Hydroenergy

What is Hydroenergy and how do I use it?

Hydro energy is simply energy that is taken from water and converted to electricity. There are lots of different methods to use this energy. The most common method of using energy from water is a hydroelectric dam, where water coming down through an area causes turbines to rotate and the energy is captured to run a generator. Power can also be generated from the energy of tidal forces or wave power, which uses the energy created by waves.

Which countries use it and why do they use it?

Many countries in the world use hydro energy for conversion to electricity. Canada maintains the highest use, while the United States comes in second. One of the main reasons that hydro energy is used is that it is a renewable energy, meaning it will not be depleted over time and it will consistently be replenished. It is also a clean energy source, as it does not emit any toxins.

Drawbacks

One drawback to using hydro energy is that it can sometimes change the natural flow of the water which can make it possible to harm plants and animals in the water. It can also damage areas and wildlife, as when creating a hydro electric dam, areas must be flooded.

Conclusion

Hydro Energy is one of the cheapest methods to convert energy into electricity. It is also reliable and can be used almost immediately when turned on to meet the demand for electricity. Therefore, one must weigh the pros and contras before deciding to use hydro energy or not.


Hannes Ehlerding, e-mail: hannesehlerding@gmx.de; HTML Editor: Viktor Sundelin, e-mail: te09-48@park.se