Hydro Electric Power
It's Green, Renewable, and Environmentally friendly!
What is Hydroelectricity?
Dams create water reservoirs, the contents of which can be released depending on different electricity demands.
Is it good for the economy?
When did it start?
Nearly 2,000 years ago the first water wheel was built by the Greeks to grind wheat into flour. the first hydroelectric power plant was built in 1882 in Appleton, Wisconsin. In the next 20 years there was 300 hydroelectric power plants built across the United States.
China
China is the generator of the largest amount of hydroelectricity, more than any other country in the world! China has also built hydro power stations in many other countries.
How does it work?
A hydroelectric dam stores lots of water behind it in the reservoir. Near the bottom of the dam wall there is the water intake. Gravity causes it to fall through the penstock inside the dam. At the end of the penstock there is a turbine propeller, which is turned by the moving water. The shaft from the turbine goes up into the generator, which produces the power.