Model Hydroelectric Generator | Hiko-ā-Awa
Introduction
Abstract
A model hydroelectric generator powered by a garden hose operates a small light.
Principles Illustrated
Conversion of energy, electromagnetic induction, hydroelectricity.
Content
Video
English version
Te Reo Māori Version
Instructions
Model hydroelectric generators are available commercially.
It is a lot of fun and not terribly difficult to build a small model hydroelectric generator. But do not expect to get much electricity from it. Contact us for assistance if you would like to build one.
Further Resources
We can provide example data that will allow students to calculate the efficiency of our generator (a few percent). Contact us for details. The efficiency of the Clyde Dam is rather better than our model. Within this folder, you will find an analysis of three hydro generators.
New Zealand gets a lot of its electricity from hydroelectric power plants, and recently the use of small scale hydroelectric generators in remote locations has gained in popularity. You will more information about hydroelectric generators within this folder. It is also possible to use “hydroelectric batteries” to store energy from other electric power plants. It is interesting for students to see that a lot of water must fall from a substantial height to power a household for a day. See the suggested lesson plans within this folder for more information. As discussed in the video, very small hydro electric generators are being used in remote locations where the grid is not available..
Other Information
Safety
As long as small hobby shop motors generating a small voltage are used safety concerns are minimal.
Individual teachers are responsible for safety in their own classes. Even familiar demonstrations should be practised and safety-checked by individual teachers before they are used in a classroom.
Related Resources
Compare to Model Wind Generators.
Credits
This teaching resource was developed by the Te Reo Māori Physics Project with support from
- Te Puni Kōkiri
- The MacDiarmid Institute
- Faculty of Science, Victoria University of Wellington
- School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington
- The New Zealand map shown on the poster frame above is used with permission from www.nz.com.
- We thank Contact Energy for useful information and photographs.
- The photos of Clyde Dam and Cobb Dam in the video were provided by Dr. Gillian Turner at the School of Chemical and Physical Sciences at Victoria University of Wellington
- The information and photos concerning the hydroelectric generator at Waipoua are copyright Te Kuwaha, NIWA and Te Roroa and were provided by NIWA