Water energy

Water is an extremely cheap source of energy. It also leaves no waste. Hydropower is obtained by converting the energy of water into mechanical energy by using hydro turbines. Then, owing to hydro-generators, mechanical energy is converted into electricity. At present, hydropower is most often produced by using water with a high flow rate and difference in levels . Such conditions can be met by damming the upper level of water. Therefore, selecting the right location for a hydroelectric power plant is extremely important.

In order to increase the power of hydropower plants, reservoirs are built on rivers. They pile up water and thereby increase its potential energy. These tanks can also be used for other purposes, including regulation of the river flow, flood control reservoirs, drinking water sources. They often serve as areas for recreation and relaxation.

Both in Poland and in Europe, most of the locations with the optimal conditions for the hydroelectric power plants constructions, in which the energy is stored in the form of dammed water reservoirs, has already been used. For this reason, the development of hydropower in Poland is aimed at Small Hydroelectric Power Plants (MEW) - power stations with an installed capacity of not more than 5 MW. They can exploit the potential of small rivers, agricultural reservoirs, irrigation, water supply and sewage systems as well as metastatic channels. 

MEW do not pollute the environment and improve the quality and increase the supply of oxygen, which improves their ability to self-cleaning biological. Due to small size it can be installed in numerous places on small watercourses and are usually well- fitted into the landscape. Power stations of this type can be used for fire-fighting purposes, agricultural, small agricultural industry plants, land drainage , recreation , water sports and drinking water, as well as the regulation of water. Their technical simplicity results in high reliability, long service life and low investment, therefore they can be designed and built within 1-2 years, and after the completion of the project they require small staff and can be controlled remotely.

Hydropower is much cheaper than the energy gained from burning fossil fuels or nuclear energy. The costs of generating electricity by hydropower plants are about 8 times lower than conventional solutions. Hydroelectric power plants do not produce any waste, therefore they do not pollute the environment.

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