Energy Atlas

How The World Is Powered
Energy Sources

Hydropower

Also Known As Hydroelectric Power
Renewable

Citation Formats

General Reference

APA Style

BibTeX

Water Over a Dam

Electricity generated from falling or flowing water, the oldest and still the largest renewable source of electricity worldwide. Water wheels ground grain for two thousand years before the first hydroelectric plants of the early 1880s, and the great dams of the twentieth century made hydropower the backbone of many national grids.

Facts
Source Class
Renewable 1
First Commercial Year
1882 2
The Vulcan Street plant at Appleton, Wisconsin, began generating hydroelectricity for paying customers on 30 September 1882, weeks after the Pearl Street coal station opened in New York.
Cross-Tradition Connections

Associated With

Used By

Sources
1. United States Energy Information Administration Official Site
US Energy Information AdministrationView the Source
2. United States Department of Energy Official Site
US Department of EnergyView the Source
2. United States Department of Energy Official Site
US Department of EnergyUsed By: Francis Turbine, Water Power Technologies Office, Types of Hydropower Turbines
Quote, Used By: Francis Turbine, Water Power Technologies Office, Types of Hydropower Turbines
Francis turbines are commonly used for medium- to high-head (130- to 2,000-foot) situations though they have been used for lower heads as well.
View the Source
2. United States Department of Energy Official Site
US Department of EnergyUsed By: Kaplan Turbine, Types of Hydropower Turbines
Quote, Used By: Kaplan Turbine, Types of Hydropower Turbines
Both the blades and the wicket gates are adjustable, allowing for a wider range of operation.
View the Source
2. United States Department of Energy Official Site
US Department of EnergyUsed By: Pelton Turbine, Types of Hydropower Turbines
Quote, Used By: Pelton Turbine, Types of Hydropower Turbines
Pelton turbines are generally used for very high heads and low flows.
View the Source
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc.Used By: Three Gorges DamView the Source
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc.Used By: Hoover DamView the Source
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc.Used By: Itaipu DamView the Source
American Society of Civil Engineers Official Site
American Society of Civil EngineersAssociated With: Vulcan Street Plant Lights Appleton, Historic Landmarks, Vulcan Street Plant
Quote, Associated With: Vulcan Street Plant Lights Appleton, Historic Landmarks, Vulcan Street Plant
The Edison Company had already begun to generate electricity with steam power 26 days earlier at its Pearl Street plant in New York City, but steam-generated electricity proved more expensive.
View the Source
USA.gov Federal Agency Directory
United States General Services AdministrationAssociated With: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Agencies, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Quote, Associated With: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Agencies, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulates interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas, and oil, and also regulates hydropower projects and natural gas terminals.
View the Source
International Hydropower Association Official Site
International Hydropower AssociationAssociated With: International Hydropower Association, Who we are, About IHA
Quote, Associated With: International Hydropower Association, Who we are, About IHA
The International Hydropower Association (IHA) is the global voice of sustainable hydropower. It is a non-profit membership organisation representing well over 100 members from every continent in the world.
View the Source
United States Bureau of Reclamation Site
United States Bureau of ReclamationUsed By: Grand Coulee Dam, Grand Coulee Dam fact sheet
Quote, Used By: Grand Coulee Dam, Grand Coulee Dam fact sheet
Grand Coulee Dam is the largest hydropower producer in the United States, generating more than 21 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity each year.
View the Source
Wikipedia
Wikimedia FoundationUsed By: Dinorwig Power Station, Dinorwig Power Station, specification
Quote, Used By: Dinorwig Power Station, Dinorwig Power Station, specification
From standstill, a single 450-tonne generator can synchronise and achieve full load in approximately 75 seconds
View the Source
Power Technology
GlobalDataUsed By: Aswan High Dam, Projects, Aswan High Dam, details
Quote, Used By: Aswan High Dam, Projects, Aswan High Dam, details
It also has 12 Francis turbines, with an installed capacity of 2,100MW
View the Source
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share a thought.
Reader Challenges (0 open reader challenges)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.

View At A Past Year

The atlas records no dated fact of its own for this entry, so there is no other year to choose.