Hydroelectric Power
Hydroelectricity is a type of electricity produced by hydropower, or water. This type of electricity is starting to spread worldwide and now produces about 19% of the world's electricity. Most hydroelectric power comes from the potential energy of dammed water driving a water turbine and generator. There are also tidal power plants that make use of the daily rise and fall of water.
Although there may be advantages to hydroelectricity, there are also disadvantages. It is known to disrupt the aquatic ecosystems making it difficult for fish to go upstream to reproduce. This can greatly impact certain fish populations and could actually cause some types of fish to go into extinction. There is, however, a solution to this; removing the dam that is causing the problem. Overall, hydroelectric power is a great renewable energy.
Hydroelectricity is a type of electricity produced by hydropower, or water. This type of electricity is starting to spread worldwide and now produces about 19% of the world's electricity. Most hydroelectric power comes from the potential energy of dammed water driving a water turbine and generator. There are also tidal power plants that make use of the daily rise and fall of water.
Although there may be advantages to hydroelectricity, there are also disadvantages. It is known to disrupt the aquatic ecosystems making it difficult for fish to go upstream to reproduce. This can greatly impact certain fish populations and could actually cause some types of fish to go into extinction. There is, however, a solution to this; removing the dam that is causing the problem. Overall, hydroelectric power is a great renewable energy.
The Environment and You © 2008