veejõujaamad

Veejõujaamad, also known as hydroelectric power plants, are facilities that harness the energy of flowing or falling water to generate electricity. They are a renewable energy source, as the water cycle naturally replenishes the water used in the process. The fundamental principle behind a veejõujaam is the conversion of potential energy stored in water at a higher elevation into kinetic energy as it flows downwards.

Most veejõujaamad utilize a dam to create a reservoir, which stores water and allows for controlled release. When electricity is needed, water is released from the reservoir and flows through large pipes called penstocks. This flowing water strikes the blades of turbines, causing them to spin. The spinning turbine is connected to a generator, which converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy. The electricity is then transmitted through power lines to homes and businesses.

There are several types of veejõujaamad, including storage power plants, run-of-river power plants, and pumped-storage power plants. Storage power plants, with their dams and reservoirs, are the most common. Run-of-river plants, on the other hand, use the natural flow of a river with minimal water storage. Pumped-storage plants can store energy by pumping water uphill to a reservoir during times of low demand and releasing it to generate electricity when demand is high. Veijõujaamad play a significant role in global electricity production and are valued for their reliability and minimal greenhouse gas emissions during operation.