HYDROPOWER

HydroPower Basics

The water cycle, driven by the sun, is endless and constantly recharging itself through evaporation, cloud formation, precipitation, and flowing streams and rivers into oceans. This energy can be captured to produce electricity. There are many potential hydropower sites in Sullivan County

HOW IT WORKS

The turbine converts kinetic ("moving") energy into mechanical energy.

The type of turbine selected for a site is based on the height of standing water, called the "head", and the "flow" or volume of water.

There are two types of turbines: impulse and reaction.

IMPULSE TURBINES

These turbines utilize the velocity of the water to move the "runner" or rotating part of the turbine.

An impulse turbine is generally suitable for high head, low flow sites.

REACTION TURBINES

Reaction turbines utilize the combined action of pressure and moving water.

Generally used for sites with lower head and higher flows than compared with impulse turbines.