OverviewGenerating methodsHistoryFuture potentialSizes, types and capacities of hydroelectric facilitiesPropertiesHydro power by countryEconomics
Most hydroelectric power comes from the potential energy of dammed water driving a water turbine and generator. The power extracted from the water depends on the volume and on the difference in height between the source and the water''s outflow. This height difference is called the head. A large pipe (the "penstock") delivers water from the reservoir to the turbine.