Hydropower as a renewable source, what is it and what are its advantages?

Hydropower is a renewable energy source that harnesses the movement of water to generate electricity. Hydropower is obtained by harnessing the kinetic and potential energy of currents or waterfalls. It is a clean and renewable energy that uses the power of streams, rivers and waterfalls. Hydroelectric power plants are the most common facilities for producing electricity from hydropower. In Spain, hydroelectric power began to be used in the 19th century, but it was not until the 1920s that the first hydroelectric power plant was built in the country. Hydropower currently accounts for 17% of all electricity generated in Spain.

The operation of a hydroelectric power plant is quite simple. A turbine rotates when it is driven by a current or waterfall. The most efficient way to produce electricity in a hydroelectric power plant is to build it at the base of a dam, in order to control the flow of water over the turbine in a stable manner. The process of electricity production in a hydroelectric power plant can be divided into the following steps:

1. Water accumulation: dams accumulate a large amount of water within the reservoir. At that moment the energy of the water is being stored in the form of potential energy, a type of energy that depends on height.
2. Opening of the lock: at the moment when the water is allowed to flow and, by the action of gravity, the potential energy of the water is transformed into kinetic energy.
3. Turbine movement: the flow of water transfers the kinetic energy, due to its movement, to the turbine of the hydroelectric power plant, causing it to rotate.
4. Generator action: the movement of the turbine activates the generator which is capable of transforming mechanical energy into electrical energy through the action of a magnetic field.
5. Voltage change in the transformer: after the production of electrical energy (usually alternating energy) it is fed into a transformer to increase its voltage. In this way, energy can be transported from the power plant to the various supply points.
6. Connection to the power grid: once the electricity leaves the hydroelectric power plant, it is connected to the power grid to be transported and distributed to the different end consumers.

Hydropower has several advantages, among them:

• Clean and sustainable energy: hydropower generates no polluting waste, uses a renewable energy source and greatly reduces CO2 emissions.
• High safety: hydroelectric power plants use water as “fuel” to generate electricity, which makes them quite safe compared to other energy sources.
• Flexibility: hydroelectric power plants can adapt to the needs of the electricity grid, as they can increase or decrease their electricity production according to demand.

In short, hydropower is a clean, renewable energy source that uses the power of water to generate electricity. As experts in renewable energy engineering, ESA is also interested in and acting on this technology. If you are interested in learning more we are at your disposal to make it happen. You can contact us through our website www.esasl.com or call 96 352 38 20