Guide to Hydroelectric Renewable Energy Industry Overview

Using hydroelectric renewable energy helps preserve the environment and saves money for your business

By Elizabeth Gibson

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find out what regulations govern hydroelectric companies

As with any other industry, certain laws apply to construction and operation of plants that generate energy from water. Some safety regulations apply, while other laws deal with lessening the environmental impact of dam construction.

I recommend: The Lower Impact Hydropower Institute certifies hydroelectric projects. This certification means the project meets standards for reducing environmental impact of the hydroelectric project. The Federal Regulatory Energy Commission issues licenses for new projects, issues licenses to continue operating an existing project and performs dam safety inspections. This website contains a listing of state agencies to contact if you consider a hydroelectric project.

Study hydroelectricity companies that build hydroelectric plants and/or operate them

Utility, energy and engineering companies get involved in constructing and managing hydroelectric facilities. Some companies operate large numbers of hydroelectric plants in several states, while others operate only a few projects. Your business can benefit by studying currently operating projects to understand what is involved in producing your own hydroelectric plant.

I recommend: GZA GeoEnvironmental provides all services needed to install equipment to generate power from dams. This includes feasibility studies, selecting turbines, meeting regulations and designing the dam. FPL Energy builds and operates hydroelectric plants in 25 states and Canada. FPL uses hydroelectric renewable energy in some of its plants. Progress Energy operates small hydroelectric projects in North Carolina. This website describes the projects and their operation.

Research governmental studies about the use of hydroelectric power

Different branches of the government research alternative energy sources, particularly renewable energy. Hydroelectric renewable energy attracts attention because after initial construction, the costs of operation and distribution remain constant and inexpensive. Certain environmental impacts deserve consideration as well.

I recommend: The Environmental Protection Agency studies ways in which businesses and individuals can preserve or even generate a surplus of energy. This website provides a hydroelectric renewable energy industry overview and explains some of the benefits of hydropower and other ways to find information about this renewable energy source. The Idaho National Laboratory manages the Hydropower Program for the Department of Energy. This program studies the benefits of hydropower and researches technologies to increase hydro-powered energy capacity.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Manufacturers may build a small-scale hydroproject, generally something generating from 1 to 10 megawatts. Such projects can supply enough water power for home hydroelectricity for a single residence or business to a small community. Such projects generally require less engineering and environmental studies prior to construction and do not cost as much to build.

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Understand how energy from water is created and determine specifications

Get help determining the land space required to construct dams and other support systems that can help produce water energy.

I recommend: Innovative Technologies Group, Inc. installs structures such as bridges, retaining walls and dams. Water & Power Technologies, Inc. can be the answer to your water power installation and maintenance needs.

Consider consultation from hydroelectricity companies to get started

Several companies offer services that introduce hydroelectric renewable energy to businesses and industries.

I recommend: Constellation Energy works on hydroelectric power projects for the government, commercial and industrial businesses. They examine strategies for cost-saving energy solutions that can also improve business operations and productivity for success. American Energy Solutions, Inc. offers energy auditing and other hydroelectric power strategies to help cut energy costs while meeting business goals.

Know where to look for hydropowered energy sources

Look for companies that manufacture hydroelectricity components that produce water energy.

I recommend: Siemens USA designs and builds hydroelectric power solutions such as turbines for creating water energy. General Electric Company handles control systems, transmissions and generators that are used for creating energy from water.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider solutions for saving natural habitats when creating or building sources of hydroelectric renewable energy. For instance, some hydroelectric companies are building dams with special structures or channels so that fish can swim freely without their life cycles being disrupted.

Guide to Hydroelectric Renewable Energy Basics

Understand why hydroelectric renewable energy can provide the best energy option for your business

By Elizabeth Gibson

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Define the hydroelectric renewable energy basics

During the colonial days, inland cities had to use water as a power source due to scarcity of fossil fuels and wood. Water-powered grist mills and sawmills provided jobs, services and goods to early communities. Water now provides the same types of benefits, but on a larger scale.

I recommend: Energy Matters provides interesting information on the use of water power. This site defines types of power plants and advantages and disadvantages of hydroelectric power. The Union of Concerned Scientists studies the potential impacts of hydroelectric power. This website discusses how hydropower relies on the water cycle to work properly, the importance of hydroelectricity to our country, and other facts about producing electricity from dams.

Understand what makes hydroelectric renewable energy work

Electrical energy results when water flows through power-producing turbines. The typical setup consists of water behind a dam flowing through a penstock, turning a turbine attached to a generator, and flowing out the other side. The generator sends the electrical current out through an intricate network of transformers and power lines.

I recommend: The U.S. Geological Survey provides basic information about how water powers hydroelectric dams. This website contains a helpful animated drawing of how a dam generates electricity. How Stuff Works uses comprehensive drawings and narrative to show how hydropowered energy can exist.

Determine how hydroelectric renewable energy helps your business

Whether building your own hydroelectric plant or purchasing power from a pre-existing hydroelectric company, this type of power brings benefits to your company. If building your own plant, you might also realize other side benefits such as flood control, recreation, stock ponds, water supply and irrigation. Hydroelectric renewable energy also costs less than other energy sources such as oil, natural gas, or solar, particularly if you connect to a pre-existing power source.

I recommend: Maresh Khemani developed a comprehensive series of articles on Bright Hub related to hydroelectric renewable power. This listing gives examples of how hydropower is used, basic definitions, and comparisons of hydropower to other sources of energy. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation built and still operates the Grand Coulee Dam, the 8^th wonder of the world, creating energy from water. This Washington dam generates 6,800 MW of electricity. Originally built for flood control and irrigation, the Bureau added power after World War II. Other benefits also resulted. This system remains one of the largest hydroelectric projects in the world.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Building a hydroelectric plant for creating energy from water, may not provide your best option for electricity. The cost and environmental impact may outweigh benefits gained. You also may not have enough physical space for a full hydroelectric plant. Study your options carefully when considering power from dams.

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The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Alternating current

Alternating current is the electric current generated by water-powered turbines in hydroelectricity. Alternating current (AC) has the electrical current flowing through a circuit that changes direction several times per second. The first AC hydroelectric plant was built at Niagara Falls by Nikola Tesla, and this format generally replaced the use of direct current (DC), which was advocated by Thomas Edison.

I recommend: The Energy Information Administration provides basic facts about alternating current and hydroelectric renewable energy. Sierra Solar Systems looks at the differences between alternating current and direct current, and how they apply to hydroelectric renewable energy.

High-voltage direct current (HVDC)

In parts of the world where the electricity generated by hydroelectric power plants must travel over great distances, high-voltage direct current (HVDC) can be used as an alternative to AC transmission. Modern HVDC technology is safer and more efficient than earlier forms of DC.

I recommend: Read a Transmission & Distribution World article about the use of HVDC for hydroelectric power transmission in rural China.

Bypass system

The bypass system provides a route that enables fish to swim freely through the dam without getting caught in the blades of hydroelectric turbines.

I recommend: The Foundation for Water and Energy Education reports on the balance of hydroelectric renewable energy, as well as developments in fish and wildlife preservation.

Cavitation

Cavitation is the formation of bubbles in the water as it flows through the hydroelectric turbine.

I recommend: The U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation explains the effects of cavitation on hydraulic turbines.

Hydropower turbine

Hydropower turbines spin with the force of water, which converts to energy with the help of electrical generators that are connected to the turbines. Impulse turbines and reaction turbines are two main types.

I recommend: The U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy page presents the differences between impulse and reaction hydropower turbines. The Idaho National Laboratory also explains the benefits of hydropower turbines. Hydro Green Energy features information about hydroelectric turbine technology.

Wicket gates

Wicket gates are devices that control and carry water flow through the passage of hydropower turbines.

I recommend: Alden Research Laboratory explains hydroelectric turbine design strategies, which include wicket gates testing. Bioblend examines environmentally safe lubricants for wicket gates used in dams.