Hydro Power and Energy

The Limitless Power of Water

The power of water has been harnessed by people using downstream currents to propel their canoes or other watercraft down rivers. People finally realized how to convert hydro power into energy with the production of dams and this continues in the present with technology to harness different aspects of water. Dams have been created around the world to harness the power of rivers and the Hoover Dam in the United States and the Three Gorges Dam in China are famous ones. Dams can produce a huge amount of energy capable of providing for several cities. Wave power from the ocean is also another source of hydroelectricity that is starting to develop. The power of waves come naturally from the ocean and technology can absorb this and produce energy.

Hydro power does have drawbacks and problems just like any other energy source and location is a major one. Water power can only be found where there is water which means either by the ocean or near rivers. Although the energy produced can be delivered pretty far, for places out of range, hydro power is not an option. Another issue is for dams that have plenty of problems including effects on the environment and wildlife. Dams change the flow of water and affect the area where the rivers flow including any wildlife like fish or animals that feed on the fish.