The meaning of water
power in Finland
Water power is a pure and a renewable form of power.
Water power has traditionally played a big part in the production
of electricity in Finland. The share of water power differs annualy
according to water supply.
In 2005 it was 16 %. Most of the Finnish water power plants were
built in the 1950´s and 1960´s. At that time over 60
water power plants were built and most of them were set up in Southern
Finland. The water power´s role has changed from producer
of basic power to producer of controlled power. The biggest water
power plants in Finland are situated in the city of Imatra. The
water power plant’s efficiency is 168 MW. There are over 200
water power plants in Finland. The combined power of the plants
is about 3000 MW.
Water power can be divided into three different groups
according to the power plants’ efficiency:
large, small and mini water power plants.
Technical aspects
The principle of producing water power is to change
the flowing water´s motion energy into the rotor´s rotation
energy. Rotation energy is transformed into electricity by the generator.
Because Finnish waterfalls are small and streams are
large dams have been built to facilitate the use of water power.
With the help of the dams it has been possible to centralize spesific
falls of rivers to fall in one place.
Efficiency in the water power is really good and
power plant´s care costs is low. The production of water power
can be adjust easy and fast. Consumption of electricity is at its
largest in winter but the water flow is at its smallest.
By regulating water supplies the production of electricity
can be moved to the times when it is consumed. Because it is fast
and easy to regulate water power, water power is an excellent correction
power.
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