One of the most promising advances in hydropower is marine and hydrokinetic (MHK) technology. These devices capture energy from the natural motion of ocean water, such as waves or tides. MHK power sources have the potential to generate more than 538 terawatt-hours of electricity a year, enough to power millions of homes.
While most hydroelectricity sources work with freshwater, MHK technologies draw power from the sea. This vast body of water presents a huge potential power supply, both from its sheer size and from the number of people living close to it.
The most common way to generate hydropower is with turbines — either in a dam or other, smaller systems. River currents turn these turbines, and this motion generates electricity. It's a clever system, but many older machines are relatively inefficient and can harm wildlife.
Organizations such as the Army Corps of Engineers are developing safer and more effective turbine technologies. These redesigned systems can replace the less efficient ones already in use, as well as non-powered dams. This process would save money, as it modifies existing systems instead of building new ones.
Not all hydroelectricity comes from dams. Recent advances in technology allow for modular hydropower, or smaller, spread-out systems that don't affect bodies of water as greatly. These systems consist of individual modules spread throughout a river that together produce electricity comparable to a dam.
Modular hydropower uses river currents to generate energy without impeding the flow of the river or otherwise disrupting the habitat. Because of their smaller size, companies can even install modular systems in city waterwavs like sewers. This convenience would allow even landlocked cities to benefit from hydroelectricity.
Another alternative source of hydroelectricity is pumped-storage hydropower (PSH). PSH plants work by pumping water to an elevated system, which can then release the water onto turbines at any time. This method allows PSH facilities to generate electricity selectively to meet current needs.
Traditional PSH systems are expensive and limited in where they can operate. But new technologies allow PSH to work with underground water sources, which means companies can employ them in more areas. These new systems are also more cost-effective than older models.
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