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Advances in Hydroelectric Power Technology

Jeffrey Havelin, P.E.


Course Outline

This course will review the hydropower principles, present and future applications, and various design criteria. Hydropower, also known as hydroelectric power, is a reliable, domestic, emission-free resource that is renewable through the hydrologic cycle and harnesses the natural energy of flowing water to provide clean, fast, flexible electricity generation. Hydropower, one of our nation's most important renewable energy resources, has grown over the last century from 45 hydroelectric facilities in 1886 to more than 2,000 facilities in 50 states and Puerto Rico that contribute approximately 80,000 megawatts (MW) to our nation's electrical capacity. That represents about 10% of our country's electrical generating capability and provides more than 75% of the electricity generated from renewable sources.

Water power - it can cut deep canyons, chisel majestic mountains, quench parched lands, and transport tons - and it can generate enough electricity to light up millions of homes and businesses around the world. Hydropower, also known as hydroelectric power, is a reliable, domestic, emission-free resource that is renewable through the hydrologic cycle and harnesses the natural energy of flowing water to provide clean, fast, flexible electricity generation. Hydropower, one of our nation's most important renewable energy resources, has grown over the last century from 45 hydroelectric facilities in 1886 to more than 2,000 facilities in 50 states and Puerto Rico that contribute approximately 80,000 megawatts (MW) to our nation's electrical capacity. That represents about 10% of our country's electrical generating capability and provides more than 75% of the electricity generated from renewable sources.

This course is based entirely on "Hydropower -Setting a Course for our Energy Future", July 2004, U.S. Department of Energy- Publication DOE/GO-102004-1981. This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of course materials. You will be quizzed on the attached document in its entirety.


Learning Objective

At the conclusion of the course the student will be knowledgeable in the following topics about hydropower technology:


Intended Audience

This is an introductory course that would be very informative for engineers who are interested in learning about hydroelectric energy concepts.


Course Introduction

This course will review the hydroelectric power design concepts, present and future applications, and various advances in this technology.


Course Content

This course is based entirely on the "Hydropower - Setting a Course for Our Energy Future", July 2004- Published by the U.S. Department of Energy Publication DOE/GO-102004-1981.

The link to the course materials is as follows:

"Hydropower - Setting a Course for Our Energy Future"


Please click on the above underlined hypertext to view, download or print the document for your study. Because of the large file size, we recommend that you first save the file to your computer by right clicking the mouse and choosing "Save Target As ...", and then open the file in Adobe Acrobat Reader.


Course Summary

At the completion of this class the design professional should understand the principles, construction, and operation of fuel cells.


Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.