Hydropower (from Ancient Greek ὑδρο -, "water"), also known as water power or water energy, is the use of falling or fast-running water to produce electricity or to power machines.

Hydropower, or hydroelectric power, is a renewable source of energy that generates power by using a dam or diversion structure to alter the natural flow of a river or other body of water.

Apr 20, 2023 · At hydropower plants water flows through a pipe, or penstock, then pushes against and turns blades in a turbine that spin to power a generator to produce electricity.

There are four main types of hydropower plants: run-of-river, storage, pumped storage and offshore hydropower. Only a small minority of the world's dams are built for hydropower, with …

Sep 18, 2025 · hydroelectric power, electricity produced from generators driven by turbines that convert the potential energy of falling or fast-flowing water into mechanical energy.

Oct 8, 2025 · Hydropower is energy created from fresh, moving water. Over 2,000 years ago, the ancient Greeks used the power in rivers and streams to rotate wooden wheels and crush grain …

Hydropower is essential to our clean energy future. Solar, wind and battery storage may grab the headlines, yet a simple truth is often overlooked: we can’t achieve deep decarbonization of our …

Today, hydropower provides about 16 percent of the world's electricity, generating power in all but two U.S. states. Hydropower became an electricity source in the late 19th century, a few...

Oct 19, 2023 · Hydroelectric energy, also called hydroelectric power or hydroelectricity, is a form of energy that harnesses the power of water in motion—such as water flowing over a …

6 days ago · Hydropower is one of the world’s oldest and most dependable renewable energy sources. It generates electricity by directing flowing water through turbines, offering a clean, …