How+it+works

**Hydroelectricity relies on falling water that flows due to the Earth's hydrological cycle. In a nutshell, hydropower plants use water flowing through a dam that then turns a generator to create electricity. Now let us take a close look at "conventional hydropower plants". The main component of such a power plant is a dam that holds back water, thus creating a reservoir. At the intake of the dam (where water flows into the plant), control gates open and allow gravity to force reservoir water through a penstock (a pipe) into a turbine. Pressure builds up as water flows through the narrow passage, subsequently causing a forceful impact on blades of the turbine. These revolving blades are attached to a generator through a shaft and trigger the movement of magnets within the generator. Large magnets revolve around copper coils and move electrons, generating an alternating current flow (AC). After that, a transformer within the power plant converts the AC into a higher-voltage current which flows through power lines to distribute energy. Lastly, the used water discharges through tailraces (pipes) and returns to the river downstream** 
 * How It Works **

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