In 1882, the first commercial scale hydroelectric plant began operating in Appleton,

Wisconsin. Then in 1935, the world’s largest hydroelectric power plant of the time began

operating, the Hoover Dam (ProCon, Historical Timeline). Water is the source used for what is

the oldest and most commonly used renewable energy generation, hydropower. Hydropower is

produced in several different methods, which include the most common forms of hydroelectric

dams and pump storage, and some of the more modern and developing forms of ocean tidal

barrages, tidal turbines, and wave energy. Water is the largest renewable source available, and it

is extremely reliable, which is why so much energy around the world is produced by

hydropower. Hydropower is more typically used by utilities, electric cooperatives, municipalities

and independent power producers.

Hydroelectric dams consist primarily of the dam itself, a lake or reservoir, a penstock, a

turbine and generator set, or multiple turbine-generators sets.

Water is held in a man-made lake or a reservoir by a large barrier, called a dam. The

water in the lake or reservoir is pulled by gravity down a pipe, called the penstock. When the

water reaches the end of the penstock, the waters energy is converted from water power to

mechanical power. As the force of the water spins the turbine it spins the generator, converting

mechanical power to electrical power. The electricity from the generator then travels through a

power cable to a transformer, where the voltage levels are adjusted to match the power grid. The

water that flows through the turbine is released on the discharge side of the dam and flows down

the river. (TVA, how hydroelectric power works)

Pump storage uses two reservoirs at different elevations to produce electricity. It is used

almost like a battery that provides power when other power generating resources are not

available. Pump storage can be used to backup other renewable energy sources, such as wind
power. When a wind farm shuts down because wind speeds are too low to produce power, pump

storage is often used to provide the needed power. In a pump storage plant, the water is normally

stored in the reservoir at the higher elevation. When the plant is needed to generate electricity, a

gate at the bottom of the higher reservoir opens, and water from the higher reservoir flows

through an intake pipe. Much similar to the concept of a hydroelectric dam, as the water reaches

the bottom of the intake pipe, it spins a turbine that is coupled to a generator, which then

generates electrical power. After the water spins the turbine, it goes to the lower reservoir, where

it is held other power generating resources come on-line. When those other power generating

resources produce power again, the surplus of energy is used to stop and reverse the direction of

the turbine so that it pumps the water from the lower reservoir back up to the high reservoir.

This is done so the plant can be ready to produce energy again when needed. The idea of

restoring the higher reservoir is like recharging a battery so it can be used again when needed.

(General Electric, pump turbine)

The use of hydropower energy production has many advantages, such as it being a

renewable source, so we are not able to run out of it. This method creates clean energy by not

releasing greenhouse gases. Once the power plant is up and running, it has low operating and

maintenance costs. Most rivers that are ideal for the use of hydropower energy production are

located in more remotes areas, so the installation of hydropower plants allow for further

development in those areas. (Conserve Energy Future, pros of hydroelectric power)

With there being many advantages for the use of hydropower plants, there are some

disadvantages. One big disadvantage is that the power plant interrupts the natural flow of water,

which can lead to a drought in other areas or disturb natural habits for animals. Also, these power

plants have very high installation costs. (Conserve Energy Future, cons of hydroelectric power)