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Using the water’s power is an age-old phenomenon. Over the years it has been employed for irrigation and working a variety of machines, including water-wheels. But today, it is used more importantly as a alternative energy source.

Electricity from hydro-power can be generated in three different ways: in hydroelectric dams, using the tides, and through the ocean’s waves and currents.

Hydroelectricity:

This form of hydro power accounts for over 90% of all renewable energy generated. Power is generated in large dams, where water is forced through large turbines.

What makes hydro-electric dams so popular is that they have two very important roles - to store and distribute water to various cities, and generate thousands of megawatts of electricity at the same time.

But there a number of environmental and social concerns with building these large dams. They affect the spawning patterns of various fish, they can wipe out entire communities as they flood the land, and destroy natural vegetation.

Using The Tides:

The second most popular type of hydro power, tidal energy is produced by currents caused from the natural ebb and flow of the tide.

This has been achieved by France and Russia since 1966 in areas with a large tidal range, such as bays and estuaries. One of the systems of tidal power works by trapping water at high tide with a tidal barrage, then releasing that water in one quick burst at low tide. This gushing water drives turbines to produce power.

Because it works with the tides, the system is very predicable. However this is also its pitfall, since it only works every 6 hours when the tides changes.

The latest tidal power system operates where large windmill-type turbines are placed in shallow water, and spin slowly as the tide comes in and goes out.

Since this system is an underwater version of a wind turbine, the technology is up to date and refined. Also, water has a high density than air, so the turbines can spin in the lightest of currents.

The drawback is that the current systems can only be built in shallow water, where tidal activity is greatest. This is very limiting since many other economic activities - like oyster farming - occur in the shallows. Furthermore, these structures can damage marine life on the seafloor.

Wave Power:

This is the latest in hydro-power technology. Here oceans surface waves displace and compress air that is then fed through turbines, that generate power. These systems are either attached on floating platforms in the open ocean, or built along the shore where waves break.

The good thing about using the ocean’s waves is that they have the equivalent kinetic energy of 2 million kilowatts of electricity.

However, wave power systems do have environmental concerns. Their hydraulic fluids could leak out into the ocean, causing water pollution. And the fixed structures on the coastline, can damage the natural plant and animal life on the seafloor.

Conclusion:

Over the years we have come up with advanced methods of using water to produce power. Though there are a variety of benefits to using this kind of renewable energy, there are still a number of social and environmental concerns.

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