Prof Marc F. Muller
Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Science
University of Notre Dame
https://www.marcfmuller.com
What is infrastructure?
What is behind your wall socket?
What is behind your wall socket?
What is behind your wall socket?
What is behind your wall socket?
Wires
Magnet
Axis
MOVEMENT
ELECTRICITY
A Dynamo or “generator” is a motor in reverse
PRIMARY ENERGY SOURCE
What kind of primary energy sources are there?
Combustion: Oil, Gas, Coal, Wood, Alcohol, Waste…
HOT!!
COLD!!
Nuclear Fission
HOT!!
HOT!!
COLD!!
Geothermal
No combustion, so no waste and emissions
HOT!!
COLD!!
Solar (concentrated)
HOT!!
COLD!!
Solar (PV)
Wind
Hydropower
So, which primary energy source do we use??
INDIANA
CALIFORNIA
USA
Components of a hydropower dam
Turbine Hall
Turbine
You can chose how many turbines to “turn on”!
Water intake
Components of a hydropower dam
Colorado river…
What do you need to increase to produce more electricity?
Congratulations: you are now a dam manager!
Your task: Chose how many turbines to turn on to produce as much electricity as possible and prevent the dam from overflowing!
https://shorturl.at/hCLQ6
Dams can produce electricity, prevent floods and store water!
… but they also have major issues. Which ones?
https://youtu.be/eGzdOpCisnQ