In 2006, a unique hydropower museum was opened in the Russian city of Uglich. It is located next to the city hydroelectric power station, which is the most powerful in Russia. The Hydropower Museum in Uglich tells not only about the city’s hydroelectric power stations, but also about similar structures throughout Russia and the world.
History of Electricity
The museum will not only show you, but also talk about how electricity developed in Russia. This story will not be boring, as we are used to, but very interesting for adults and children. In general, the concept of the museum itself is very unusual, since many exhibits can and should be touched.
In fact, any self-respecting person should know how electricity appeared and developed, because it had a tremendous impact on world progress. The city of St. Petersburg became lucky, because it was there that the first street lamps appeared that were placed on Nevsky Prospekt.
GOELRO Plan
Russia lagged behind other countries in terms of electrification, so in the twenties of the 20th century the authorities developed the GOELRO plan. According to him, 30 hydroelectric power stations were to be built in the Soviet Union. They were going to implement the grandiose plan in 15 years.
No one believed that the Soviet authorities would be able to carry out their plans in such a short time. However, to everyone's surprise, 40 stations were built in order to generate electricity over a fifteen-year period. After that, the USSR took the second place in electric production in the world and the first place in Europe.
In the first hall of the Museum of the History of Hydropower of Russia there is an interactive map that shows the location of all operating hydropower plants in the country. In total, the map contains 170 light points, each of which indicates a hydroelectric power station.
The story of the "cable of life"
The Volkhov hydroelectric power station has an exciting history , which was built one of the first and began its work in 1926. During the Second World War, when Leningrad was surrounded by fascists, this station was the only one not captured, therefore it was it that provided power to the besieged city.
In order to safely connect the hydroelectric power station to the city, it was decided to lay the cable along the bottom of Lake Ladoga, because under water it was not subject to enemy attacks from the air. The cable length was 123 kilometers. He was given the name "cable of life." Since men were in the service, children and women were engaged in laying communications. By the way, one meter of cable oars 50 kilograms, since in its manufacture additional materials were used that provided protection from water.
Siberian pride
Have you heard of the Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric power station? But she is listed in the Guinness Book of Records for its reliability. The platinum of the structure is 245 meters. Among other hydroelectric power stations, it ranks ninth in terms of capacity, because more than 9,000 million cubic meters were allocated for its construction. m. concrete! The Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric power station confirmed its reliability during the earthquake in 2011, which did not cause any serious damage.
Interesting Facts
The machine room of the Saratov Hydroelectric Power Station has a length of more than a kilometer, so movement on it is carried out by bicycle. By the way, the director of this station is a woman. Another proof that women are not the least involved in hydropower plants is the fact that the first store with electric lighting was just the lingerie store in St. Petersburg, which is located on Bolshaya Morskaya.
One of the layouts clearly demonstrates the operation of a hydroelectric power station. For convenience, this layout is presented in section. To see the whole process of functioning of a hydropower plant, you need to “feed” the model by throwing 10 rubles.
The effect of the reservoir on the Volga
The history of the reservoir in the city of Uglich is fascinating. Previously, the depth of the Volga in these places was two meters. However, after the creation of the reservoir, the river became navigable, which brought many negative consequences. In particular, seven cities and 663 settlements were flooded, but they have been located here for centuries. Among the flooded buildings is the Pokrovsky Paisiev Monastery.
Reservoir functioning
The Uglich Museum of Hydropower has an interactive layout that clearly shows the operation of a fully mechanized dam. In nine minutes, the water rises 13 meters and returns to its original place in the next seven minutes. The process of lifting the ship with tourists to such a height in a few minutes can be watched live.
Prisoners builders
In one of the halls of the Uglich Museum of Hydropower, exhibits are dedicated to prisoners who were involved in the construction of a hydroelectric power station. You might think that prisoners are people who have committed a great sin, but, unfortunately, this was most often not the case. Indeed, at that time it was possible to get under arrest for a banal delay in work or for a joke.
The prisoners involved in the construction of a hydroelectric station in the city of Uglich were placed in the Volgolag camp, which totaled 85 thousand people. Only some of them managed to survive until they were released from custody. The Uglich Museum of Hydropower has a model with wooden barracks, which are limited by barbed wire. You can also see the books, notes and clothes of prisoners. The composition of the daily diet of prisoners is terrifying.
About saving
The Uglich Museum of Hydropower has a rack dedicated to saving electricity. Here you will see various posters and patriotic leaflets of the last century. All of them - with an appeal to take care of state property, overfulfill the electrification plan and save electricity.
Interesting layouts
The Machine Hall receives the best reviews from the Uglich Museum of Hydropower. It presents models of modern hydropower plants. You can understand the principle of operation of the stations in a few minutes, since the models clearly show the entire process of functioning. There are two types of hydroelectric power stations: tidal and hydroaccumulative.
Among other things, the museum has an interactive center. Adults and children are interested in viewing luminous cards and studying the programs presented. Visitors have the opportunity to develop a hydroelectric station according to their ideas and generate electricity. In one of the halls there are fountains and water mills.
The exhibits are located even on the street. For example, a water pump, which was made in 1940. Children will be interested in various manipulations with the turbine control panel. Such a museum would be interesting not only for adults, but also for children.
It is no secret that, in addition to water, other natural sources can be used to generate electricity. The museum presents mock-ups that show the principle of using solar and wind energy.
Address of the Museum of Hydropower: Uglich, st. Spasskaya, d. 33