Harnessing Hydropower: Benefits and Applications of Hydro Energy

Hello, I’m Aner, and I am going to do a review about hydro energy power. This renewable energy comes from hydropower (or water power), which is the power using the energy of moving water (falling water or fast-running water).

Hydroelectric energy can be defined as a form of hydropower where the motion of running water (kinetic energy) is converted into electricity. Hydroelectric energy is potential energy that is converted to kinetic energy through the forces of gravitation, which again comes from solar energy, driving the water cycle around. Thus, it is the result of heat energy from the sun and the gravitational forces from the earth. The water cycle is driven directly by solar energy. When the sun heats the water in the ocean, some of the water on the surface is vaporized. The water vapor rises, and when it reaches higher layers of air and is cooled, the water falls down in the form of rain, hail, or snow. Rain or melted snow, usually originating in hills and mountains, creates streams and rivers that eventually run to the ocean. The energy of that moving water can be substantial for useful purposes.

This energy works in this way: a dam is built to trap water, usually in a valley where there is an existing lake. Water is allowed to flow through tunnels in the dam to turn turbines and thus drive generators. The dam is much thicker at the bottom than at the top because the pressure of the water increases with depth. Hydroelectric power stations can produce a great deal of power very cheaply. As you know, in the Basque Country, there are some small hydroelectric power stations like Errotazar – Dima (Bizkaia), Barazar - Zeanuri (Bizkaia), and the boundary between Etxebarri and Bilbao, neighborhood of Bolueta (Bizkaia).

Hydropower, obtained through the use of kinetic energy and potential streams and waterfalls, is one of the oldest renewable sources used on the planet for energy production. In conclusion, this energy source is good and cheap for us because the turbines are inexpensive and not dangerous for us. However, animals can be harmed in the turbines.