Humans have been harnessing the energy of river currents for centuries, using water wheels spun by rivers initially to process grains and cloth. When you reach out to him or her, you will need the page title, URL, and the date you accessed the resource. Hoover Dam in Nevada – source pixabay.com. Hydroelectric energy is the electricity produced using the kinetic power of the falling or fast-flowing water that is turned into mechanical energy … The water can be used to turn the blades of a turbine to generate electricity, which is distributed to the power plant’s customers. People have used this force for millennia. The dam is 2,335 meters (7,660 feet) long and 185 meters (607 feet) tall, and has enough generators to produce 22,500 megawatts of power. Text on this page is printable and can be used according to our Terms of Service. As we begin to move away from fossil fuels, hydropower has a huge Jeanna Sullivan, National Geographic Society, Sarah Appleton, National Geographic Society This plant collects the energy produced from solar, wind, and nuclear power and stores it for future use. physical force by which objects attract, or pull toward, each other. Water gains potential energy just before it spills over the top of a dam or flows down a hill. Hydroelectric energy is the most commonly-used renewable source of electricity. National Geographic Headquarters “Hydro” comes from the Greek word for water. How Widely Is Hydroelectric Energy Used Around the World? Hydroelectric energy is power made by moving water. Reegle Definition Hydro power is electrical energy produced through the power of moving water. Hydroelectric power and its importance in history as a reliable source of renewable energy aptly demonstrate the potential contribution to our future energy needs. Also called hydroelectric energy or hydroelectric power. If a media asset is downloadable, a download button appears in the corner of the media viewer. Most hydroelectric power plants have a reservoir of water, a gate or valve to control how much water flows out of the reservoir, and an outlet or place where the water ends up after flowing downward. Terms of Service | The plant stores energy by pumping water uphill from a pool at a lower elevation to a reservoir located at a higher elevation. Hydroelectric energy is a form of renewable energy that uses the power of moving water to generate electricity. During the ancient times, water had been used to turn the turbines for grinding flours and If no button appears, you cannot download or save the media. The Rights Holder for media is the person or group credited. power generated by moving water converted to electricity. China is the largest producer of hydroelectricity. Power obtained from the (typically gravitational) movement of water., Hydropower plants derive energy from the force of moving water and harness this energy for useful purposes. Any interactives on this page can only be played while you are visiting our website. In an impoundment facility, a dam is used to control the flow of water stored in a pool or reservoir. Each energy resource has its advantages and disadvantages. The mechanical energy of moving water is transferred by a rotating turbine to a generator, where it is converted to electric energy and conveyed along transmission lines. As this water flows back down to the lower reservoir, it turns a turbine to generate more electricity. The energy of flowing water is used for rotating the water-wheels and drive water-mills to grind wheat to make flour. Sustainability Policy | The third type of plant is called a pumped-storage facility. She or he will best know the preferred format. © 1996 - 2020 National Geographic Society.
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