hydroelectricity

Also known as hydroelectric power

upright=1.35|thumb|The Three Gorges Dam in [[Central China is the world's largest power-producing facility of any kind.]]

AI overview

Hydroelectricity is power generated by flowing or falling water, and the Three Gorges Dam in Central China demonstrates the scale this technology can reach, as it is the world's largest power-producing facility of any kind. It matters because it represents a major source of electrical energy that can be produced on an enormous scale.

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Image: ThreeGorgesDam-China2009.jpg

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Commons category: Hydroelectricity
carbon footprint: 24

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~34 min read

Article

39 sections

Contents

History
Future potential
Modernization of existing infrastructure
Generating methods
Conventional (dams)
Pumped-storage
Run-of-the-river
Tide
Conduit
Sizes, types and capacities of hydroelectric facilities
Large facilities
Small
Micro
Pico
Underground
Calculating available power
Properties
Advantages
Flexibility
High value power
Suitability for industrial applications
Reduced CO<sub>2</sub> emissions
Other uses of the reservoir
Disadvantages
Ecosystem damage and loss of land
Drought and water loss by evaporation
Siltation and flow shortage
Methane emissions (from reservoirs)
Relocation
Failure risks
Comparison and interactions with other methods of power generation
Nuclear power
Wind power
Hydro power by country
Economics
See also
References
Sources
External links

upright=1.35|thumb|The Three Gorges Dam in [[Central China is the world's largest power-producing facility of any kind.]]

Hydroelectricity, or hydroelectric power, is electricity generated from hydropower. Hydropower supplies 15% of the world's electricity, almost 4,210 TWh in 2023, which is more than all other renewable sources combined and also more than nuclear power. Hydropower can provide large amounts of low-carbon electricity on demand, making it a key element for creating secure and clean electricity supply systems. A hydroelectric power station that has a dam and reservoir is a flexible source, since the amount of electricity produced can be increased or decreased in seconds or minutes in response to varying electricity demand. Once a hydroelectric complex is constructed, it produces no direct waste, and almost always emits considerably less greenhouse gas than fossil fuel-powered energy plants. However, when constructed in lowland rainforest areas, where part of the forest is inundated, substantial amounts of greenhouse gases may be emitted.