hydroelectric power: Quick Facts

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Facts

Also Known As	hydropower

Photos and Videos

Hydroelectric dam at Imatrankoski spans the Vuoksi River in Finland, with turbulent water flowing through open spillways and forested banks on both sides.

Row of large blue hydroelectric turbine generators inside the Hoover Dam power plant, with an American flag hanging above.

Aerial view of Hoover Dam spanning the Colorado River between steep rocky cliffs in Black Canyon, with Lake Mead behind the dam and arid mountains surrounding the area.

This diagram shows how a tidal power barrage generates electricity, with cross-sections of a structure containing sluice gates and a turbine placed between the ocean and a tidal basin. Water flows through the turbine as tides change, converting tidal energy into hydroelectric power. The upper image depicts high tide with water held in the tidal basin, while the lower image shows water flowing back through the turbine at low tide.

Norris Dam stretches across a wide river, with a road running along the top and a power station below, surrounded by forested hills in East Tennessee.

Congo River: hydroelectric dam at Inga Falls

Paulo Afonso: hydroelectric plant

Hydroelectic plant on Summersville Lake, near Summersville, W.Va.

Hydroelectric power station dam on the Volkhov River in Volkhov, Russia, with water cascading through multiple gates and trees in the background.

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Explore Ethiopia's untapped geothermal and hydropower resources

Harnessing wave power: The Pelamis generator

Discover how Venezuela harnessed hydroelectric power from the Orinoco River

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waterpower pumped-storage system renewable energy power nuclear power geothermal energy wind power solar energy biofuel solar power steam power biogas electric power tidal power

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Key People

A photo of Jamsetji Tata.

Jamsetji Tata

Indian industrialist

James Watt as a young man, c1769. Scottish engineer and instrument maker. Invented the modern steam engine which became the main source of power in Britain's textile mills. His engine had a separate condenser in which steam from the cylinder; (see notes)

Weaponry, Energy, and Power Systems Quiz

Metal and enamel pan of boiling water on stove. (boiling point; cooking; steam; cooking gas; non-electric)

Aitch-Two-Oh?

Electric power lines against sunset (grid, power, wires, electrical, electricity)

Energy & Fossil Fuels