How does a hydroelectric power plant use moving water to produce electricity?

Hydroelectric plants generate electricity from moving water. 

Production of Hydroelectricity

• A dam is constructed that holds back water.

• Gates are opened in the dam. This allows water to be pulled through a pipeline that leads to a turbine. A turbine is a machine with a revolving wheel that is turned by water. 

• The rotation of the turbine causes magnets inside a generator to rotate past copper coils. A generator is a machine that converts one form of energy into another. As the magnets rotate past the copper coils, AC current is produced by moving electrons in the copper coils.

• The transformer converts AC current into higher-voltage current. A transformer is a device that reduces or increases AC current voltage.

• The higher-voltage current is carried from the power plant on power lines. 

• Used water is carried downstream in pipelines.