Explain how glacial landforms are used to create hydro-electric power in North Wales.
Answers
Answer:
Hydroelectric power in Snowdonia
U-shaped valleys with steep-sided hanging valleys formed from glaciation are a good environment to create hydroelectric power. Cwm Dyli is the location of a hydroelectric power station at the foot of Snowdon. Llyn Llydaw, a corrie over 300 m above Cwm Dyli, receives high rainfall. Water flows down to Cwm Dyli generating hydroelectric power.
Case study: Dinorwig Power Station
Dinorwig power station stores energy when there is an excess amount within the national grid. It releases the energy back into the grid when there are peak demands. Glacial features of the area enable this pumped storage system to work. It uses the corrie of Marchlyn Mawr and the ribbon lake of Llyn Peris.
How it works
Water is held in a reservoir of Marchlyn Mawr on the Elidir Mountain. Llyn Peris is a larger lake, lower down. Water released from the top reservoir creates energy as it flows. This energy feeds the national electricity grid at peak times. The electricity can be supplied within 10 seconds of the demand. The water is pumped back up to the top reservoir using energy from the national grid. It is pumped up during periods of low electricity demand, usually at night.
Explanation: