Ohau C facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ohau C |
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Location | Canterbury |
| Coordinates | 44°20′31″S 170°10′56″E / 44.34194°S 170.18222°E |
| Status | Operational |
| Commission date | 1984-85 |
| Owner(s) | Meridian Energy |
Ohau C is a big power station in the South Island of New Zealand. It helps make electricity for homes and businesses. This station is run by a company called Meridian Energy.
Ohau C works closely with another power station called Ohau B. They are like a team! Both are part of a larger group of power stations. This group is known as the Waitaki hydro scheme. There are eight power stations in this scheme. They are all controlled from a special centre near a town called Twizel.
Water is super important for Ohau C. It flows from Lake Ruataniwha first. Then, it goes through Ohau B. After that, it reaches Ohau C. Finally, the water flows into Lake Benmore. This journey of water helps create power!
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What is Ohau C?
Ohau C is a type of power station called a hydroelectric station. This means it uses the power of moving water to make electricity. It's a clean and renewable way to get energy. The station started working in 1984-1985. It has four special machines that help make power.
How Hydroelectric Power Works
Making electricity from water is quite clever. Here's how it generally works at places like Ohau C:
- Water Storage: First, a large amount of water is held back. This is usually in a lake or a dam.
- Water Flow: When power is needed, gates are opened. This lets water flow downhill through large pipes.
- Turning Turbines: The fast-moving water pushes against big fan-like machines called turbines. The turbines spin very fast.
- Generating Electricity: The spinning turbines are connected to generators. These generators are like giant dynamos. They turn the movement into electricity.
- Water Returns: After going through the turbines, the water flows out. It then continues its journey downstream.
At Ohau C, water from Lake Ruataniwha flows through Ohau B first. Then it comes to Ohau C. This water spins the turbines. This creates a lot of electricity. Ohau C can make up to 222 megawatts of power. That's enough to power many thousands of homes!
The Waitaki Hydro Scheme
Ohau C is a key part of the Waitaki hydro scheme. This is a big system of power stations. It uses the water from the Waitaki River system. This system includes several lakes and rivers. The scheme stretches across the Canterbury and Otago regions.
Lakes and Rivers in the Scheme
The Waitaki scheme uses a chain of lakes. These lakes store water. They also help control its flow.
- Lake Ruataniwha: This lake feeds water into Ohau B.
- Lake Benmore: After Ohau B and Ohau C, the water flows into Lake Benmore. This is one of New Zealand's largest artificial lakes.
- Other Lakes: The scheme also includes other lakes. These are like Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo. They all work together.
The control centre near Twizel manages all eight power stations. This ensures they work efficiently. They make sure there's enough electricity for everyone.
Meridian Energy
Meridian Energy is the company that owns and runs Ohau C. They are one of New Zealand's largest electricity generators. They focus on making power from renewable sources. These sources include water (hydro), wind, and sun. Their goal is to provide clean energy for the country.
Images for kids
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Ohau C hydroelectric Power station New Zealand
