The power derived from the energy of falling water is called as Hydropower or water power. It can be used for many purposes in irrigation, mechanical devices such as watermills etc.

There are many forms of hydro power which includes water wheels, hydroelectric energy, tidal energy, tidal stream power and wave power.

Flowing water creates energy that can be captured and turned into electricity which is called as hydroelectric power or hydropower. Hydroelectric power provides almost one-fifth of the world's electricity. Hydroelectric power is a means of conserving the energy. Hydropower produces essentially no carbon dioxide or other harmful emissions, as compared to burning fossil fuels. Hydroelectric power is less expensive compared to the electricity generated from fossil fuel or nuclear energy.

Hydroelectric power plant uses a dam on a river to store water in a reservoir. Water released from the reservoir flows through a turbine, spinning it, which in turn activates a generator to produce electricity. Hydropower is also readily available because, engineers can control the flow of water through the turbines to produce electricity on demand. The advantage of reservoirs is that, it will offer recreational opportunities, such as swimming and boating. Hydropower plants can cause low dissolved oxygen levels in the water, which is harmful to river habitats is one of its main disadvantage.

The biggest hydro plant in the United States is located at the Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River in northern Washington.

Hydro Power Industry Current Trends

As per the reports given by GBI Research, the global hydro power market is forecast to rise at a CAGR of 3.6% between 2011 and 2020, while global hydro power generation is expected to rise at a CAGR of 3.5% for the period 2011-2020.

Major Hydro Power Industry Players

Some of the Hydro Power Industry players are; China Three Gorges Corporation, China Datang Corporation, Dongfang Electric Corporation Limited, China Huadian Corporation, China Huaneng Group CorporationBharat Heavy Electricals Limited, The Tata Power Company, Jaiprakash Associates Limited, NHPC Limited, Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited, Comision Federal de Electricidad, Andritz Hydro GmbH, Agder Energi AS, E-CO Energi AS, Elkem AS Norsk Hydro ASA, Statkraft AS.