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Hydropower, also known as hydroelectricity, is a semi-renewable resource that uses the flow of water to generate electricity. We categorize this resource as semi-renewable, because it has to be carefully managed to ensure we are not using it faster than it can be replenished. There are two major approaches to generating electricity from hydropower:

Storage hydroelectric systems store water for later use, which makes them a versatile resource for the grid. For example, large hydroelectric dams can be sited on rivers with valleys, creating an artificial lake or reservoir. Turbines and generators in the powerhouse generate electricity when water flows from higher-to-lower elevation. The six largest electricity generation facilities in the world are all conventional storage hydropower facilities.Run-of-river systems are generally smaller and use the river’s natural flow to generate electricity, so there is no water being stored and less disruption to the natural river system.

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