Hydro Power
It's all water over the dam
Humans have been harnessing the clean power of water for centuries to move objects and themselves, to grind grains and other foods, for irrigation, for industrial manufacturing and in dozens of other uses. From the time we figured out that water could be used to turn a wheel, paddle or bucket hooked up to something else, we've put it to work. And when it comes to making electricity, water works!
Hydro-electric generation was once a staple wherever there was a river or fast-moving stream. Even today, enormous dams are being built across the world to rival the wonders of great U.S. civil engineering feats like The Grand Coulee and Hoover dams. In the northwestern United States, on the Columbia River alone, there are 14 major hydro-electric-producing dams in the U.S. and in Canada generating enormous amounts of electricity. Honeymooners the world over visit Niagara Falls, also the site of a powerful hydro-electric station. Even Connecticut has many small public- and privately owned hydro-electric facilities adding electricity to the regional power grid.
When it comes to producing electricity from water, the bigger the drop, the better the pop. That's why you won' t find many hydro facilities in Kansas. The concept is simple: Water drops down or over propeller-like blades connected to a turbine. The turbine is connected to a generator by a metal shaft - when everything moves, electricity is generated, redirected or stored.
Consumers can choose to purchase all or a percentage of their electricity through these more natural and cleaner "green" production sources, and can even elect to produce their own electricity if they have the water rights and inclination.
Examining the benefits of alternative energy sources and making smart choices about where your energy comes from are just a few of the many OneThings you can pursue in your quest to help conserve resources and reduce our dependence on costly energy sources such as oil and gas.