The flow of water
About two thirds of the Earth's surface is covered with water. In a constant cycle, it flows into the valley in streams and rivers until it finally reaches the oceans, evaporates thanks to the power of the sun, rises, and falls out of the sky again as precipitation in the form of rain and snow..
Schematic representation of the cycle
This water cycle is an inexhaustible source of renewable energy that humans have already been using for themselves for thousands of years. The invention of the electric generator made it possible to convert the power of water directly into electricity for the first time. Different power plants are used depending on the local conditions, the usable drop height, and the amount of water available. However, the underlying functional principle is always the same. Water runs over a turbine and sets it in rotary motion. This rotary motion generates electricity in the generator. The water is then returned to the natural cycle and not consumed.