylvania hydroelectric
plants
Other Pennsylvania hydroelectric plants include
Wallenpaupack Hydroelectric Station (on the border of Wayne and
Pike Counties) and Safe Harbor Hydroelectric Station ( Lancaster
County).
