Hydroelectric Generation

Hydroelectric generation is the predominant form of electric generation in Canada (nearly two-thirds of power generated each year uses this process). A major part of the economic history of Canada throughout the 20th century consisted of the development of sites with large hydroelectric potential. This sequence started with sites found close to population (such as Niagara and Shawinigan) around the year 1900, and largely ended with the development of huge sites in the northern parts of several provinces in the 1960s and 1970s. There have been relatively few large hydro sites developed since that time as the environmental and human effects to be avoided or mitigated in such large projects make them increasingly difficult and costly to plan and build.

Figure 1 gives details about the nature and process of hydroelectric power generation. Hydroelectric energy is produced by the force of falling water. The capacity to produce this energy is dependent on both the available flow and the height from which it falls. Building up behind a high dam, water accumulates potential energy. This is transformed into mechanical energy when the water rushes down the sluice and strikes the blades of turbines. The turbine's rotation spins electromagnets which generate current in stationary coils of wire. Finally, the current is put through a transformer where the voltage is increased for long distance transmission over power lines.

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Figure 1. Process of Hydroelectric Power Generation

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