Question

Describe a renewable process by which electrical energy is obtained from the energy stored in water.

Answer 1

A hydroelectric dam converts the potential energy stored in a water reservoir behind a dam to mechanical energy—mechanical energy is also known as kinetic energy. As the water flows down through the dam its kinetic energy is used to turn a turbine.

Answer 2

These types of power plants, called thermoelectric or “thermal” plants, boil water to produce steam for generating electricity. Water is also central to hydroelectric power plants, which use dams and other approaches to capture the energy in moving water.