Hydroelectricity

Hydroelectricity (or hydropower) is a renewable energy source that relies on the movement of water to generate electricity. It harnesses the kinetic (motion) energy from rivers, streams, and waterfalls to generate electricity.

As large volumes of flowing water are required, hydroelectric schemes are usually located on or near a water source in areas with heavy rainfall and mountainous landscapes. Many of Queensland’s hydroelectricity schemes are located on gorges or on natural waterways, such as creeks and rivers.

How hydroelectricity produces energy

Moving water produces kinetic energy. Like wind farms, hydroelectricity schemes use kinetic energy to spin turbines. The mechanical energy generated from these spinning turbines is converted into electricity, which is fed into our grid.

How hydroelectricity is different from pumped hydro

Pumped hydro and hydroelectricity are similar as they both use the force of water to spin turbines and generate electricity. Hydroelectricity uses the natural flow of water, e.g. on a river.

Some pumped hydro systems use the natural flow of water (open loop), but some use electricity to pump water from low to high elevation reservoirs (closed loop).

As well as generating electricity, pumped hydro schemes can operate as a battery to store renewable electricity.

Hydroelectricity in Queensland

Hydroelectricity has been used in Queensland since 1891, when the South West outback town of Thargomindah used a water turbine to power streetlights.

Queensland has 7 ‘run-of-river’ hydro schemes generating 1.6 MW to 88 MW. You can find these hydro schemes on the Electricity generation map.

Hydroelectricity’s efficiency

Hydroelectricity is a proven and efficient energy technology. More than 150 countries use some form of hydro energy, producing over 15% of the world’s electricity supply.

Queensland’s hydroelectricity facilities have low to no emissions, very low operating costs and have historically been located close to central power nodes.

More information

• Learn about other renewable energy technologies that make up Queensland’s SuperGrid.