Hydropower is a renewable energy resource that utilizes Earth’s water cycle to generate electricity. The movement of water flow downstream in lakes and rivers creates kinetic energy that id converted into electricity. The energy generated by running water has been utilized for many decades. The well-established hydroelectric power plant consists of a high dam built across a large river to create a reservoir and a station where the process of energy conversion to electricity occurs. The initial step in the generation of energy in a hydropower plant is the collection of run-off of seasonal rain water, snow in lakes, streams and rivers. All this water is collect in dams downstream. Then the water is made to falls through a dam into the hydropower plant and rotates a large wheel called a turbine. The turbine then converts the energy of falling water into mechanical energy to drive the generator. The electricity thus obtained is transferred to the communities through transmission lines. The water is then released back into the lakes, streams or rivers
About 26% of energy is contributed by hydro power to India. For India, the total capacity is more than 2 Lakh MW and so hold the 5th position for electricity generation in the world. The major electricity resources plant are thermal, hydro, nuclear and other renewable energy resources which includes solar, wind, geothermal, tidal, etc.
Growing focus toward adoption of renewable energy integration coupled with its wide applications range including water supply for irrigation and flood control will propel the hydropower market growth. Increasing demand for reliable and continuous electricity along with rising measures to reduce carbon footprints will stimulate global hydropower market.