Using the movement of water to create power for machinery and other applications was first discovered thousands of years ago, dating back as far as ancient Greece, and has continued to be a reliable way to produce energy throughout civilization. In ancient Greece, the Greeks created large wheels that churned through the water and powered the rods attached to the machines they used to grind wheat and flour.
By the 1700’s, developing countries around the world were making the most of water power for their energy needs. Various ways of using natural falling water to produce energy were introduced through the years. The most common process uses the water to turn a motor that is connected to a separate generator that then produces energy that can be used for a variety of applications.
A small hydro power system is very beneficial to the environment because it doesn’t contaminate the air or water with pollutants and these operations require very little space. Some small water powered generators can operate on such a small amount of water that they can be placed beside a small stream and there is never a need for a dam or a designated reservoir.
In the past few years, many people have realized how much more friendly these small hydro power systems are to the environment and several countries have set up these systems to provide some or all of their electricity. Small water powered generators can produce electricity without harming the environment and without the expense of natural fuels and dam structures. Commercialized countries, like the United States, as well as remote, populated regions of countries including Nepal, India, Vietnam, Malaysia, Peru, and China, use small hydro power systems for their energy needs.
Water power, or hydro energy, is so appealing because it is a renewable resource that we can not run out of. Producing electricity with water power can be difficult, however. To use water power to generate energy, you must have rapidly flowing water. This type of waterway is not available everywhere and, in most cases, these rivers are only swift in certain seasons.
To replace an environmentally damaging nuclear power plant with a water power plant, it is typically necessary to alter the water to meet the community’s energy needs throughout the entire year. This includes incorporating water gates to keep the water level stable and creating overflow areas to hold unused water for later use. These extra expenses can create some damage to the environment as well. Altering the water flow of a natural body of water can have a significant affect on the water level underground, which can change the animal and plant life in the area.
There are three different types of hydro power systems. Fluid hydro electric units are the most simple to build, but they rely on consistently flowing water to operate. A fluid hydro power system usually doesn’t have any sort of accumulation reservoir and, if it does, the reserve water can be used within a couple hours of operation. This type of generator uses most of the energy produced by the water to generate power immediately, so without a constant flow there is no electricity. Reversible hydro power systems are typically storage plants that pump water rather than a natural flow.
Accumulative hydro power systems are the most widely used type and are more commonly known as hydro electric dams. Hydro electric dams are either near the dam, meaning the actual water powered generator is located right below the dam, or derivational, which means the construction is placed further down and pipes connect the system to the reservoir.
Generating electricity with water power can create a number of obstacles and is not always an easy task. During warmer months, the natural water flow typically decreases so hydro power plants must close their dams and build up their reservoirs. If there are any fluctuations in the water level underground, there could be even more severe problems to overcome. The benefits of using hydro power to generate our electric demands far outweigh the difficulties, however. Water power is not only clean and free of pollutants, it is a renewable natural resource that doesn’t waste other diminishing materials to generate the energy we need.
Global warming is a threat that will affect generations to come. The atmosphere surrounding us that supports life is a God-given gift. It must be protected. We should be leaders in efforts to curb global warming, not resistant followers. Erin Hunt is an avid writer and activist. She discovered that many are still unaware of the dangers of global warming and thus created a website to educate others on how they can play a role in the fight against global warming. Find out more about the cause and effects of global warming and how you can make a difference at http://www.fightagainstglobalwarming.com
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