Home > Learning Center > Hydroelectric Energy

Hydroelectric Energy

Hydroelectric energy refers to the electricity created from water power. This energy from water is also known as hydro power. More specifically, it is derived from the gravitational force of falling, flowing, and just generally moving water.

It is worth noting that hydroelectric energy is the most widely used form of renewable. A renewable resource is one which can be naturally replenished by the environment (unlike fossil fuels.) After a complex is created for hydroelectricity, it produces no direct waste. In addition to this, it has minimal levels of carbon emissions compared to fossil fuel plants.

Hydroelectric energy supplied about 816 GWe (gigawatts electrical) in the year 2005. This computes to about 20% of global electricity. It also accounted for about 88% of the electricity generated from renewables.

 


Alternative | Wind | Learning Center | Site Map | Links | Contact | Home

Copyright © 2009