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Lesson 3: Alternative Energy Resources
Hydroelectric Energy
Hydroelectric energy
is also an alternative energy resource.
Hydro- is a prefix meaning water. Moving water contains energy.
The amount of usable energy in moving water depends on how
swiftly the water moves. Most often, a hydroelectric plant
uses a
dam to produce or generate electricity.
Think about—
A river flows toward the ocean.
A dam is built on the river.
The dam holds back the water in the river.
The water is collected in a reservoir.
Water is released from the reservoir. The moving water quickly
flows through turbines at the base of the dam. The force of the
moving water causes the turbines to turn.
Remember the pinwheel? Moving water caused the blades of the
pinwheel to turn. As the turbines at the base of the dam turn, a
generator converts, or changes, the energy of moving water into
electricity.
Photograph by Karen Thompson
Lake Travis, Austin, Texas