Hydroelectric Power

Diagram of an HEP Dam

So Why Don’t We Use More? Mainly because you need lots of water and a lot of land where you can build a dam and reservoir, which all takes a LOT of money, time, and construction. Ecological Effects:. Run-of-the-River plants can impact the mobility of fish and other river life.

Nearby industrial and domestic demand provide the necessary high head of water Steep upland gradients or former waterfall Cheap land, sparsely populated Impermeable rock – water does not soak through Narrow valleys are ideal for dam construction and water storage Upland areas where narrow valleys with strong and impermeable rock Large and regular rainfall Relief rainfall ( > 1500mm pa) Low rates of evaporation provides a constant supply of water Found mainly in the north and west of the UK in upland areas REASON HEP REQUIREMENTS

Exam Questions 1998 Q4b Describe and give reasons for the distribution of the HEP stations shown in Fig. 11

2001 H Q 1e Using fig. 21 and 2b and your own knowledge, explain the distribution of HEP stations in Britain