The most common large scale hydro power systems are incorporated into dams and reservoirs. Stored water is released down chutes in the dams containing turbines; as the turbines work electricity is created. The potential energy of the stored water is transformed into usable power. This is a relatively simple method that has been used for centuries: in the past waterwheels have powered mills, and the at the start of the industrial revolution the main method of powering factories, especially in areas where iron and steel were being processed, was hydro power. Now, though, giant hydroelectric power stations are being constructed to provide energy in place of conventional sources such as fossil fuels, the prime example being the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River in China. At the time of writing providing three percent of the energy needs of the whole of China, this is a truly stupendous engineering achievement.

Other large scale systems are beginning to be implemented in tidal and coastal areas. Tidal barrage systems operate across the mouths of river estuaries, where the ebb and flow of the tide can be exploited to provide energy. Wave farms operate on the open ocean, with floating turbines moored in areas where wave activity is strong enough to generate electricity efficiently but not so strong that there is a risk of damage to the turbines. Being less familiar than hydroelectric dams, these systems are taking longer to design and implement but could prove to be an effective solution for countries with extensive coastlines.

The benefits of such hydro power systems are clear: once constructed, the energy produced is cheap and clean when compared to other power sources; the amount of pollution produced is minimal. There are, however, negatives. The construction of hydroelectricity systems can lead to environmental problems: the building of the aforementioned Three Gorges Dam led to the displacement of millions of people and the submerging of the habitats of endangered species such as the Siberian Crane. Also, tidal barrage systems have also been criticised for their potential to upset the ecological balance of the estuaries in which they are located, though system designers have responded by promising to attempt to minimise such disruption.

Despite these problems, it is clear that hydro power is an attractive option for future provision of energy, especially in coastal countries. Problems associated with other forms of energy will ensure that one of mankind’s oldest power sources will continue to be exploited well into the twenty-first century.

To find out more about hydro power, including the emergence of small scale systems usable by businesses and homeowners, visit http://www.electricitygeneration.co.uk – This site also contains information on a wide variety of conventional and non-conventional energy sources, allowing the visitor to assess how they can ensure their power needs are met for years to come.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Drabble

So what is hydro power?

Well, basically it is the generation of electricity by using the natural force of water.

And how is hydro power generated ?

It is generated in 3 different ways: hydroelectric power, tidal power, and wave power.

Hydroelectric Power:

This is the most common form of hydro-power, making up the majority of all renewable energy produced. Electricity is produced in hydroelectric dams where the force of falling water drives massive turbines.

The advantage of this type of power is that not only does it produce electricity, but the dam helps collect water for our use, so it’s a power and water source in one. Furthermore, the force of the water is so strong that megawatts of electricity can be produced to help power entire cities.

There is also a large amount of control over how fast the turbines spin. If more power is needed, the controller simply opens the wicket gates more, which allows more water through the turbines and spins them faster.

The disadvantage is the devastating effect dams can have on plants, animals and even humans. When dams are built they flood large tracts of land that were once occupied by various species and communities of people. Furthermore, the water-borne animals, such as fish can also be affected. An example would be salmon that are blocked from swimming upstream to spawn by the newly erected dam.

Tidal Power:

The second most popular type of hydro power, tidal energy is produced by currents caused from the natural ebb and flow of the tide.

This has been achieved by France and Russia since 1966 in areas with a large tidal range, such as bays and estuaries. One of the systems of tidal power works by trapping water at high tide with a tidal barrage, then releasing that water in one quick burst at low tide. This gushing water drives turbines to produce power.

Although the tides are very predictable and consistent, the problem with this system is that the turbines only operate every 6 hours (once every tide).

A second, more recent, tidal system looks very much like an underwater wind turbine. Large windmill like turbines are sunk in shallow water, where they are slowly spun by shifting tidal water.

The advantage of this system is that it is an adaptation of an already technologically advanced wind turbine – so all the refinement has been done. Furthermore, the dense water is far more efficient than wind at spinning these turbines. Thus even slow-moving water is just as effective as a strong wind.

The drawback is that the current systems can only be built in shallow water, where tidal activity is greatest. This is very limiting since many other economic activities – like oyster farming – occur in the shallows. Furthermore, these structures can damage marine life on the seafloor.

Wave Power:

This is the youngest of the three hydropower solutions. The system harnesses the power from ocean surface wave motion, where air displaced by waves is driven through a generator than spins a turbine. The end result is electricity. These generators can either be coupled to floating devices outta sea, or fixed along the shore where seas are rough.

Although this technology is relatively new, it has been estimated that there is enough energy in ocean waves to produce up to 2000 Megawatts of power.

But, as with all hydro-power solutions, it has potential environmental issues. Conservationists are worried about the impact these structures will have on the coastline’s fauna and flora. Also, there is a possibility of water pollution if – for example – the hydraulic fluids accidentally leaked into the sea. This can be expected if the wave generators are constantly battered by rough seas.

Closing thought:

Man has come up with ingenious ways to harness the power of nature to produce electricity, hydro power being one of them. Although it is an important renewable energy for the future, there is still much controversy over its long-term environmental impact.

Tim McDonald and his wife have been living off the grid since June 2008. If you want to learn to get off the grid and save thousands on your electricity bills, then be sure to Try Earth4Energy For FREE, and learn to make your own diy renewable energy at home.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_McDonald

So what is hydro power?

Well, basically it is the generation of electricity by using the natural force of water.

And how is hydro power generated ?

It is generated in 3 different ways: hydroelectric power, tidal power, and wave power.

Hydroelectric Power:

This is the most common form of hydro-power, making up the majority of all renewable energy produced. Electricity is produced in hydroelectric dams where the force of falling water drives massive turbines.

The advantage of this type of power is that not only does it produce electricity, but the dam helps collect water for our use, so it’s a power and water source in one. Furthermore, the force of the water is so strong that megawatts of electricity can be produced to help power entire cities.

There is also a large amount of control over how fast the turbines spin. If more power is needed, the controller simply opens the wicket gates more, which allows more water through the turbines and spins them faster.

The disadvantage is the devastating effect dams can have on plants, animals and even humans. When dams are built they flood large tracts of land that were once occupied by various species and communities of people. Furthermore, the water-borne animals, such as fish can also be affected. An example would be salmon that are blocked from swimming upstream to spawn by the newly erected dam.

Tidal Power:

The second most popular type of hydro power, tidal energy is produced by currents caused from the natural ebb and flow of the tide.

This has been achieved by France and Russia since 1966 in areas with a large tidal range, such as bays and estuaries. One of the systems of tidal power works by trapping water at high tide with a tidal barrage, then releasing that water in one quick burst at low tide. This gushing water drives turbines to produce power.

Although the tides are very predictable and consistent, the problem with this system is that the turbines only operate every 6 hours (once every tide).

A second, more recent, tidal system looks very much like an underwater wind turbine. Large windmill like turbines are sunk in shallow water, where they are slowly spun by shifting tidal water.

The advantage of this system is that it is an adaptation of an already technologically advanced wind turbine – so all the refinement has been done. Furthermore, the dense water is far more efficient than wind at spinning these turbines. Thus even slow-moving water is just as effective as a strong wind.

The drawback is that the current systems can only be built in shallow water, where tidal activity is greatest. This is very limiting since many other economic activities – like oyster farming – occur in the shallows. Furthermore, these structures can damage marine life on the seafloor.

Wave Power:

This is the youngest of the three hydropower solutions. The system harnesses the power from ocean surface wave motion, where air displaced by waves is driven through a generator than spins a turbine. The end result is electricity. These generators can either be coupled to floating devices outta sea, or fixed along the shore where seas are rough.

Although this technology is relatively new, it has been estimated that there is enough energy in ocean waves to produce up to 2000 Megawatts of power.

But, as with all hydro-power solutions, it has potential environmental issues. Conservationists are worried about the impact these structures will have on the coastline’s fauna and flora. Also, there is a possibility of water pollution if – for example – the hydraulic fluids accidentally leaked into the sea. This can be expected if the wave generators are constantly battered by rough seas.

Closing thought:

Man has come up with ingenious ways to harness the power of nature to produce electricity, hydro power being one of them. Although it is an important renewable energy for the future, there is still much controversy over its long-term environmental impact.

About the Author

Tim McDonald

The most common large scale hydro power systems are incorporated into dams and reservoirs. Stored water is released down chutes in the dams containing turbines; as the turbines work electricity is created. The potential energy of the stored water is transformed into usable power. This is a relatively simple method that has been used for centuries: in the past waterwheels have powered mills, and the at the start of the industrial revolution the main method of powering factories, especially in areas where iron and steel were being processed, was hydro power. Now, though, giant hydroelectric power stations are being constructed to provide energy in place of conventional sources such as fossil fuels, the prime example being the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River in China. At the time of writing providing three percent of the energy needs of the whole of China, this is a truly stupendous engineering achievement.

Other large scale systems are beginning to be implemented in tidal and coastal areas. Tidal barrage systems operate across the mouths of river estuaries, where the ebb and flow of the tide can be exploited to provide energy. Wave farms operate on the open ocean, with floating turbines moored in areas where wave activity is strong enough to generate electricity efficiently but not so strong that there is a risk of damage to the turbines. Being less familiar than hydroelectric dams, these systems are taking longer to design and implement but could prove to be an effective solution for countries with extensive coastlines.

The benefits of such hydro power systems are clear: once constructed, the energy produced is cheap and clean when compared to other power sources; the amount of pollution produced is minimal. There are, however, negatives. The construction of hydroelectricity systems can lead to environmental problems: the building of the aforementioned Three Gorges Dam led to the displacement of millions of people and the submerging of the habitats of endangered species such as the Siberian Crane. Also, tidal barrage systems have also been criticised for their potential to upset the ecological balance of the estuaries in which they are located, though system designers have responded by promising to attempt to minimise such disruption.

Despite these problems, it is clear that hydro power is an attractive option for future provision of energy, especially in coastal countries. Problems associated with other forms of energy will ensure that one of mankind’s oldest power sources will continue to be exploited well into the twenty-first century.

To find out more about hydro power, including the emergence of small scale systems usable by businesses and homeowners, visit http://www.electricitygeneration.co.uk – This site also contains information on a wide variety of conventional and non-conventional energy sources, allowing the visitor to assess how they can ensure their power needs are met for years to come.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Drabble