Water constantly moves through a vast global cycle, in which it evaporates (due to the activity of the Sun) from oceans, seas and other water reservoirs, forms clouds, precipitates as rain or snow, then flows back to the ocean. The energy of this water cycle, which is driven by the sun, is tapped most efficiently with hydropower.

Energy in Water. When considered as a whole, the energy locked within Earth’s water cycle and ocean waves is extremely large, but harnessing this energy has proved to be exceedingly difficult. There are many different ways to harness the energy in water. The most common way of capturing this energy is hydroelectric power, electricity created by falling water. .....more.

Power Plants. Amongst renewable energy sources, hydroelectric power seems to be the most desirable for utilities and its economic feasibility has been successfully proven. Power stations with a capacity of up to 10 GW have been built and it is estimated that there are economic resources for 3,000 GW world-wide, compared to 10,000 GW world primary energy consumption. World-wide it is estimated that about 10% of resources have been realised, with most potential remaining in Africa and Asia. .....more.

Technology. In hydro power plants the kinetic energy of falling water is captured to generate electricity. A turbine and a generator convert the energy from the water to mechanical and then electrical energy. The turbines and generators are installed either in or adjacent to dams, or use pipelines (penstocks) to carry the pressured water below the dam or diversion structure to the powerhouse......more.

Small Hydro. Small and micro or nano hydropowe combine the advantages of large hydro on the one hand and decentralized power supply, on the other. They do not have many of the disadvantages, such as costly transmissions and environmental issues. Moreover, the small hydro-resources, lends itself to decentralisation and making rural development possible based on self-reliance and the use of natural resources. .....more.

Tidal Energy. Tidal energy differs from all other energy sources in that the energy is extracted from the potential and kinetic energies of the earth-moon-sun system. The well known ocean tides result from this interaction, producing variations in ocean water levels along the shores of all continents. .....more.

Wave Energy. A large part of the major influx of energy to this planet, solar energy, is converted by natural processes, i.e. through wind generation, to energy associated with waves. Waves are generated by the wind as it blows across the ocean surface. The energy thus contained is significant, in favoured latitudes with values of around 70 MW/km of wave frontage. .....more.

Environmental Impacts. A watercourse is an ecological system where changes within one component may create a series of spread-effects. For instance, changes in the water flow may affect the quality of the water and the production of fish downstream. Dam barriers may greatly change the living conditions for fish. In addition to the emergence of a major or completely new lake, the dam may divide upstream fish from downstream fish, and block their migration routes. .....more.

Guidelines. Many people have access to some form of running water and do not know how much power, if any, can be produced from it. Almost any house site has solar electric potential (photovoltaic). Many sites also have some wind power available. But water power depends on more than the presence of water alone. .....more.

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