There are several types of hydropower systems. The hydropower turbine as we know it began in France way back in the 1700s.
- Energy storage systems are common in Canada, where a hydroelectric dam creates a reservoir that releases water through turbines as needed. By storing kinetic energy like this, the hydropower system essentially acts like a battery that you can dispatch (use) when electricity is needed.
- Run-of-river systems use the river’s own current to push water through a turbine to generate electricity.
- Pumped-storage systems pump water from one reservoir to a second reservoir at a higher elevation to use at another time, often using other sources of renewable energy generation like wind or solar. In this way, pumped-storage systems also act like a battery.
Most hydroelectric power facilities in Canada work by flowing water through a pipe to a turbine, which the flowing water rotates. The moving turbine spins a generator, which results in electricity being generated and sent to the power grid.