How a hydroelectric dam makes electricity
In short: Water held high behind a dam falls through a turbine, which drives a generator.
1. A dam holds water in a reservoir, higher than the river below. 2. A large pipe, the penstock, carries water from the reservoir to the turbine. 3. The falling water drives a water turbine. 4. The turbine turns a generator, which produces electricity. 5. The power depends on the volume of water and the height it falls.
Sources: Wikipedia, “Hydroelectricity (Wikipedia)” (CC BY-SA 4.0). Illustrative, not to scale.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Hydroelectricity
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