Where does this come from, and can I check it?

Gravitational potential energy of dammed water rotates massive hydraulic turbines and generators. The figure is taken from United States Geological Survey, which is linked in full on this page. Every fact on Mondo Knows names its source rather than repeating an unsourced claim.

Is this really a technology fact?

Yes. It sits on the Technology shelf, one of 1,090 sourced facts grouped into space, animals, the human body, history, science and more. Category pages collect every fact in the same field.

What else can I read about it?

The links under the fact point to a quiz, game, puzzle or calculator on the same subject, and the shelf below shows related facts. The wording here is original, and quoted phrases are marked as quotations.

Mondo Knows Facts

Hydroelectric power stations turn flowing water into electrical current

Gravitational potential energy of dammed water rotates massive hydraulic turbines and generators

Hydroelectric facilities generate electricity by routing dammed river water through intake penstocks to turn hydraulic water turbines. The spinning turbine turns a heavy rotor inside a stator to induce alternating electrical current. Hydroelectric power accounts for the majority of renewable electricity produced globally.

2013-10-03 Fierza Hydroelectric Power Station, Albania 0632 — You may re-use this image under the terms of the license using the following reference: Image: Wikipedia / Tobias Klenze · CC BY 3.0 · licence · source

Where this comes from

United States Geological Survey

Facts that can change over time are reviewed and updated. If something here looks wrong, Mondo would rather know than be confidently incorrect.

Go further

Technology trivia Electricity Cost Calculator

More facts like this

Modern wind turbines generate electricity using aerodynamic rotor bladesAirflow turning aerodynamic lift blades drives a generator to produce high-voltage power Regenerative braking converts kinetic energy back into stored electricityElectric motors reverse operation during deceleration to act as generators charging the battery Smart electrical grids use digital sensors to optimize power distributionTwo-way communication between utility stations and smart meters balances renewable energy loads The modern silicon solar cell was invented at Bell Labs in 1954Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller, and Gerald Pearson built the first practical photovoltaic solar cell Lithium-ion batteries were commercialised by Sony in 1991John Goodenough, Stanley Whittingham, and Akira Yoshino received the Nobel Prize for their development Nuclear energy first generated usable electricity in Idaho in 1951The EBR-I experimental breeder reactor lit four incandescent light bulbs using nuclear fission power

Tags: hydroelectric, energy, turbines

Hydroelectric power stations turn flowing water into electrical current: the short answers

Where does this come from, and can I check it?: Gravitational potential energy of dammed water rotates massive hydraulic turbines and generators. The figure is taken from United States Geological Survey, which is linked in full on this page. Every fact on Mondo Knows names its source rather than repeating an unsourced claim.
Is this really a technology fact?: Yes. It sits on the Technology shelf, one of 1,090 sourced facts grouped into space, animals, the human body, history, science and more. Category pages collect every fact in the same field.
What else can I read about it?: The links under the fact point to a quiz, game, puzzle or calculator on the same subject, and the shelf below shows related facts. The wording here is original, and quoted phrases are marked as quotations.