Hydroelectric Energy

A primary source of energy (7% of the power consumption in the US comes from this source) is hydroelectric energy. This energy is being created by utilizing the forces of falling or flowing water. This process is analogous to the process used in harnessing wind energy using wind turbines.

One common procedure to do so is by damming up water flowing in a river behind a large concrete wall. This water holds a large amount of potential energy. As it falls from the dam, it flows through a turbine with rotary blades. Electromagnets spin within the turbine as the water flows through it and a current is created. The energy is transferred to coils. These coils take the current to a transformer and the voltage is multiplied for transmission to homes and businesses through power lines.

This form of energy creation holds numerous advantages. The primary advantage is that it is environmentally friendly: it does not pollute the earth, it reduces green house gasses and global warming. Furthermore, it is potentially limitless: since water sources are constantly being replenished through rainfall, this is very efficient - unlike utilizing fossil fuels which exist in finite amounts (and will eventually run out).

Additionally, wherever it can be used - which is quite a lot of places, since many countries have rivers - this is relatively a cheap source of energy. Once hydroelectric power plants are built their maintenance is not expensive nor are they hard to operate. Furthermore, this is just the beginning: it is estimated this technology will continue to mature, thus, the costs and benefits would just increase.

No matter where the energy comes from: sun, wind, water, fuel or coal, we clearly are dependent on it, as it is used in a great variety of ways. Thus, using water to obtain electricity is one of the best alternatives for the reasons we mentioned. Not only it can be used to power home appliances and factories, but it could also be used to store energy which is later reused in vehicles. In conclusion: it is expected that as this technology continues to mature, it will become cheaper and more widespread.