Power Up Your Plant with Krush Renewable Energy

Hydropower is energy generated from water sources like the ocean, waterfalls and rivers. Because water constantly moves through a global cycle, it’s movement can be harnessed to generate electricity or to drive machinery. Because water is an infinite resource, its cycle provides an endless recharging system, making it a renewable energy source.

There are several types of hydropower facilities and they’re all powered by the movement of flowing water. Turbines and generators are used to convert the water’s kinetic energy into electricity, which is then fed into the electric grid to supply homes, businesses and industries.

A new technology called microhydro is increasingly being used in remote areas to power homes and businesses. The technology makes it possible for small holdings to generate their own energy, independent from large hydropower plants. Microhydro uses smaller water flows to run small generators that produce enough energy to power a home, or run on-site equipment. 

Hydropower works by harnessing the energy that comes from the flow of water through a turbine connected to a generator, thus turning it into electricity. Most hydropower plants store water in a dam, which is controlled by a gate or valve to measure the amount of water that flows out. The greater the elevation of the dam, the more energy can be generated.

Just before the water flows over the dam, it gains potential energy, which is converted into kinetic energy as it flows downhill. The water is used to turn a turbine, which is connected to an electric generator that distributes the power to the end users.

1. Impoundment – The most common type of hydropower facility is impoundment, which makes use of a reservoir. The water is stored in the reservoir and when released, it’s channelled through a turbine. The turbine spins, which then activates a generator that produces electricity. The reservoir itself doesn’t need to be large, as is the case with microhydro facilities.
2. Pumped storage – This method works in a similar way to impoundment, except two reservoirs are used to harness the movement of the water. The reservoirs are situated at different elevations and provide electricity ‘on demand’.
3. Run-of-the-river – This type of facility is used for smaller-scale power generation. As water flows down a river, it turns a turbine in a similar way to a dam. The turbine is connected to a generator and the electricity is then distributed. To be effective, this method requires a river that has a constant stream of water.
4. Tidal power – This method uses the flow of water from the sea to generate energy. Because tides have predictable movements, large amounts of energy can be generated from tidal facilities twice a day.

Hydropower offers many benefits to households, businesses and the environment. For one, it’s a very predictable and consistent source of energy. The water on our planet will never run out, and so hydropower is a sustainable and green energy source.

As such, hydropower is well-suited to meeting peak energy demand and is more responsive than many other renewable energy sources. Hydropower plants can adjust the flow of water, which allows the plant to produce more energy when required and reduce it when it’s not needed.

Hydropower generators are also more reliable than other forms of electricity generation. For example, a generator can have a lifespan of up to 100 years and requires little maintenance over its lifetime.

The creation of hydropower sites can also benefit nearby towns. Jobs are created at the plant itself, and because dams can only be built in rural locations, skilled workers are needed to build roads, mange transport and build equipment. This can also open up new paths for rural areas and provide additional infrastructure.

Hydropower also works well in combination with other renewable sources. Because hydro is consistent and reliable, it can be used to supplement solar and wind power, both of which can be more intermittent in their supplies of energy.