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Water is a valuable source of energy. When fuels such as coal,
oil, and also nuclear fuels are burned up as an energy source,
they can't be reused. Water, however, is a renewable energy
resource, being able to be used countless times. Earth's constant
flow of water can be harnessed to produce useful mechanical and
electrical power.
Water is used by people for lighting homes and running factories,
by using it to produce electric power. In electric power stations,
coal or other fuel is burned to transform water into steam, supplying
energy to run machines that produce electricity.
Hydroelectric power stations use energy of falling water from dams
and waterfalls to produce energy as it flows past and spins turbines.
Hydroelectric power is now used to generate electricity, rather than for
mechanical energy. Many hydroelectric plants are combined with fuel-consuming
power plants. Then, if the hydroelectric plant is affected by drought,
the thermal plant can supply backup power.
Less common ways of obtaining energy from water are:
- Tidal
- The use of ocean tides.
- Waves
- The harnessing of the energy of moving ocean waves.
- Thermal
- The use of heat from the sea.
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