Which produces more power from the same energy input -- flowing water or blowing wind? Both are renewable sources but their efficiency differs.
You set up two small generators powered by the same wattage. One uses a 15-watt water pump to spin a water wheel. The other uses a 15-watt fan to spin turbine blades.
You measure the output voltage and current from each generator. Then you calculate efficiency to see which one converts more input energy into electricity.
Hypothesis
The hypothesis is that hydro power generation is more efficient than wind power generation.
A water wheel generator and a wind turbine generator each receive 15 watts of input power, but they don't produce the same electrical output. You measure the output voltage and current from each, then calculate how much of that input energy each device turns into usable electricity. The comparison reveals which generator converts more of its input into the kind of energy you actually want.
This project compares wind energy to hydropower by using a 15-watt fan to spin turbine blades connected to a generator. You measure the output voltage and current to calculate which source converts more input energy into electricity.
When you connect a 15-watt water pump to a water wheel, the moving water spins the wheel and generates electricity. That spinning wheel is the definition in action: moving water converted directly into usable energy. By measuring the output voltage and current, you can calculate how efficiently your water pump generator converts input energy compared to a fan spinning turbine blades.
Method & Materials
You will build a dam across a river and use a generator to convert the potential and kinetic energy of the water into electric power. You will also build a wind turbine and measure the voltage, ampere and calculate the power.
You will need a 15W fan, a 15W water pump, a dynamo fitted with blades, a dynamo fitted with water wheel, a pail, a large basin, tap water, a knife, a 5.25ohm resistor, an ammeter, and a voltmeter.
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The results showed that hydropower generation produced electric power more efficiently than wind power. This proves that the hypothesis is true.
Why do this project?
This science project is interesting because it allows students to compare two renewable energy sources and measure the efficiency of each.
Also Consider
Experiment variations include comparing the viability of other renewable sources of energy like solar power or wave power, and varying the height of the pail or the distance of the turbine blade from the fan.
Full project details
Additional information and source material for this project are available below.
