Hydroelectric

Hydroelectric generation is "fuelled" by water flows. Most hydroelectric stations use either the natural drop and flow of the river or build a dam across the river to raise the water level and provide the drop needed to create a driving force to operate the generators. ATCO Power’s hydroelectric facility on the Oldman River uses an existing dam infrastructure to create the drop necessary to generate electricity. Water flows through an intake pipe. The flowing water turns a turbine, which rotates a generator and produces electricity. 

By holding water in a reservoir, the potential to generate electricity is stored. Water can be held in the reservoir and released through the turbines to generate electricity when required.

Once the water has gone through the hydro generator, it rejoins the main stream of the river.