Time Line
2,000 years ago: The Greeks used hydro power to turn water wheels for grinding wheat into flour.
1800's: English scientists William Nicholson and Sir Anthony Carlisle discovered that applying electric current to water. Water will produce hydrogen and oxygen gases. This later got the name "electrolysis."
1882: The worlds first hydroelectric power plant began work on the Fox River in Appleton, Wisconsin.
1886: At this time there was 45 water-powered electric plants operating in the United States and Canada.
1889: 200 electric plants in the United States use water power for some or all generation.
1940's: Hydro power provides 40% of electrical generation conventional capacity tripled in the U.S since the 1920's.
Now a days: Hydro power currently accounts for about 20% of the worlds electricity supply and about 150 countries have the potential to be using hydro power, developing countries that are without electricity are also including in having this one day. One thing is that environmental concerns and cost makes the construction of the hydro power prohibitive.
1800's: English scientists William Nicholson and Sir Anthony Carlisle discovered that applying electric current to water. Water will produce hydrogen and oxygen gases. This later got the name "electrolysis."
1882: The worlds first hydroelectric power plant began work on the Fox River in Appleton, Wisconsin.
1886: At this time there was 45 water-powered electric plants operating in the United States and Canada.
1889: 200 electric plants in the United States use water power for some or all generation.
1940's: Hydro power provides 40% of electrical generation conventional capacity tripled in the U.S since the 1920's.
Now a days: Hydro power currently accounts for about 20% of the worlds electricity supply and about 150 countries have the potential to be using hydro power, developing countries that are without electricity are also including in having this one day. One thing is that environmental concerns and cost makes the construction of the hydro power prohibitive.