| What is hydro energy?Fossil fuel reserves | | | | 1881 introducing hydropower as a source of |
| have become seriously depleted but conversely | | | | electricity. Previously water turbines had |
| our energy use is increasing year on year, | | | | only been used for pumping and irrigation but |
| our fossil fuel use is now far from being | | | | that has changed significantly now. While |
| sustainable. Fossil fuels are also | | | | some countries have yet to hydro power |
| responsible for global warming because of the | | | | stations that are efficient and make any |
| carbon dioxide that is produced with the use | | | | significant difference to their energy usage, |
| of coal power stations and other fossil fuel | | | | New Zealand among other countries produce |
| power stations. In order to stop a further | | | | over 70% of its energy from hydro power |
| decline in the environment and to replace | | | | stations.Dams.Dams are built in order to |
| non-renewable energy many different | | | | create a man made waterfall; as the water |
| alternative power sources are being | | | | falls it rotates a turbine thus converting |
| researched and implemented. One such | | | | the kinetic energy into a usable mechanical |
| renewable energy source is hydro energy and | | | | energy. This is then turned into electrical |
| involves using water to turn turbines, which | | | | energy through the use of a generator. The |
| in turn generates electricity creating hydro | | | | amount of electricity is determined by how |
| energy. The theory is very similar to that of | | | | far the water falls and the average water |
| wind energy but instead of the wind turning | | | | flow; some dams provide enough power for up |
| the sails we use flowing water.A brief | | | | to 10,000 people so it really is an effective |
| history of hydropower.The first ever water | | | | form of creating energy for our homes. |
| power station was in Godalming, England in | | | | |