NEW ZEALAND PHYSICS TEACHERS' RESOURCE BANK

Hydroelectric Generator

Poster frame from video: In most browsers, Click on image to play OR Right-click on image and "save target as" to your computer, then play in QuickTime, Windows Media Player, or another player.

The operating generator
Abstract
A model hydroelectric generator powered by a garden hose operates a small light
Portable Yes
Principles Illustrated

Conversion of energy, electromagnetic induction, hydroelectricity
NCEA & Science Curriculum
PHYS 2.6, PHYS 2.7
Teacher Guide
Would you like to contribute lesson suggestions? Contact us.
Video
Instructions

Model hydroelectric generators are available commercially. For example, Pasco Scientific markets one (click here).

It is a lot of fun and not terribly difficult to build a small model hydroelectric generator. Do not expect to get much electricity from it.

Contact us for assistance if you would like to build one.

Close up of the generator
Safety

 

As long as small hobby shop motors generating a small voltage are used safety concerns are minimal.

Individual teachers are responsible for safety in their own classes. Even familiar demonstrations should be practised and safety-checked by individual teachers before they are used in a classroom.
Related Resources
Compare to Wind Generators
Example Data

We can provide example data that will allow students to calculate the efficiency of our generator (a few percent). Contact us for details.

The efficiency of the Clyde Dam is rather better than our model. Click here for an analysis of three hydro generators.
Notes

New Zealand gets a lot of its electricity from hydroelectric power plants, and recently the use of small scale hydroelectric generators in remote locations has gained in popularity. Click here for more information about hydroelectric plants. It is also possible to use hydroelectric "batteries" to store energy from other electric power plants. It is interesting for students to see that a lot of water must fall from a substantial height to power a household for a day. See suggested lesson plans for more information. As discussed in the video, very small hydro electric generators are being used in remote locations where the grid is not available.

Credits

This teaching resource was developed by the Te Reo Māori Physics Project with support from

 

  • We thank Contact Energy for useful information and photographs.
  • The photos of Clyde Dam and Cobb Dam in the video were provided by Dr. Gillian Turner at the School of Chemical and Physical Sciences at Victoria University of Wellington.
  • The information and photos concerning the hydroelectric generator at Waipoua are copyright Te Kuwaha, NIWA and Te Roroa and were provided by NIWA.
  • This resource was developed by the Te Reo Māori Physics Project.
  • The New Zealand map shown on the poster frame above is used with permission from www.nz.com.
Copyright

Copyright and fair use statement