Hydraulic Energy or Hydro Power, is what is produced by the water which is stored in reservoirs and lakes at a high altitude, and because of that it has gravitational potential energy.

If at a given moment it falls to a lower level, this energy is transformed into kinetic energy and afterwards into electrical energy in the hydroelectric plant.

Numerous water-wheels, watermills, washing and grinding mills, sawmills, textile mills and other water-driven installations are still today using the power of water, helping local economies in many regions to prosper in a fully enviroment-friendly manner.

But like everything in life, the Hydro Power and their installations has advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages

• It's such a clean energy source.

• It doesn't waste products and it is easy to store.

• The water stored in reservoirs situated at altitude permits the regulation of the flow of the river.

Disadvantages

• The construction of hydroelectric plants is very expensive and it needs large network of power cables.

• Reservoirs also mean the loss of productive soil and fauna due to the flooding of their habitat.

• They also cause a decrease in the flow of the rivers and streams below the dam and alter the quality of the waters.                                                     

But even if it has disadvantages, hydraulic energy is a very clean energy and helps to care the enviroment.