Itaipu Dam - Foz do Iguacu, Brazil
Posted by: 
geobwong2k
S 25° 24.834 W 054° 35.226
21J E 742708 N 7187026
The Itaipu dam is the largest hydroelectric power plant in the world with an installed power of 14,000 MW.
Waymark Code: WM436G
Location: Paraná, Brazil
Date Posted: 06/30/2008
Views: 101
The Itaipu dam is the largest hydroelectric power plant in the world. In total, the Itaipu dam with its 20 generator units has 14,000 MW of installed power. It was built and by Brazil and Paraguay. Rather that the a traditional multi-country treaty, Itaipu Binacional was formed by both countries to build the dam. The land used to build the dam is considered not part of either country, but a neutral zone, owned by the Itaipu Binacional. Here the people of Brazil and Paraguay work side-by-side to operate the plant.
Since the Itaipu Binacional is a joint venture between Brazil and Paraguay, the each country is entitled to half of the output. Since the electrical needs for Paraguay are quite less than that of Brazil, excess electricity is sold to Brazil. The dam generates over 90% of the electrical needs for Paraguay and over 20% of the needs of Brazil. Since Paraguay's AC is 50Hz and Brazil is 60HZ, the frequency of the electricity must be shifted for 50Hz to 60Hz for Brazil to use.
The electricity is created by 20 turbines. At any time, 18 are in operation and two are shut down for preventative maintenance. The water is delivered to the turbines through 10 meter wide penstocks. Just one of the turbines can generate 715MW which is enough electricity for Paraguay's needs. The rest goes to Brazil.
The dam is consists of three sections. The dam itself where the turbines turn the water into electricity, the spillway where excess water can be bled off during the summer months, and the earthen dam constructed from the rock dug out during construction of the diversion channel.
| Spillways |
The Dam |
Earthen Dam |
 |
 |
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The Spawning Channel allows fish to bypass the dam and travel upstream to spawn without the need to swim against the turbines or learn to climb the cement.