Hydrostatic head
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
When generating hydropower, the head is a general term used to describe the distance that a given water source has to fall before the point where power is generated. Ultimately the force responsible for hydropower is gravity, so a hydroelectricity plant with a tall/high head can produce more energy than a similar plant with a short/low head. The difference is immediately apparent if you compare the Hoover Dam in Colorado with the Aswan Dam in Egypt. In short, a larger head allows water to fall a greater distance, which in turn allows more kinetic energy to accumulate. That energy is then harnessed by a water wheel or water turbine to create usable hydropower.
[edit] See also
- Hydraulic head for a more technical description of the physical principle of hydraulics
[edit] References
- U.S. Bureau of Reclamation: Glossary (See “Head”)
- U.S. Minerals Management Service: Glossary (See “Hydraulic head”]
- Society of Petrophysicists & Well Log Analysts: Glossary (See “Hydraulic head”)
- Keidel.com: “Pressure vs. Head”
