Hydroelectricity
From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hydroelectricity is electricity that is made by the movement of water. It is usually made with dams that block a river or collect water that is pumped there. When the water is "let go" the huge pressure behind the dam forces the water down shafts that lead to a turbine, this causes the turbine to turn, and electricity is produced.
Advantages of hydroelectricity are that the way in which electricity is produced harms the environment less than fossil fuels like oil. Hydroelectricity is also useful when electricity is needed very quickly. Water that has been stored in a dam can be "let go" when needed, so the energy needed can be made quickly.
Disadvantages are that dams can harm the land and animals around them and some people say that they just do not look good.
