Hydro Electric Power

The water bodies in the earth which makes up two thirds of the area are potentially never depleting. The water cycle of the earth ensures that the earth has the same amount of water at all times. However if we are able to use the water in a way that would not destroy any of its physical or chemical properties there could no better solution to our energy hassles.

If we are further able to create energy and power out of water there will no worries about our global warming. Many countries in the past have understood the mechanics of moving water and have developed various appliances that make use of water and compressed water.

Hydro electric power is the process of converting moving water into electricity. Water flowing down due to the action of gravity is made to rotate huge turbines on its way to generate hydro electric power. This source of electricity generation is the purest form of generation. Green house gases which are liberated due to partial burning of fossil fuels are no longer in picture. As long as we are able find ways to install hydroelectric turbines in spatial locations the amount of electricity and energy one could derive from water is potentially incalculable!

At present hydroelectricity accounts for about twenty percent of the earth’s power needs. Thus hydroelectricity is a major contributor in the eco friendly energy resource family. United States of America, Canada, Australia and Chile are some of the earliest to use the hydroelectric power as a source of energy.

The most common way of generating hydroelectric power is by making water that is stored in damn to rotate turbines connected to electricity generators. The potential energy of the stored up water is converted into kinetic energy as the water flows, which is made to turn the turbine. After this the mechanical energy of the rotating turbine is converted into electricity.

One other form of energy generation is by using reservoirs in varying altitudes. As water moves from a higher altitude reservoir to a lower altitude one, they are made to activate the turbines. Electricity is generated in surplus using this method. The excess electricity could be used to move the water up to a higher elevated reservoir for future use. Thus a very optimal balance is achieved.

Hydroelectricity generation involves none of the hazardous gas emissions. Further it is easily available. Hydroelectric power plants have better abilities to vary power according to power demands. This is the advantage of having a reservoir near the power house.

China, India Canada, United States and Russia are at the top of hydro power generation. But Norway is one country which is using hydro electric power as the main source of electricity as it caters to more than ninety percent of the countries power needs. Brazil too has a very high percentage of power coming from the hydro electric power projects.

Using the potential of water to create electricity is one of the best alternatives available to us!