Hydro Power

Hydro power  is energy that comes from the force of moving water. The fall and movement of water is part of a continuous natural cycle called the water cycle.

Hydropower is called a renewable energy source because the water on Earth is continuously replenished by precipitation. As long as the water cycle continues, we won’t run out of this energy source.

A typical hydropower plant is a system with three parts:

• a power plant where the electricity is produced;
• a dam that can be opened or closed to control water flow; and
• a reservoir (artificial lake) where water can be stored.

To generate electricity, a dam opens its gates to allow water from the reservoir above to flow down through large tubes called penstocks. At the bottom of the penstocks, the fast-moving water spins the blades of turbines. Finally, the turbines are connected to generators to produce electricity.