Hydroelectric Energy

Electric energy, produced through water, sun, and wind, is considered a form of clean energy (It has low levels of pollutant production in all stages of production, distribution, and consumption. In addition, it is a renewable source, as it will never be depleted as will one day with oil). The electrical energy generated in hydroelectric plants uses the potential energy of water, which is based on the production of differences in electrical potential between two points, which makes it possible to establish an electric current between these points (https://youtu.be/KO71VRSdm5s).

The moving water (potential energy) passes through the plant's pipes with great force and speed, causing the turbines to move. Thus, potential energy (water energy) will be transformed into mechanical energy (turbine movement). The moving turbines are connected to a generator, which is responsible for transforming mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Among the countries with great hydraulic potential, we can mention the United States, Canada, Brazil, Russia, and China. The advantages of hydroelectric plants are the fact that they are a source of renewable energy and do not emit pollutants. As for disadvantages, we can mention the flooding of areas for the construction of dams, which can generate problems for the relocation of riverside populations, and the environmental impacts caused by the damming of water to form immense artificial lakes (destruction of extensive areas of natural vegetation, riverbanks, the collapse of the banks, the silting of the river beds, damages to the local fauna and flora, alterations in the hydraulic regime of the rivers, possibilities of transmission of diseases, such as schistosomiasis and malaria, extinction of some species of fish).