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Water Energy

There are a few types of water energy available today and many that are in development. The main way water is used to produce energy is by creating a dam and using the subsequent water pressure to drive large electric turbines. Some of the largest dams can produce incredible amounts of power and although it is less destructive than burning coal and oil, it still has a tendency to destroy natural ecosystems and habitats.

Water energy can be harnessed without the large amount of habitat destruction that occurs when dams are built. The main argument against creating dams is that the water is taken from the bottom of the manmade lake where it is cold and dark. Most of the rivers serving these lakes are warmer when they flow in than when they flow out so there is a different environment created downstream.

Water energy can be created by boiling the water which creates steam. Keep that steam sealed inside something and it will build up a huge amount of pressure which has been used to power locomotives and boats for hundreds of years although coal was typically burned to heat the water to boiling so the green factor is nil. Fuel cells are powered by hydrogen and the by product is water which can then be boiled from the heat generated from the fuel cell which may result in an incredibly efficient process.

 

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