Electricity generation from a dam involves the following steps:
1. Water Storage: A dam is constructed across a river to store water. The water is accumulated behind the dam in a reservoir, creating a large water source.
2. Water Release: When the need for electricity arises, gates in the dam are opened to release water from the reservoir. The force of gravity propels the water down through a penstock, a large pipe or tunnel.
3. Turbine: The rushing water flows through the penstock and strikes the blades of a turbine. The turbine is a large mechanical device with rotating blades. The force of the water causes the blades to rotate rapidly.
4. Electrical Generation: The rotating shaft of the turbine is connected to a generator. As the turbine spins, the generator also rotates. Inside the generator, there are coils of wire, and the spinning motion of the generator causes the magnets inside to move relative to the coils, creating an electric current.
5. Transmission: The generated electricity is then transmitted to consumers through power lines, transforming it to a higher voltage for efficient transmission over long distances.
6. Return to River: After passing through the turbine, the water is discharged into the river downstream. This ensures a sustainable flow and maintains the natural ecosystem of the river.
By harnessing the gravitational potential energy of the water stored in the dam, the kinetic energy of flowing water is converted into mechanical energy and eventually electrical energy, thus generating electricity from a dam.
How is electricity generated from a dam
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