Introduction hydroelectric Power what is it?

CONCLUSION
Reclamation is helping to meet the needs of our country, and one of the most pressing needs is 
the growing demand for electric power. Reclamation powerplants annually generate more than 
42 billion kWh of hydroelectric energy, which is enough to meet the annual residential needs of 
14 million people or the energy equivalent of more than 80 million barrels of crude oil. 
The deregulation of wholesale electricity sales and the imposition of requirements for open 
transmission access are resulting in dramatic changes in the business of electric power 
production in the United States. This restructuring increases the importance of clean, reliable 
energy sources such as hydropower. 
Hydropower is important from an operational standpoint as it needs no "ramp-up" time, as many 
combustion technologies do. Hydropower can increase or decrease the amount of power it is 
supplying to the system almost instantly to meet shifting demand. With this important 
load-following capability, peaking capacity and voltage stability attributes, hydropower plays a 
significant part in ensuring reliable electricity service and in meeting customer needs in a market 
driven industry. In addition, hydroelectric pumped storage facilities are the only significant way 
currently available to store electricity.
Hydropower
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s ability to provide peaking power, load following, and frequency control helps 
protect against system failures that could lead to the damage of equipment and even brown or 
blackouts. Hydropower, besides being emissions-free and renewable has the above operating 
benefits that provide enhanced value to the electric system in the form of efficiency, security, 
and most important, reliability. The electric benefits provided by hydroelectric resources are of 
vital importance to the success of our National experiment to deregulate the electric industry.
Water is one of our most valuable resources, and hydropower makes use of this renewable 
treasure. As a National leader in managing hydropower, Reclamation is helping the Nation meet 
its present and future energy needs in a manner that protects the environment by improving 
hydropower projects and operating them more effectively. 

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