Hydropower, Facts about hydropower energy, Renewable energy, Economy Watch

By: EconomyWatch   Date: 30 April 2010

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The power that remains in the moving water is commonly known as hydropower. This energy is captured and used for different purposes. The power of water was used by man from a long time.

In the early days, water mills and water wheels were very common. This power was also used for purposes like mining, sawing timber and a lot more. At present, hydropower is a major source of electricity. The hydroelectricity costs very low and it can be carried to a long way through cables.

For the purpose of converting kinetic energy into mechanical energy, the hydropower plants are established. These plants are set up near the waterfalls or the dams. The hydropower plants actually capture the energy that remains in the water and then produces electricity through it.

For the purpose of transforming the kinetic energy in mechanical energy, the turbines are used in the hydropower plants.

Once the energy is transformed, the generators are used to make electricity from the mechanical energy.

There are different types of hydroplants that are used for the purpose of generating electricity. There are micro-dams, giant dams and a lot more. The hydroelectric plants are divided in different parts. These are the dam, generator, turbine, transmission lines and a lot more.

The dams are an important part of the process of capturing the hydropower and transforming it into electricity. The dams are made to increase the water level that can create falling water. These are also important in maintaining the flow of water. The generators are linked with the turbines and transform the mechanical energy into electricity.

On the other hand, the turbines are set to transform the kinetic energy of the river into mechanical energy. At last, when the electricity has been produced by the joint efforts of the turbines and the generators, it is carried to the consumers through the transmission lines. The electric producing capacity of a hydropower plant is related to a number of factors like the falling height of the water as well as the amount of water.


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