Water Power

Hydro-electric power is produced when the kinetic energy of flowing water is converted into electricity by a turbine connected to an electricity generator.  Hydro-power can be exploited at various different scales.  Large-scale-power typically refers to massive amounts of grid-connected generating capacity and is usually associated with a dam and a storage reservoir.  There are many large schemes in the U.S. which were built during the 1900's.  The potential for identifying new large-scale schemes is now more limited, not only because there are fewer commercially attractive sites still available, but also because of environmental constraints.

Schemes smaller in scale now offer a greater opportunity for providing a reliable, flexible and cost-competitive power source with minimal environmental impacts.  These small-scale schemes are making an increasing contribution towards new, renewable energy installations in many regions of the world, especially in rural or remote areas where other conventional sources of power are less readily available.  Small scale schemes can be associated with a dam and storage reservoir or can be located in a moving stream.