There are two main methods of generating electricity from water. One method uses the energy potential of water trapped in dams in a more sophisticated version of the water wheel and the other captures energy from ocean waves. The electricity generated by water is fully renewable, as water is an abundant natural resource and no water is consumed during the electricity generation process. For this reason, many nations rely heavily on hydropower because they want to promote sustainable energy production.
When a dam is used to generate power, tunnels are installed in the dam when it is built. These tunnels are lined with turbines that are operated when water flows through the tunnels. When the turbines spin, they create electricity that can be fed into the grid or stored. Dam operators can determine the amount of energy produced by regulating the flow of water; most dams are able to generate much more energy than they do on a daily basis, which can be useful when there are problems in other power plants and plants.
The electricity generated by water on the ocean is known as wave power or wave energy. This method of power generation uses changes in the air levels of the sealed chambers to power the turbines. These chambers float on parts of the ocean with high wave activity, ensuring the production of a large amount of electricity. Not all areas of the ocean are suitable for generating power from the waves, but some seaside communities have harnessed technology to feed themselves.
Electricity production is a major concern for much of the world, as demand only increases with the growth of the human population. The advantage of hydropower is that once the generation plants are built, it is easy to maintain and manage them. The electricity generated by water is also clean, as it does not involve the burning of fossil fuels to generate energy. People can also generate hydropower on their own, if they have access to a fast-moving water body so that they can install hydraulic wheels.
There are some drawbacks in the electricity generated by water. Dams, for example, can be quite destructive when they are installed, as water will flood the regions behind the dams. This has been a source of controversy in the past, especially when dams flooded the valleys used by native peoples for burials and religious ceremonies. If a dam fails, it also causes catastrophic flooding, and people downstream of a dam tend to experience a reduction in available water after it has been installed. Concerns have also been raised about the power of the waves, as it can be quite noisy and may prove detrimental to marine life.
Author: George Sajan
