Возобновляемые источники энергии
Что такое возобновляемая энергия? - the United Nations
Возобновляемая энергия – это энергия, получаемая из природных источников, которые пополняются со скоростью, превышающей скорость ее потребления.
экологичным вариантом
Инфраструктура, необходимая для получения гидроэнергии, также может оказывать неблагоприятное воздействие на экосистемы. По этой причине многие считают малые гидроэлектростанции более <anchor>экологичным вариантом</anchor>, особенно подходящим для населения отдаленных районов.
Hydropower
Hydropower

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![Hydropower](/-/media/Irena/Modules-Content/Header-Images/Hydropower-sth-2x-3200x1210.jpg?w=533&h=201&as=1&bc=ffffff&cc=0&hash=51182227C7DAE904AC65B528199514F5)

# Hydropower

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4. Hydropower

#### It may also interest you:

- [Collaborative Framework on Hydropower](/How-we-work/Collaborative-frameworks/Hydropower)

Hydropower is energy derived from flowing water. More than 2,000 years ago, the ancient Greeks used waterpower to run wheels for grinding grain; today it is among the most cost-effective means of generating electricity and is often the preferred method where available. In Norway, for example, 99% of electricity comes from hydropower. The world’s largest hydropower plant is the 22.5 gigawatt Three Gorges Dam in China. It produces 80 to 100 terawatt-hours per year, enough to supply between 70 million and 80 million households.

Small-scale micro-hydropower projects can make a big difference to communities in remote locations.

The basic principle of hydropower is using water to drive turbines. Hydropower plants consist of two basic configurations: with dams and reservoirs, or without. Hydropower dams with a large reservoir can store water over short or long periods to meet peak demand. The facilities can also be divided into smaller dams for different purposes, such as night or day use, seasonal storage, or pumped-storage reversible plants, for both pumping and electricity generation. Hydropower without dams and reservoirs means producing at a smaller scale, typically from a facility designed to operate in a river without interfering in its flow. For this reason, many consider small-scale hydro a more environmentally-friendly option.

## Hydropower Data

Hydropower without dams and reservoirs means producing at a smaller scale, typically from a facility designed to operate in a river without interfering in its flow. For this reason, many consider small-scale hydro a more environmentally-friendly option.

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## Related publications

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[**Renewable energy benefits: Leveraging local capacity for small-scale hydropower**](/Publications/2023/Sep/Renewable-energy-benefits-Leveraging-local-capacity-for-small-scale-hydropower)

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- ![](/-/media/Irena/Images/publications/2021/Dec/IRENA_Africa_Hydropower_Database_2021.jpg?w=66&h=94&as=1&bc=ffffff&cc=1&hash=009D6F0047E755F877722164B5DCF50F)

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[**Off-grid renewable energy statistics 2019**](/Publications/2019/Dec/Off-grid-renewable-energy-statistics-2019)

- ![](/-/media/Irena/Images/publications/2015/Feb/IRENA_ETSAP_Tech_Brief_E06_Hydropower.jpg?w=66&h=94&as=1&bc=ffffff&cc=1&hash=AE3D2D8BFE1B9C2149214BFD576B7284)

[**Hydropower**](/Publications/2015/Feb/Hydropower)

- ![](/-/media/Irena/Images/publications/2012/Jun/RE_Technologies_Cost_Analysis_HYDROPOWER.jpg?w=66&h=94&as=1&bc=ffffff&cc=1&hash=F7BC0C16035EDF7DAF30109290FEF511)

[**Renewable Energy Cost Analysis - Hydropower**](/Publications/2012/Jun/Renewable-Energy-Cost-Analysis---Hydropower)


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