Water, Water Everywhere: Hydrodynamic Power - Essay Example

Water, Water Everywhere: Hydrodynamic Power The Overview and Principle behind the Energy Generation Hydrodynamic comes out as a very innovative and highly patented technology used for electric power generation. It makes use of nature’s resource, water, and phenomena of Perpetual Gravity Force (PGF). During the energy generation in using this method, the system continuously converts Hydrostatic Pressure Potential Energy (HPPE), which exists in an infinite manner in a column of water. The technology in use promotes and changes the potential energy into kinetic energy, in a hydrodynamic cycle process; it makes use of advanced hydro-mechanical process kinematics. The result of this has been a revolutionary engineering process system for used to generate pure energy and that which is emission free, and thereby supplying the power continuously The systems function with base loads or distributed generation. It also works on environmentally friendly and cost-effective life-cycle. The hydro-power generating plants are stationed on a fixed utility scale distributed generators and within the proximity of sub-stations so established (Krahenbuhl 38). Because of this, it alleviates the power transmission power losses from the poles and transmission wires. This makes this source of power an ideal and more viable solution for off-grid base load and the electrification of remote areas The Principle The hydrodynamic power is generated from a moving source of water which could be rivers [mostly] and other bodies such as oceans. This type of power generation is dependent on two major water cycles. The two key ones being the natural water cycle and that which resides in the hydroelectric power stations. As for the natural water cycle, there exist the water bodies on the earth surface in the form of rivers, oceans, lakes and even ponds. During and especially on a sunny day, the sun heats the water bodies causing vaporization from these surfaces. The vapour rises and condenses upon cooling in the high skies. The precipitated water then falls back on to the earth surface, and the rain water rejoins the water bodies from which it had earlier vaporized (Krahenbuhl 34). Though this chain of processes, natural water cycle is created which ensures continued existence of the on surface water bodies. Notably, all these processes are seasonal with much of the evaporation occurring during the dry seasons while the precipitation and the raining occur during the cold seasons. The water cycle in the hydroelectric power stations, on the other hand, occurs in a different way. The water so maintained by the natural water cycle in the rivers and oceans have both kinetic and potential energy. The kinetic energy is the energy in the water due to its very motion while the potential energy is the energy due to high level of the water its high level. Both the two forms of energy are used to generate electricity depending on the type of the hydroelectric power plant in use. The most common structure used to generate the electric power is the dam. The dams are usually constructed across large rivers, and water from the constructed dams gets channeled to the main electric power plant specially designed strong pipes, at times called penstocks. In the main plant, there are located large turbines which are turned around through the force of the water turbulence. Shafts in the turbines rotate in the electric generators and thereby generate electricity. It is then from these huge generators that the electricity generated is conveyed to transformers where it is transferred to the national grid. In a roundabout manner, the water from the turbines finds its back to the river at the lower levels. The uses Industrial Companies- once the electricity has been generated passed through to the transformers and finally sent to the national grid, it can then be distributed to the various industries, where it is applicable in manufacturing processes such as tanning and spinning. Other portions are also distributable to such companies as the mining firms. Private use- hydrodynamic power can also be used by individuals for personal uses such as in the personal offices and running of various electrical appliances in personal places of businesses. Lighting- the use of hydrodynamic power in the provision of light in the residential has been widely adopted across many countries. The provision of lighting also extends to the government offices and the streets of cities, towns and even urban centers. In the perspective of carbon, hydro power is also acceptable and widely used in burning of fossil fuels. Water mills- This has been another area where the application of hydro power has bee of use to the humans. Being a very environmentally friendly source of power, the hydro power can be harnessed to turn heavy water mills, used to grind a large number of products. Food preparing- still in the perspective of the generation of electricity, the so produced electric power has been and is used more often than, not in preparation of human food using state of the art equipment such as the microwaves and ovens used in bakeries (Krahenbuhl 37). Plant development:- in agriculture, electric light is used to extend the crop day-lengths for those plants that require more than twelve hours of the natural lighting to undergo complete flowering phases. This idea is extensively used in floriculture production especially in the countries lying in the Polar Regions. How it would lead to independence on fossil fuel imports Reducing or totally eliminating the dependence on the fossil fuel imports require that the United States design ways of enhancing these other alternative sources of energy, key among them is the Hydrodynamic power. One of the ways of enhancing hydrodynamic power is the use of small scale turbines, which are stationed on moving water bodies to generate electricity (Krahenbuhl 43). These produce electric energy without causing the blockage of the waterways. In this way, the system builds huge reserves of energy stored in water just behind the dams. Again, to enhance the availability of the hydrodynamic power, there is a need to produce it at a lower cost. Production of much more hydrodynamic power at a lower cost must be the focus of the United States of America. As such, researchers, must work on how to tap and take advantage of the slow moving water and in much smaller water bodies (Krahenbuhl 36). In fact, the Federal government of United States of America has lately identified this as an untapped source of energy. This is even more enabled by the fact that America has a very well established water infrastructure providing a great deal of hydrodynamic power potential. Research indicates that the highest amount of potential shows in Colorado among other selected states. Reclamation of water towers and catchment area – concerning this, the United States need to invest in water catchment areas reclamation efforts to assist in the sustenance and preservation of the existing water bodies. So far, a study conducted by the United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation found out that over 1.5 million megawatts –hours of the renewable energy could be generated through hydropower without necessarily constructing other environmentally questionable large dams. America should develop an integrated business management approach. This is a well-coordinated approach that sees to it that major systems upgrade and other routine management activities of the hydrodynamic power projects is effectively and jointly carried out. Participants in such ventures are to be the Federal agencies of the government and the major consumers of the electric power such as the factories and business firms. In making this a reality however, an incentive approach should be developed to reward the stakeholders in cases when the desired targets are attained or surpassed (Krahenbuhl 45). Reviewing and Mapping the hydro strategy with the strategic plan- once a hydroelectricity strategic plan has been drawn, there is a need for the Federal government to review continuously, and map the hydro strategy with the background plan at predetermined intervals. This help in ensuring the success with the plan by continuously revising the strategy as and according to the market demand. Work Cited Krahenbuhl, R. Environmental Dynamics: Hydrodynamics. Chicago, University of Chicago, 2011. Print. Read More