HYDRO

Water wheels have been used for centuries to utilise the energy in falling water to drive grinding mills, pumps and other devices. With the invention of hydro turbines, power from water can be used to drive an electricity generator. Different types of turbines are available and the optimum choice depends strongly on the head and the water flow rate. The most environmentally-sound hydro system does not impact the amount or pattern of water flow that normally exists in the river or stream; such 'run-of-river systems use special turbines placed directly in the river or stream to capture the energy in the water flow. Energy generation is greater if the flow of water is falling from a height through the turbine.

Hydro systems do not create any pollution when they are operating and generally offer highly reliable power. They generally have a long life and very low running/maintenance costs.