Hydro energy, also known as hydropower, is the use of falling or fast-running water to produce electricity or to power machines. It is one of the oldest and largest sources of renewable energy, and it is a method of sustainable energy production. Hydro energy is generated by converting the gravitational potential or kinetic energy of a water source to produce power. The key features of hydro energy include:
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Hydroelectricity: This is the biggest application of hydropower, which generates about 15% of global electricity and provides at least 50% of the total electricity supply for more than 35 countries.
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Run-of-the-river systems: This is a type of hydroelectric power generation where the force of the rivers current applies pressure on a turbine.
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Pumped-storage hydropower facilities: This is a type of hydroelectric storage system where water is pumped from a water source up to a storage reservoir at a higher elevation and is released from the upper reservoir to power hydro turbines located below the upper reservoir.
Hydro energy is an attractive alternative to fossil fuels as it does not directly produce carbon dioxide or other atmospheric pollutants, and it provides a relatively consistent source of power. Nonetheless, it has economic, sociological, and environmental downsides and requires a sufficiently energetic source of water, such as a river or elevated lake. Compared to other electricity sources, hydro energy also has relatively low costs throughout the duration of a full project lifetime in terms of maintenance, operations, and fuel.
