ENERGY Newsletter
Harnessing Water To Make Hydroelectric Power
(Energy News - July 2010)
Hydro power is one of the nation's oldest sources of energy, but it's also a renewable energy source that many do not know a great deal about.
With 15 hydroelectric plants in six counties on the Wisconsin, Tomahawk, Peshtigo and Menominee rivers, WPS relies on hydro power to help meet the electric needs of customers.
How Does It Work?
Hydroelectric plants use water to make electricity. Although water and electricity can be a dangerous combination, in the generating process, water never comes in direct contact with electricity.
Hydro plants produce electricity in a similar way to coal-fired power plants. A power source turns a turbine, which turns an electric generator to produce electricity. While a coal plant uses steam to turn the turbine, a hydro plant uses falling water.
Most of the nation's large hydro plants are on the west coast, with more than 30% of the country's hydro power generated in Washington. Hydro power is less common in the Midwest where the rivers tend to be smaller and slower.
Hydro power has several other benefits. It is:
- A clean fuel source with no air pollution.
- Produced in the United States.
- Typically available on demand.
For More Information
Learn more about our hydroelectric plants.