Hydro power is a great way of using water to give us power. As well as being very efficient, huge quantities of power can be created providing the conditions are right. This usually means a large reservoir or water source situated at a point relatively high above the ground, such as a hill, or large dam which gets a continuous feed of water from rainfall or rivers and streams.
Hydro power works when the potential energy stored in the water is converted to kinetic energy. This involves the water flowing at high speed turning a turbine. It is important the pressure of which the water hits the turbine is monitored and adjusted to get the most efficiency. The average efficiency of a hydro generator is about 37%.
When calculating the pressure release of water by the water source, it can be estimated that for every 10m in height difference between the water source and the turbine, the pressure is 1 bar. It is recommended that the minimum height difference is 20m or more to make the hydro generator worth using. The turbine then turns a generator that produces the electricity. The generator should be positioned as close to the water source as possible to keep the friction caused by the plastic pipe on the water to a minimum, so the most pressure is retrieved.
Unfortunately, the site the school is going to be built on is rather flat. Although the river Trent is not far away, there is no way of building a dam or raising the water level. This means there is no potential energy to start the process of hydro power, meaning a hydro generator wouldn't produce any electricity. In addition, the electrical demands of the school are very high, and a hydro power system wouldn't be any where near sustainable and powerful enough to power a school. For these reasons, it is not deemed a useful system to add to the school.
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