Hydroelectric power is a technology which produces electricity via hydropower, or the energy released by moving water, such as for instance water moving through the course of a river or falling downhill. In the United States today, most hydroelectric power is generated by water flowing downhill, and most of this downhill flow is achieved via the construction of artificial dams. The dams are constructed so as to engender sufficient water outflow volume by way of creating a significant “head” or, that is, the difference in height between the water’s source (or crest) and the water’s outflow.

A significant enough “head” is necessary to produce a sufficiently useful flow of energy from the hydroelectric power source. This is why dams constructed for the purpose of creating hydroelectric power are built as high as is feasible. Within these dams there are turbines which receive the force of the water’s flow, and the turning of the blades of the turbines generates the electrical current which is transferred to long-distance power lines and transformed into electricity for use in homes and offices.

In addition to the dams there are some tidal harnesses which have been constructed. These draw electrical power from the flow of the tide along a coastal area. In the United States, there is a heightened interest in creating many more small, unobtrusive tidal flow hydroelectric power generators in rivers and large streams which would be used just for generating local electricity. In Canada, there is so much electricity generated by hydroelectric facilities that they simply say “hydro” to refer to any public electricity utility, even nuclear power. Norway and Iceland also generate nearly all of their citizens’ needed electricity by way of hydroelectric power.

North America has the greatest hydroelectric power capacity. Canada is the world’s leading nation in that regard, and the United States is the world’s second leading nation.

Except in nations that have a proportionate abundance of the right natural resources (i.e. a lot of water), hydroelectric power is used to handle the supplying of electricity during high peak loads. Today’s greatest single interest in harnessing more hydroelectric power resides in the fact that it is a renewable source, or “alternative source”, of electricity, since obviously the planet will never run out of water and it doesn’t matter if the water utilized is potable or not.

The big concern about using more hydroelectric power is that it may disrupt ecosystems too much if more facilities (especially dams) are installed. A secondary concern is that water demand for hydroelectric facilities sometimes conflicts with irrigation demands.

The Greeks were using hydroelectric power to turn water-wheels for the grinding of grain over 2,000 years ago. Hydroelectric power was “rediscovered” in the 18th century in the U.S. and western Europe.

The first modern hydroelectric dam was completed in 1882 on the Fox River in Appleton, Wisconsin in the United States and could generate 12.5 kW of electrical power. It was based upon the ideas of American inventor Lester Allan Pelton, who invented a jet-free water turbine in 1880.

Just about everyone is looking for a way to cut down on energy costs and save their business money. Here are some ways to improve the energy efficiency in commercial buildings:

It might seem like common sense, but  most commercial buildings do not need to have their lights and air on at all times. If your building allows, and when it isn’t being used, make sure the energy system is turned off.

As the season changes, so should the temperature of the commercial building. To maintain a comfortable, energy-efficient temperature, set rooms to 75 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer months and 68 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter ones. Adjust rarely used spaces, like bathrooms, to 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

It’s important to remember to change the air filters in a commercial building to save energy. Paying attention to proper filter maintenance will help prevent wasting energy and overworking the equipment.

A room’s temperature, air movement and humidity affect energy efficiency a great deal.   Using fans can help reduce your business’ need to turn up the air conditioner as the fan moves the air around the room.

Not only does turning off the lights in areas that aren’t being used decrease the energy consumption in a building, but replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light globes or even better yet  LED or high efficiency fluorescent lamps can reduce the amount of heat in the room as well as save money.

Occupancy or vacancy sensors can also help reduce the time lights are on.  These sensors adjust accordingly when there is no movement in a room, shutting off the lights.  A full commercial Lighting Control System can keep your business from wasting energy through the monitoring of how light a room actually is and through daylight harvesting.

Being mindful of energy efficiency in commercial businesses means preventing energy waste in any way possible. Investing in energy efficient office electronics and equipment can lessen the amount of heat that’s emitted from these appliances. Turning off the equipment completely can help reduce savings as well.  Also purchasing equipment with features such as “energy saver” can help reduce energy use.

A large amount of heat is lost in the winter and gained in the summer through a building’s windows. In order to reduce this energy inefficiency, a commercial building can double-glaze their windows, or purchase thermal window coverings, if allowed.

As far as a long-term solution is concerned, insulating a commercial building can help lessen the amount of time and energy spent on cooling and heating systems. Insulating ceilings, walls, pipes and roof spaces can be incredibly useful. Energy efficient electricians can help.

A burnout, in electrical terms, is a drop in voltage across an electricity supply system. It can be spontaneous (unintentional) caused by disturbances in the grid, or intentionally caused during emergencies when the load needs to be reduced in order to prevent blackouts. The lower voltage causes lights to dim, leading to the name “burn out”.

Spontaneous burnouts usually cause voltage to drop for only a short period, while the intentional ones can have effects lasting anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours.

A burnout can prevent some electrical devices from getting harmed by power loads, but others can actually get damaged severely. Here are some facts that you should be aware of: