Hydropower and Tidal Power

Hydroelectricity

Hydroelectricity is well established as one of the principle energy-producing technologies in the world, providing an estimated 20% of the world’s electricity. Hydroelectricity schemes are normally the size of small power stations and are highly efficient, reliable and long lasting. Although there are plenty of opportunities for large schemes generally the required dams and lakes have a significant and often unacceptable impact on the environment.

Numerous devices for extracting energy from small and medium size rivers and streams, without the need for dams, have emerged in recent years. This makes hydroelectricity cogeneration a realistic opportunity for organisations that border rivers.

Tidal Power
The gravitational forces between the earth and the moon cause them to rotate around one another in a 28 day cycle and the resulting centrifugal forces causes the seas to ebb and flow as tide. A variety of technologies exist to convert tidal energy into electricity. Often these are deployed as large scale projects such as the Severn Estuary site, and although small scale tidal cogeneration technology does exist, it has limited commercial cogeneration appeal due to the more often than not remoteness of suitable tidal capture sites. 

Wave Energy
A variety of designs for devices for extracting energy from waves have been proposed and some even trialled. The opportunities for cogeneration are severely limited.

Further Information

British Hydropower Association

National Hydropower Association

How hydropower plants work