Hydroelectric Dam

This simulation shows how falling water makes electricity. A reservoir sits behind a dam, and water runs down a penstock to spin a turbine and generator. Two sliders set how far the gate is open and how high the water level is. Readouts show the flow, the speed of water in the penstock, the electrical power and the energy produced in a day. Students see that both the amount of water and the height it falls from matter, which makes it useful for energy transfer and renewable energy lessons.

• Raise Gate opening and watch Flow Q and Electrical power increase.
• Lower Water level (head) and see how Penstock water speed and power drop.
• Close the gate to 0 percent and check what happens to the turbine.
• Find a gate and head setting that gives about the same power in two different ways.
• Read Energy per day for a high-head and a low-head setting and compare them.

1. 1Trace the energy transfers from stored water to electricity in a dam.
2. 2Explain how head and flow rate both affect power output.
3. 3Compare the output of a dam at high and low water levels.
4. 4Describe hydroelectric power as a renewable energy source.

Questions teachers ask