What is hydroelectric power plant? Write down its advantages and disadvantages
Hydroelectric power plant: A conventional renewable source of energy is obtained from water falling from a great height. Dams are constructed to collect water flowing in high altitude rivers. The stored water has a lot of potential energy. When water is allowed to fall from a height, potential energy changes to kinetic energy, which rotates the turbines to produce electricity. Advantages: It is clean and non polluting source of energy. Hydropower is renewable source of energy. Disadvantages: Highly expensive to construct. Dams cannot be constructed on all river sites. Large areas of human habitation and agricultural fields get submerged. People face social and environmental problems.
