Hydro electric energy is the production of power using running water. The concept of hydro electric energy is not new. Running water has been used as a source of energy for many thousands of years. In times gone by water energy was used to grind corn for agriculture and private use.

In 1882 water was used to electrify two paper mills and a house on the Fox River. This was the first application of hydro electric energy. Today several hydro electric power stations exist across the world. Hydro electric energy provides for about 20% of the of the world’s energy. But how does it work?

To produce hydro electric energy a dam must be built. This is usually located in a valley near a natural lake. Water is channeled into the dam via tunnels and the water turns turbines which in turn powers generators. The dam is thicker at the bottom than at the top. This is because as the water gets deeper its pressure increases. Hydro electric power stations can also be erected next to a fast-flowing river. In this case the water flow cannot be controlled or stored.

It is possible for hydro electric energy to be produced very cheaply. Hoover Dam is built on the Colorado River and supplies Las Vegas with much of its electricity requirements. Despite the fact that there are many suitable areas where a dam could be built this is very expensive. In Switzerland and New Zealand where there are many mountains this kind of energy provides more than half its energy requirements.

The good news is that once the structure is erected the hydro electric energy generated is free. There is no waste or pollution created by such dams. The water is renewed each time it rains making it a renewable resource.

There are several advantages and disadvantages to hydro electric energy production. One big advantage is that energy is free once the dam is built. Another plus is that there is no waste or pollution created by hydro electric power stations. This form of energy is also much more reliable than wind, solar or wave power. Water can be stored and used during times of peak usage and power is constant.

The disadvantages of generating hydro electric energy are the costs involved in building large dams and its negative environmental impacts. When a dam is built large areas upstream are flooded and this can destroy bird and animal habitats. It is also not always easy to find the correct site for the dam. It may not fit in with the needs of residents and wildlife.

Hydro electric energy can also affect the quality of water in the area. Quality and quantity of water resources can be impacted and this can affect the plant and fish life in the lake and river. While hydro electric energy may not be the perfect solution to our energy problems at present, there is hope that technological advances can minimize ecological impacts and see this type of energy being utilized more in the future