General
Hydroelectric power (hydropower) is electricity produced from the energy of flowing or falling water. In a typical hydropower plant, water released from a reservoir or running through a river spins a turbine, which drives a generator to produce electricity. Hydroelectric dams can provide large-scale, steady power and can be ramped up or down to meet demand. As a renewable energy source, hydropower generates electricity without burning fossil fuels, emitting minimal greenhouse gases. However, hydropower development requires appropriate geographic conditions (rivers, elevation change) and must consider environmental and social impacts like habitat disruption or relocation of communities.