1. Dam or Reservoir:
A dam is constructed to create a reservoir of water at a higher elevation. The height difference between the water levels creates potential energy, similar to how water stored at a higher point has gravitational potential energy.
2. Penstock:
The penstock is a large pipe or tunnel that carries water from the reservoir to the turbine. The water flows through the penstock with significant force due to the height difference, creating a high-pressure stream.
3. Turbine:
The turbine is the heart of the hydroelectric power plant. It is a rotating device with specially designed blades or buckets that convert the kinetic energy of the flowing water into mechanical energy. The water impinges on the turbine blades, causing them to rotate.
4. Generator:
The rotating shaft of the turbine is connected to a generator. The generator is an electromagnetic device that converts the mechanical energy from the turbine into electrical energy. As the turbine spins, it induces a magnetic field in the generator, leading to the generation of electricity.
So, the driving force behind hydroelectric power is the flow of water from a higher elevation to a lower elevation, typically achieved by constructing a dam and creating a reservoir. This flow of water generates kinetic energy, which is harnessed by the turbine to generate rotational motion. In turn, the turbine drives the generator, converting the mechanical energy into electrical energy.
