| People have been using rivers and streams to | | | | So, before looking in detail at the sort of micro hydro |
| generate energy for centuries - making water power | | | | system you could use for your home, it's worth |
| one of the oldest forms of renewable energy. But | | | | making sure your house is suitable. And that means |
| did you know that, in the right kind of location, | | | | asking yourself the following questions:o Is your |
| houses and even communities can run entirely on | | | | home close to a water source, like a river or stream |
| hydroelectricity: electricity made by flowing water? | | | | - or perhaps on an old mill site with a weir and |
| How does hydroelectricity work? | | | | sluice?o Is the water source close to a connection to |
| In simple terms, hydro-power systems use the | | | | the national electricity grid?o If you're thinking about |
| kinetic energy in flowing water to turn a turbine to | | | | replacing conventional electricity with hydro power, |
| generate electricity. Even a small stream can produce | | | | are there any big seasonal variations in water flow |
| enough kinetic energy to turn a turbine. The amount | | | | through your source? If so, do you have a back-up |
| of energy available depends on the amount of water | | | | power system? |
| flowing per second and the height - or head - that it | | | | Renewable energy technologies like hydroelectricity |
| falls from; the amount produced depends on how | | | | systems are a way for you to save money over the |
| efficiently the system converts water power into | | | | long term and help prevent climate change. They can |
| electrical power. And good news: micro hydro | | | | work alongside - and help you use less - energy |
| systems are efficient enough to turn around half of | | | | generated from fossil fuels such as gas, oil and coal. |
| the energy available into electricity. | | | | And unlike fossil fuels they produce little or no carbon |
| Because of its reliance on a nearby source of water, | | | | dioxide (CO2): the harmful gas that's one of the |
| not everyone will be able to tap into hydroelectricity. | | | | biggest causes of climate change. |